How to clear up deck finishing I misconceptions

fiVER one quarter of all homes in \-fthe U.S. already have wood decks. Builders are increasingly making decks standard features of new homes and owners of older homes often add decks for outdoor enjoyment and to improve the value of their property.

This trend has spawned an avalanche of new products for cleaning, sealing and protecting outdoor wood. And with the abundance of options on store shelves comes uncertainty about which products and techniques are best for deck finishing and maintenance projects.

Salespeople should be able to alleviate confusion by having ready answers to the the most common misconceptions about finishing, restoring and maintaining wood decks, according to Wolman Wood Care Products.

Mir"oo""ption No. 1: Pressure treated lumber, cedar and redwood qre maintenance-free.

Everyone knows that cedar and redwood are naturally durable, and pressure treated wood often comes with a lifetime warranty against rot and decay. Years ago, cedar and redwood came mainly from old gSowth trees with high levels of resins that were naturally resistant to decay and insects. Much of the cedar and redwood used in deck construction today is from younger, second growth trees, and these trees are less resistant to biological enemies. In addition, all redwood and cedar - old or new growth - may be susceptible to damage from rain, snow and sunlight.

As for pressure treated wood, its warranty covers decay and insect attack, but pressure treafiient does not protect against weathering cycles of wetting and drying. The elements can cause wood to check, crack and splinter over time. What's more, ultraviolet rays from the sun can destroy the top layer of wood cells, resulting in a gray, bleached appearance.

No wood is so naturally resistant as to be maintenance-free. Protective finishes, such as water repellents and preservatives, are the best way to help avoid water and sunlight damage.

Mir"oo""ption No. 2z A coat of stain or water repellent will make gray wood look better.

Just as you would not wax your car without washing it first, you should not apply a finish to a weathered deck without properly preparing the surface. Stains, mildew and algae must be removed, otherwise they'll be sealed in with the new finish. And, most important, cleaning helps prepare the wood so that the finish penetrates deeply and bonds to it properly.

Washing the deck with water alone will not do the trick. Water may remove some debris, but won't get rid of ground-in dirl mildew and algae. Nor will it remove the top layer of gray, sun-damaged wood fibers, which can interfere with adhesion of newly-applied finishes and result in weakened performance (poorer water repellency, IIV resistance, erc.).

The best way to preparc weathered wood for rcfinishing is to use a commercial wood brightener/rcstorcr/rcju-

Story at a Glance

Answers to common questions about finishlng decks best products for each lob.

venator. Popular wood preparation products come as economical powder concentrates that are mixed with water and sprayed on to the wood surface. The surface is then brushed and rinsed off. Brushing is important and should not be overlooked because it helps remove the top layer of dead wood fibers, which again, could interfere with adhesion and performance of the new finish.

Mi."oo""ption No. 3: Bleach is great for cleaning decks.

Homemade solutions of household bleach and water, and chlorine bleach-based cleaning products, which contain sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite, are effective against mildew but may harm surrounding plants, shrubs and grass, and do little to remoye dfut and sun-damaged wood fiben. After all, if chlorine bleach were effective in removing dirt, you wouldn't have to add detergent to it when washing clothes.

When used on decks, chlorine bleach can do more hann than good. It can leave the deck with a whitish, unnatural tone - a "bleached" look. And recent studies have found that using chlorine bleach-based producs results in premature coating failure and graying of the wood. isconception No. 4: New wood should be allowed to weather or "season" for several months before applying any type offinish. fllveryone's heard of CD-ROMs, IZbut in what wavs are lumber and building products companies putting them to work and how will this technology affect the industry in the future?

There are products on the market that do not contain chlorine bleach and are more effective at cleaning weathered decks. A good brightener helps lift and loosen ground-in dirt, mildew and algae, and removes gray, sun-damaged wood. This results in a bright, natural-looking surface that is ready to accept any type of deck finish.

This is an outdated concept. Research shows that letting new wood go unprotected for even a few weeks after installation can cause damage and surface degradation that interferes with adhesion of the finish coat.

New decks should be protected from the elements ns soon as possible with water repellent finishes or preservatives that are specifically designed for application to new wood. If the wood is very wet, it should be allowed to dry before finishing (1-2 weeks is usually adequate).

Mi""or,""ption No. 5z All clear finishes are pretty much alike.

