How Long Should Deck Stain Dry Before Walking On It?
Depending on how exposed your deck is to the elements, you’ll most likely find yourself staining it at least every two to three years. From snowy winters to hot summers to the probable stormy days in between, your deck can take a pretty serious beating throughout the year. Eventually, that adds up.
When it comes time to stain your deck, a bit of planning is necessary. On top of waiting for the right time of year, you’ll also need to allot a certain amount of time aside where you won’t be able to walk across the deck’s surface. Now you may be asking, “how much time?”
The drying time for your deck stain depends mostly on the temperature, weather conditions, and exposure to sunlight. On an average day, it should be dry to the touch within about an hour or two. That said, you should wait approximately four to six hours before walking across it with shoes. You should also test the surface with bare feet before you do that.
In this article, we’ll talk about why you should wait to walk on it, how the weather affects the drying time of your deck stain and when you can furnish it among other things. Let’s dive in!
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Why is it Important to Wait Before Walking on a Newly Stained Deck?
Staining your deck is a time-consuming process, and it’s not cheap either. That said, you’re going to want to complete the job correctly the first time around to avoid having to redo everything sooner than necessary. This includes waiting until the stain is completely dry before walking across it.
Walking across a freshly stained deck too soon can disrupt the curing process, which will cause the stain not to adhere to the wood properly. And that basically means your deck will be left unprotected against the elements.
Before you try walking over the deck with shoes on, you should test it with your bare feet. This will give you a better idea of if the surface is completely dry without posing the risk of scuffing the surface.
The drying times for deck stain is not an exact science, which we’ll get more into in the section below. That’s why it’s always better to err on the side of caution rather than permanently messing up the stain job.
How Will Different Conditions Impact Deck Stain Drying Times?
Depending on what it’s like outside, you can stain your deck during the day or in the evening. The ideal temperature for staining a deck is between 50- and 90-degrees Fahrenheit, so your best bet is to do it during the springtime or fall.
Before you begin staining, you also need to make sure you have at least one day afterwards without rain—though two or more days is even better. Here’s what different conditions can do to your deck stain:
- Too hot. When the weather is too hot, your deck stain will dry too quickly. While this may seem ideal, it’s actually an issue. If the stain dries too fast, it won’t have enough time to properly penetrate the wood, so it won’t be fully protected.
- Too cold. Temperatures cooler than 50 degrees will cause your deck stain to dry much slower and negatively impact the curing process. If the temperature gets too cold, the deck stain won’t dry at all. Instead, it can freeze over and cause the wood to expand.
- Too sunny. Direct sunlight can cause your deck stain to flash dry, which basically means certain areas will dry much quicker than others, causing blotchy spots and uneven penetration.
- Too moist. Both wet wood and humid air can lead to slow dry times and issues with adhesion to the surface. This is why it’s important to avoid rain and humid summer days when it comes to completing this project.
- Too windy. Wind isn’t going to pose much of an issue to the drying process, but it can blow leaves and debris onto your deck while it’s drying, which will either completely stick to the surface or leave unattractive imprints.
When Can I Move Furniture Back on My Deck?
Walking across your newly finished deck is one thing. Placing items on it is another. When it comes to decorating your deck, you should definitely not do it on the same day as staining. The object you’re planning to place on the deck will determine just how long you should wait. We’re going to talk about both light and heavy items, so you don’t mess up your new deck stain.
Light Items
For lightweight furniture and other items, you should wait at least a full day before putting them on the deck. This will ensure the stain is dry enough to withstand the weight without getting damaged. Some examples of light deck furnishings include…
- Outdoor rugs
- Plastic chairs
- Plastic tables
- Small potted plants
…and more!
Heavy Items
For heavier items, you’ll want to wait much longer. You should really avoid putting anything heavy back on your deck for about a week at a minimum. Otherwise, they can stick to the deck’s surface and peel the stain away once you try to move them. This includes things like…
- Grills
- Planters
- Umbrella stands
- Outdoor dining sets
- Sofas
…and more!
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Related Questions
How many coats of deck stain should you use?
Generally, you will only want to use as much stain as the wood can absorb. For very dense hardwoods, this will only take one coat. For most others, you’ll end up needing two. Rarely will you need more than that.
What are the different ways to stain a deck?
There are many different applicators that you can use to apply deck stain. Some of the best include brushes, stain pads, sprayers, and rollers.
So, When Can You Walk on Your Newly Stained Deck?
Assuming you stained your deck under the most ideal conditions, you’ll be able to walk across it after about four to six hours. That said, you should probably wait longer just to be safe. As with most renovations and home improvement projects, it’s always better to play it safe.
I am a copywriter and editor based in the Las Vegas area with nearly a decade of experience under my belt writing landing pages, cost guides, blog posts, newsletters, case studies, and social media content. I have a degree in Strategic Communication and experience working in both the account and creative spheres. My goal is to always be discovering new interests and bettering myself as a writer and editor along the way.
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