Is It Deck Refinishing Time?

As family good times, social events, pet hangouts, and outside dining consistently head out to the back deck, it’s probably a good time to assess the state of your own deck (also known as the outside living room). Even with cold, icy Ohio winters, all the outdoor heaters, custom fireplaces, and firepit options we have these days allow the back deck to be a fun place to have a few (year-round) – whether it’s finger-numbing cold or hot enough to melt your prized Buckeye cake outside.

Yes, back deck aesthetics are important – always want to look good, blend well with your home’s color palette, and have a calming effect (interpreted as: no peeling paint, no layers of decaying organic residue obscuring the grain, and no splintering, rotting wood staring back at you) each time you walk out to sit & stare with a coffee or strum your acoustic guitar for the kids, cats, and dogs. Having stated this, we here at Trusted Coatings will tell you that protection is really the top priority.

We have refinished and power washed numerous Central Ohio decks throughout the years. So, in the spirit of protecting your family’s beloved back deck (while making it look great), here are a few tips on deck refinishing and maintenance.

Choosing a Protective Finish

Given Ohio’s hot, humid summers and cold, icy, snowy winters, we recommend considering three types of finishes for wooden decks:

Clear Sealers

• Highlight the natural look of the wood
• Offer water repellency but minimal ultraviolet (UV) protection (wood will still gray over time)
• Best to be reapplied every 6–12 months in Ohio’s climate.

Best for: Newer cedar, redwood, or treated pine decks where woodgrain aesthetics matter.

Semi-Transparent Stains

• Provide both color tint and UV protection while allowing some wood grain to show
• They penetrate the wood surface, thus, reducing peeling risk
• Typically lasts 2–3 years before recoating

Best all-around option given Ohio’s moisture and sunlight exposure conditions.

Solid Stains or Deck Paints

• Form a film like paint and offer the strongest UV protection
• Obscures wood grain but protects the longest (3–5 years)
• It can peel over time, so maintenance involves cleaning and spot touch-ups

Best for: Older decks with discoloration, prior patchwork, or uneven wood tones.

Maintaining Your Deck Year-Round

• Sweep leaves and debris regularly (prevents mildew and staining)
• Each spring, clean and inspect for cracks, loose boards, and protruding nails & screws
• Recoat every 2–3 years (or sooner if water no longer beads on the surface)
• In winter, avoid using salt on wood (NaCl promotes splintering, cracking, and rotting of your deck)—use calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) instead to non-corrosively melt ice or use sand/cat litter to provide non-corrosive traction
• To really banish all the gunk, schedule a TC power wash

When you’re thinking about how and when to refinish your family’s deck or even just need an instantly gratifying power wash to get your outdoor living room back to its original luster, please give Trusted Coatings a shout. Contact Us – Trusted Coatings