There are more deck sealers and finishes on the market today than ever before. In the area of clear finishes there are "water repellents," "water sealers," "clear wood preservatives" and "clear wood finishes," just to name a few. And not all are alikethere are important differences in the type and quality of these clear finishes when it comes to decks.

The terms "water repellent" and "water sealer" are used interchangeably. They refer to products that protect wood from rain, dew and snow. There are "all-purpose" type formulas on the market, designed to go on a variety of surfaces including wood, concrete and brick. A better choice for decks, however, is a water repellent designed specifically for exterior wood. The best formulas for wood decks contain a mildewcide to protect against mildew growth. They also contain long-lasting water repellents. Some products state on the packaging that they meet federal water repellency specification TT-W-5728, p. 3.7. This is the test standard used by the wood window and door industry, and it assures effective protection against moisture damage.

Most water repellents are clear, but some offer hints of color with "toner." providing a semi-transparent sheen that doesn't mask the grain.

"Clear wood finishes" are designed to keep wood looking new. While these finishes are usually transparent after drying, they are not necessarily colorless. They often contain a small amount of pigment and oil to impart a natural tone to the wood and help protect against UV damage. The bestperforming products in this category are "wood finishes and preservatives." In addition to containing UVblockers, these formulas protect against mildew, rot and decay. Products that contain EPA-registered preservatives assure long-lasting protection.

Mir"oo""ption No. 6z Paints and solid color stains offer the best protection for wood declcs.

Film-forming finishes, such as paints, have been used for centuries to protect wood. For most applications paint is very effective against sunlight and weathering since it forms a physical barrier, blocking out the elements. On horizontal surfaces, however, paints and solid color house stains are not very suitable. Standing water can work its way beneath the film, resulting in blistering and peeling. And in order to recoat, the deck must first be stripped down to the bare wood by sanding.

Penetrating semi-transparent sCains (stains made specifically for decks), water repellents and clear finishes are better for horizontal surfaces. These products generally do not blister or peel as they age. They may fade over time, but applying a new coat is a simple task. They also contract and expand with the wood during extreme weathering cycles, preventing peeling and cracking.

Mir"oo""ption No. 7: When it comes to finishes, more is better.

A common problem with wood finishes is over-application. Many users mistakenly believe that when it comes to applying a finish, more is better. Most deck finishes, however, are designed to penetrate the wood rather than form a film on top of it. Putting on too much leads to a buildup of the finish, forming a film that can ultimately crack, blister or peel. Over-application of water repellents can result in a surface that is waxy and slippery. Over-application of stains or clear finishes can result in a sticky surface, as the buildup interferes with their drying properties.

For most deck finishes. one coat is usually sufficient. In those situations where two coats are needed. it is important to allow the first coat to properly penetrate and dry before reapplication. Always check product label directions for proper coverage information.

Possessing nearly 1,000 times the storage capacity of a floppy disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory) is designed for the storage, retrieval and distribution of large quantities of information. It is estimated that 29Vo of remodelers have access to a CD-ROM.

With its growing popularity, what can the CD-ROM offer the building products professional?

Current uses include:

(1) Topic Searches. With its storage capacity, the CD-ROM can consolidate vast bits of product information on one disc. However, this storage can lead to a delay in locating specific information. To remedy this delay, some building product professionals have incorporated a search engine, enabling users to enter a word, like "glulam," and access all matching entries.

For example, a search engine can be found on a CD-ROM fea- ! uing24of the f most popular ; publications ! available from ! APA-TheI Engineered ( Wood Association which enablesi,'ussI$;, tor,,quLe!fy,:,seeess product guides, dC$ign.'.,guidCs, glulam lir erature, builder tips, publications index, product specifications, and design tables used frequently by construction professionals.

"The most frequent readers of our publications keep the CD for a reference document," says Marilyn LeMoine, publications mgr. of the Tacoma, Wa.-based organization.

(2) Product Demonstrations. With its digitized images, the CDROM demonstrates a product in use or in combination with other products without visiting a showroom or job site.

Masco's virtual reality CD-ROM of an 8,500-sq. ft. classic revival showhome located in Columbia, Md., provides digital panoramic views of all rooms in the house and exterior which can be electronically navigated using pictures, floor plans or listings of the individual rooms and products.

