Finishing Your Deck    
  Most wooden structures can be improved with a bit of sanding, and with the application of stains and sealers. You can then dress up your new living space with flower pots and planters, or add lights for evening use.
     
Sanding    
    Take the time to sand rails until they are smooth to the touch. For most lumber, 80 or 100 grit sandpaper should do the job. If the wood is too wet to sand, wait a month or so until it's drier. Try to round over any sharpe edges,especially where the grain seems prone to splintering. Use either and orbital power sander or a sanding block. Always sand along the direction of the woods grain lines. It is difficult to remove sanding marks that go against the grain.
     
Sealing    
 

Penetrating sealers help decking shed moisture. Some also block the sun's ultraviolet rays. To remain effective sealers must be renewed every year or two. When wood absorbs moisture, its fibers swell. Over time the surface becomes rougher and small cracks are likely to open. This does not usually cause structural flaws right away. But eventually fasteners may loosen and the boards tend to develop small cracks, call checks.
     
Appling Stains    
  You can enhance the color of your decking with stains and sealers. Many exterior stains include a sealer. Always wait until the wood is dry to apply a finish. Before staining your whole deck, try your chose color on a test board or in an inconspicuous location. You should expect some color variation from board to board. Spray or roll the stain according to the manufactures directions. Always wera rubber gloves and goggles when working with chemicals. Splattering is inevitable, no matter how careful you are.
     
Bleaching Wood    
  If your decking has darkened and grayed with age, you can brighten it with a wood restoring solution. These are usually sold in powder form. If your deck is made of pressure treated lumber, select a bleach designed for treated wood. Bleaches won't remove grease, or negate all the effects of sun and rain. After bleaching, a stain may help reduce the color variations between the boards. In some cases, however, staining may accentuate these differences. Befor staining and bleaching, test an out of the way area first.
     
Finishing Touches    
   
  • Grading soil away from the house and footings will help insure that water doesn't saturate and destabilize the ground under your deck. Avoid contact between soil and untreated wood.
  • Lighting: Locate switches near the door, preferably inside the house.
  • Electrical receptacles let you use radios, lights and appliances when you're entertaining out doors. Try to find a nearby circuit that you can tap for an outlet. Be sure to use a ground-fault interrupted (GFI) receptacle, and a cover for wet locations.
  • Flower pots and plants offer a natural accent for outdoor living areas. Try to raise them a bit above the decking so that water doesn't collect on the deck boards, and cause rot.
  • Water faucets, conveniently located on the deck, make it easier to care for potted plants.