If your deck has been previously stained or painted, the finish will need to be removed before re-staining. "Old coatings should all come off first," Otto says, "Bring it down to bare wood for ...

First, it adds to the aesthetics, either by enhancing the natural grain pattern of the wood or by covering blemishes, depending on the stain you choose. Second, it can add years of life to a deck ...

I think I spent more time choosing a stain than actually working on my deck. With experience and lots of questions posed to ...