Deck Progress

I was really hoping by now I would have completed my deck and be sitting under the umbrella having a cup of tea reading a book.  Well maybe a decor magazine.  I have never seen so much rain in Southern Ontario for July.  Usually by now our lawns our parched and turning brown but its like we are living in Ireland.  I just have one section of the deck to give a second coat,  It should not take me tooo long now.




As you know, I have a really difficult time making decisions and this has been really hard.  Deciding what colour, type of stain - meaning transparent, semi-transparent, solid? Or do I try that new Deck Over paint by Home Depot, or the Abborcoat by Benjamin Moore.  Not only did I have those decisions to make but prep work is a major factor in staining your deck.  It can make a huge difference.  I found each store had their own opinion.  Some told me I had to power wash the deck and sand it, wash it with their special cleaner.  Another store told me I should never power wash it,  it would damage the deck and just to clean it.  Decisions, decisions and I am never good with making decisions, just ask David, my husband. 

I know its nearly a month again since posting.  I found painting and staining the deck pretty labour intensive, I want it to last as long as possible.  We have also took time in between to paint the basement and do major de-cluttering.   We have my husband's family over from Northern Ireland at the moment so we have taken time on the rainy days to do some indoor projects. 

The last time I stained the deck was back in 2005, 10 years ago I couldn't believe how long it has been.  I decided anyway to use my dad's power washer. It took me a good day and half to clean it.  I couldn't believe how dirty it had become. 

While on a trip to the Home Depot I decided on the Weather Proofing, semi-transparent stain from the Home Depot.  I picked Pewter as my colour and I love it against the white railings.  When searching consumer reports Home Depot stains were considered #1 for durability and long lasting in our crazy Southern Ontario weather.   I am really happy with it so far.

 

 

A couple of years ago, I found these stools at a neighbours garage sale for $5.00.  They have been sitting in our garage taking up space.  It gets me excited when the kids want to help with the DIY.  Nothing like giving a piece of furniture a new lease on life with spray paint. Erin did one and Charlie did the other.  Not bad for their first time.... I'm hoping to get the cushions re-upholstered.  I have material in mind and I will show you in a later post.

 

 

 

 My strawberry blond cutie....

Despite the rain we have been making progress.....