"By putting an actual showhome on CD-ROM, consumers can take a real-life tour of a house via computer without leaving the home builder's office," says Ray Kennedy of Masco. "We're making the decision-making process easier and providing builders with a new marketing tool to help attract potential home buyers."

The digitized images also provide a marketing tool for products that are otherwise hard to demonstrate-as is the case with structural lumber options.

"The computer strips away the skin of the structure to look at the bones. Usually the person depends on the builder to select the stmctural parts," says Trus Joist MacMillan's Dede Ryan. "It can be very impractical for the buyer to go to the building site to see the product in action."

(3) Company profiles and cataloguins. Firms are creating graphics-based CD-ROMs so customers can quickly access key information about their company and product lines using a personal computer.

Trus Joist MacMillan has recently launched a multimedia press kit which leads users through a tour of the company and its producs.

"It is a tool for the media as well as an internal orientation tool for the sales staff," says Ryan. "If successful, we are considering putting our automation software on CDROM." tions and pictures, and a construction calculator to estimate project costs.

Beginning in June, East Coast Millwork Distributors, North Wilkesboro, N.C., will streamline its telemarketing and order entry with a CD-ROM featuring its product lines.

"We're testing the envelope to see what this technology can do for us," says East Coast Millwork's Matt Sidden. "This provides an easy, convenient and thorough access to our products."

CertainTeed's Insulation Group has developed a company and product profile designed for architects, builders, contractors, specifiers and engineers.

The CD-ROM contains company background, residential and HVAC insulation product specifications, data and installation information, product photos, material safety data sheets, and two videos.

"I anticipate it to be used more heavily in every industry to disseminate product catalogs for manufacturers and wholesalers," says Jim Hassenstabr proS. of Distribution Management Systems, Inc. "I see it continuing and evolving into greater use."

"The CD-ROM lends itself to instructional information," says Ben

Story at a Glance

What CD-ROMs can and can't do ...why some see them being replaced by the Internet.

Allen, editor, Meredith Books. "It is not expensive once the material that is being placed on the CD-ROM is created. The extent that animation, sound and video are used determines the overall cost."

al CD-ROMs don't have the capability to print the information on the CD," says Allen. "Users want something that they can take into a sawdust area where it can be stepped on or have paint spilled on it."

Some believe the CD-ROM will be replaced by the Internet. "The CD-ROM is not really a significant technology, it is not an earth- shattering technology for anyone," Hassenstab says. "I believe the. Internet will make it somewhat obsolete. If any technology supersedes it, it would be the Internet. If it does supersede it, it will supersede it before it gets too large."

Experts agree that the Internet would have to have faster processing time to compete with the instantaneous access of information offered by the CD-ROM.

"The CD-ROM will gain populari ty as it gains a greater penetration into the computer market, unless another technology supersedes it, such as the Internet," affirms Allen. "The Internet will have to provide a fast enough processor, plus publishers would have to be able to control the access and use of the information."

(4)

Instructional

Tools. CDROMs that provide useful repair and home improvement projects for d-iyers are becoming increasingly popular items for retailers to sell alongside how-to books.

"Home Improvement l-2-3" CDROM from Home Depot, Better Homes & Gardens and Meredith Books, for example, features 165 repair and home improvement projects with more than 2,000 illustrations. The CD-ROM, complete with tips for saving time and money, includes more than 50 how-to videos, 40 3-D animations, printable instruc-

Although the CD-ROM is considered by some to be latest technological breakthrough for marketing, other industry experts speculate that the CD-ROM's disadvantages over competing technologies may lead to its demise.

One disadvantage is the difficulty in updating information.

"It doesn't work for one or a few times application. That is the primary reason people aren't using it very heavily today," claims Hassenstab.

"To change the information, a new CD-ROM has to be sent out."

Another disadvantage is the inability to print out information provided on the CD-ROM.

"I discovered that most instruction-

Ryan agrees: "The problem with the Internet is the time it takes to download snappy graphics and video. The Internet can't use the same caliber of graphics until the processing is quicker. With the CD-ROM, information is presented immediately."

Sidden believes the CD-ROM will work side by side with the Internet because the CD-ROM is a true multimedia. "I don't see it going away. If it is well designed, it can offer an abundant amount of information to customers. In one little platter, it gives them endless room to sell your products," he says.

"Not only is our industry starting to realize avenues that we can use, but avenues that we must use." muses Sidden.