Wood is one of the most beautiful materials that can be used for the home.  But it can be vulnerable to the elements and not recommended outdoors unless treated.  Even pressure-treated wood can rot outdoors without protection.  Thus, for homeowners who want wooden decks, waterproofing regularly is a necessity if they want their wooden to lasts for a long period.   The best for wooden decks are redwood and cedar as they weather naturally.  Despite their resilience, both types of wood can still splinter if not treated.  As such, wooden decks should be treated at least every 18 months to keep it in top shape.

Waterproofing can either be through water repellants or through staining.  Staining is more popular because it allows more flexibility in the color of the wood and can be matched with the house design.  Stains can either be solid to match the trims of the home or washed stain which allows for the grains of the wood to show through. On the other hand, water repellants resists most water stains and oils.

When installing a new wooden deck, it would be best to wait a few months before applying any treatment since most woods that are newly bought have been pre-treated and any additional treatment will not penetrate the wood.