It's a systems approach where all the elements work together. And even the cleanest deck surface is at the mercy of the elements without the right finish. Choosing from among the several hundred deck cleaners, stains and sealers out there is less simple. You'll also have to decide whether to do the job yourself or hire a pro. Here's how to take the guesswork out of renewing a worn deck or protecting the one you just built.
Most homeowners do the work themselves because they can save money.
The materials for a 20x20-ft. What's more, the actual work takes just two days - one to clean the surface and another to apply the finish. But you will have to wait three to five days after cleaning for the deck to dry so the finish will penetrate fully. If you don't have the time to do it yourself, you can hire a deck-maintenance contractor. But the relative newness of this specialty means most of the pros don't have much experience.