A new deck should be stained after it has been treated with a sealant. The sealant will prevent the stains from bleeding into the wood and causing problems in the future. In general, you should stain your deck at least 30 days after it has been built. This will allow the wood to dry and the stain to adhere.
However, this is only a suggestion. The timing to stain your deck is determined by a few factors, including the climate in which you live, the wood you’re using, and how it’s been treated. For example, wood in a warm, dry, climate will dry out faster than wood in a damp, humid, climate.
When you think your deck has finished drying, you can test it to make sure. This is done by pouring water on the boards. If it beads up, it’s not ready. If the water seeps in, your deck is ready to be stained.| Pressure Treated Wood
Because of how it’s designed, pressure treated wood can take months to completely dry out. If you don’t wait for the wood to dry, the stain might not penetrate all the way through. This can result in a blotchy paint job that has diminished protective properties. Kiln Dried Wood Most of the wood that you can buy at a hardware store is kiln dried. Because it is not as compact as pressure treated wood, it takes less time to dry. You can expect this process to take at least 30 days and up to two months.