Q:
I have a beautiful Douglas-fir floor on my covered porch. The wood is exposed to the elements (sun, rain, and snow). What is the best way to keep it looking like new?
Dawn Viglione, Monroe, CT
A:
Jon Tobey, author of The Care and Feeding of Wooden Decks, replies: All wood porches and decks require regular maintenance. Start by spraying a deck cleaner on the wood after sweeping off loose debris. I’ve had good luck with Revive (Cuprinol; 800-424-5837; www.sherwin-williams.com) and with Simple Wash (Biowash; 800-858-5011; www.biowash.com). These cleaners remove the oxidized, damaged, and stained surfaces. A light pressure wash also helps with cleaning.
After the decking dries, protect it with a penetrating-oil finish. In general, pigmented finishes offer the best UV protection, so a 50/50 mixture of clear and pigmented penetrating finish might be a good idea. I typically get three to five years between refinishings using Clear Wood Finish (The Flood Co.; 800-321-3444; www.floodco.com).
