What You Need to Know About Maintaining Your Exterior Woodwork in Richmond, MI

Maintaining your exterior woodwork in Richmond, MI, is essential if you want to extend your woodwork’ she beauty and durability.
However, the maintenance procedure requires taking into consideration the condition of your wood and the product that best suits the desired appearance.

This article shares everything you need to know about your exterior woodwork she maintenance and preservation.

Maintain Your Exterior Woodwork: The Products Available

By exterior woodwork, we mean all the elements constructed of wood located on or around the exterior of your house.
These include cornices, siding, window frames, decks, casements, doors, fences, pergolas, and more.

Microporous Fungicidal PainSeveralal types of protective products can provide wood with optimum protection against the elements.

For those who prefer uniform woodwork and dark coloring, a fungicidal microporous paint is recommended.
The paint of this type is permeable to water vapor while being impermeable to liquid water.
The fungicidal property prevents the formation of mold on the surface of the wood.

It is also recommended to choose an anti-UV formula to protect the wood from possible discoloration overtime under the sunrays’ effects.

Stains

Stains are a translucent solution with protection against mold, moisture, insects, fungus, and sunlight.
Whether tinted or colored, it is the perfect protection solution to highlight the grain of the wood.
It does not form a film on the surface of the wood, rather infiltrating inside it.

As a result, the stain has the unique advantage of not flaking.
It should be mentioned that colored stains cover the wood’s grained a little more than clear ones.

Note that there are several variants, including “high protection” types that are rich in resin.
These are known to be particularly effective in providing high-level protection to wood against external elements’ effects.
In general, the stain’s application should be repeated every 3-4 years unless the wood is of the exotic type.

Varnishes

The varnish allows more of the wood grain to show through compared to paint.
It is therefore an ideal choice if you want the wood to retain a more natural appearance. They provide effective protection against heat, water, and surface scratches.

Since the varnish may flake off over the years, refinishing is recommended after 5 years.
The variety of finishes available (matt, gloss, satin) leaves some latitude in the wood’s final appearance.

We should specify that the varnish alone is not sufficient to ensure the wood’s e optimal protection and preservation against sunlight.
Apply a semi-transparent stain on the bare wood along with the varnish for better protection.

Refinishing a Painted, Varnished, or Stained Surfaces

For varnished, painted, or stained woodwork, you will need to clean the surface with f trisodium phosphate solution e to remove traces of encrusted dirt, while bleach will effectively remove mold.
In either case, the wood will have to be stripped if it is particularly damaged.

To do this, use a heat gun or chemical stripper. Also, fill in the holes or cracks with a wood filler of an appropriate color if necessary.

Once the surface is clean, dry, and repaired, you can sand it down with a fine-grit sandpaper.
Then be sure to dust the surface carefully before starting the application of varnish, stain, or paint.

Then you can apply the first coat within the prescribed drying time before going ahead with a second application.
If you are using varnish, you will need to sand an additional time between the application of the first and second coat.

The Bottom Line

If it’s been years since you last repainted your home’s exterior, you should consider a new paint job.
If the exterior paint shows signs of paint peeling, fading, chalking, bubbling, flaking, or cracking, you need a new paint job.

Need professional help with your home exterior repainting or staining project?
Our highly skilled and experienced team at Eason Painting can help.
Our services are currently available in Macomb Township, Washington Township, Ray Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Romeo, Armada, Troy, Shelby Township, Harrison Township, Chesterfield, and Clinton Township, MI.

What You Need to Know About Maintaining Your Exterior Woodwork