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The Daily Insight

How do you treat western red cedar decking

Author

Ava Robinson

Updated on April 09, 2026

Water-repellents can be applied by sprayer, brush, pad or roller, followed by a brushing in the direction of the wood’s grain. Repeated brush treatment of Western Red Cedar until the wood no longer absorbs any more products (known as the point of refusal) will enhance the durability of the finish.

What is the best treatment for Western Red Cedar?

Compared to other finishes, paint offers the greatest protection for western red cedar siding against the elements. And while cedar siding accepts, holds and showcases all types of paints beautifully, your best choice is a 100% acrylic latex formula. They outperform other types of paints in all types of weather.

What is the best treatment for cedar decks?

If you’re ready to make an investment in your cedar deck, Cedar Oil is the perfect choice. It not only provides long-lasting protection from the elements but also brings out the natural tones in your wood and allows its beauty to shine through.

Do you need to seal Western Red Cedar?

If you want to enjoy the aroma of varieties such as Western Red Cedar and incense cedar, leave the wood unsealed. If you’re using cedar for an outdoor project, give it a light seal coat to guard against moisture and sunlight.

How do you keep Western Red Cedar looking new?

  1. Stain Soon After Installation. Staining your cedar siding will considerably slow down the siding’s change in appearance. …
  2. Maintain Your Cedar Siding Every 3 to 5 Years. …
  3. Embrace the Natural Weathering of Cedar Siding.

What is the best oil to use on cedar?

The best clear Cedar finish stain for outdoors is Linseed oil, hands down. Linseed oil is the primary ingredient in any oil finishes, which dries clear.

What oil do you use on cedar?

There are two oil finishes recommended for sealing cedar: teak and linseed. Applied the same way, teak and cedar oils produce a similar protective finish with a warm, hand-rubbed, natural-looking appearance as compared to varnish and urethane. Wipe the furniture with a rag to remove any dust.

Can you oil Western Red Cedar?

What Are Best Finishes For Western Red Cedar. Your best stains for Red Cedar are oil-based, which will darken the wood at first, even clear natural types.

Is Thompson's water Seal good for cedar?

A new Waterproofing Stain from industry leader Thompson’s WaterSeal can not only protect your deck from further damage, but also add rich, beautiful color. … Choose from five popular colors: Acorn Brown, Harvest Gold, Maple Brown, Sequoia Red or Woodland Cedar.

Can linseed oil be used on cedar?

Our linseed oil is the most natural form of finish you can apply to cedar wood, but it will only retain the look for about a year or two. The transparent and semi-transparent stains may last from three to four years.

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Should cedar decking be sealed?

Sealing your deck will keep it safe from water damage, rot, and insects. Stain, on the other hand, enhances the deck’s beauty while offering UV protection. Every two to three years, you will want to reseal and stain your cedar deck. Some deck sealants include a stain so you can do both tasks with one product.

Is it better to seal or stain a deck?

Sealing a deck is best for cedar, teak, mahogany, or other quality woods as it enhances the wood grain and natural color. … Staining a deck protects the wood from mold, mildew, moisture, and rot, and UV rays and sun damage. The stain is available in transparent, semi-transparent, semi-opaque, and solid colors.

Should you seal a new cedar deck?

Rot, premature aging, and warping can occur from the weather and elements when the boards aren’t sealed. Finishing off your newly-installed cedar deck with a sealant or wood stain will help to prolong the life, beauty, and appeal of the deck for years to come.

How do you protect red cedar wood?

A thorough coating or two of an acrylic-based paint is by far the most protective of the finishes on offer. It will shield the timber from moisture and weathering, but will completely conceal the wood’s colour and grain — so make sure to choose a wood paint of your desired colour.

Does Western red cedar turn GREY?

Red cedar is one of the most popular wood species for exterior use because of its natural rich, red color and its natural resistance to decay. … But one aspect is that cedar’s lovely red turns a monotonous gray surprisingly quickly.

How do you seal outdoor cedar?

On bare new or restored cedar, apply one coat only of water-repellent preservative (1% or less of wax by volume and content). Allow it to dry for the period of time recommended by the manufacturer. If the wood has been dip treated, a longer drying time may be needed.

How do you treat a cedar deck?

Water-repellents can be applied by sprayer, brush, pad or roller, followed by a brushing in the direction of the wood’s grain. Repeated brush treatment of Western Red Cedar until the wood no longer absorbs any more products (known as the point of refusal) will enhance the durability of the finish.

What is the best stain and sealer for a cedar deck?

ProductRating100% Pure Tung Oil Finish Wood Stain & Natural Sealer for All Types of Wood (32 oz)1,638 Reviews#1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain for Decks, Fences, & Siding – 1 Gallon (Cedar)671 ReviewsReady Seal 512 5-Gallon Pail Natural Cedar Exterior Stain and Sealer for Wood6,085 Reviews

Can you stain and seal cedar?

Staining the cedar is the absolute best way to ensure this, especially in areas that have four-season climates. Since Western Red Cedar naturally lacks pitch and resin, it allows for countless staining options and will accept stain very well if applied correctly.

How do you finish western cedar?

Allow the washed surface to dry before recoating and apply primer paint to areas of bare wood. After the primer has dried, apply one or two topcoats of paint or solid-color stain. Two topcoats are always better over bare wood that has been primed. These may be applied to Western Red Cedar by brush, roller, or pad.

When should you seal cedar?

If you are looking to preserve the beautiful rich grain of, say, a mahogany or cedar decking, we recommend sealing the deck with a translucent penetrating stain within 1-2 weeks of construction. This will ensure minimal or no UV damage and give your deck that natural look.

What's the difference between tung oil and linseed oil?

They’re both plant-based oil finishes that penetrate and saturate the wood grain. … Linseed oil carries a slight yellow tint, whereas tung oil dries to a clear finish. Tung oil creates a harder, more durable finish than linseed oil. Tung oil is more water-resistant than linseed oil.

How do you keep cedar from turning GREY?

To prevent cedar from fading to gray, you need to seal cedar fence with a stain that blocks ultraviolet light and contains a mildewcide, according to Family Handyman.

Why is my cedar deck rotting?

In certain conditions, even pressure-treated wood can rot and decay. Moisture and pooling water on decks can lead to rot and decay. Because dry rot is a fungus, it can spread like a cancer throughout a deck. Dry rot is caused by microorganisms that eat the cellulose from the wood leaving it brittle.

What is a good deck sealer?

  • Thompsons Waterseal Advanced Natural Wood Protector.
  • ECO-SAFE Wood Treatment – Stain & Preservation by Tall Earth.
  • Rust-Oleum Coppercoat Wood Preservative.
  • CabotStain Australian Timber Oil Penetrating Oil.
  • Thompsons Waterseal – Transparent Stain.

How many coats of stain should you put on a deck?

The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much deck stain as the wood can absorb. Typically this will be 2 coats, unless your dealing with extremely dense hardwoods which may only be able to absorb 1 coat of wood stain.

What is the longest lasting deck sealer?

Q: What is the longest-lasting deck sealer? An oil-based deck sealer, such as Rust-Oleum Ultimate Spar Urethane, will protect a deck for up to 5 years.

Does cedar need to be pressure treated?

Although cedar naturally resists moisture, it doesn’t do well in chronically damp environments. With proper treatment and maintenance, pressure-treated wood offers better moisture resistance, making it a better choice for humid environments.