New Deck, Fence, Etc. Projects.

Natalie Yon-Eriksson
6 days ago
6 min read

What finish makes the most sense and what are the best prep and application steps?

Primary finish options: Pine Tar, Linseed Oil Stain, Linseed Oil Paint, Linseed Oil Varnish

Wooden decks, porches, stairs, fences, outdoor furniture, picnic tables, etc. get a lot of wear and tear, gaining wood the reputation of being high-maintenance. This is true with many modern, barrier-forming coatings that trap moisture that can lead to excessive peeling, cracking, rot and deterioration.

Thats said, don't give up just yet! Even an old worn deck can be brought back to life with a bit of TLC and one of the traditional coatings. Maintenance on a new deck can be reasonable and get you long-term protection. It just depends on condition, prep and material combination, so below we have worked to outline a few strategies for this type of project to get the best life out of a new deck, as well as how to save old, worn wood that most might think they need to fully replace.

See our suggestions for new wood below and find our suggestions for old wood for a deck, fence, etc. rehab or "refresh" at: Old Deck, Fence, Etc. Projects.

New Wood (decks, fences, etc.)

If this is a new project using bare wood, there are few limitations and you can use almost any of the traditional linseed-based coatings.

Exceptions to this rule:

Pressure treated wood should be left for a season or two so it has time to dry out fully before applying a coating.

Pressure treated wood simply will be too damp to absorb much. If it seems very dry or if there is a strong desire to get something on it the season of install, then a thin, even coat of a finish of choice is possible. Just do so with the above factors in mind = absorption rate will be very low.

Otherwise, we have found no wood species that is incompatible with the traditional coatings and finishes.

Option 1: Pine Tar

Pine Tar is what we consider a rustic finish, offering natural, wood-colored options that we term Traditional Pine Tar options, as well as a few colors: Pigmented Pine Tar options. Custom colors can be achieved by mixing Pine Tar with Pine Tar. Pine Tar must be mixed with something and if Purified Linseed Oil is used, no additional solvents are required.

For best results, we recommend more than the 2 minimum coats we recommend for an average siding project since decks see so much standing moisture. Coats can be done over a course of a few seasons but the goal would be to get to a point where maintenance would be every 5-8 years depend on traffic levels.

Variability is based on wood type, traffic, and exposure.

Important factor here is that it is easy to simply clean and reapply a coat as needed. Very approachable and manageable maintenance requirements.

See general application suggestions for Authentic Pine Tar options on the Application Suggestions for Authentic Pine Tar article.

Suggested steps for a new deck:

Ensure a clean, dry bare wood surface.
Apply a thin, even coat of Pine Tar mixture (50/50 Pine Tar to Viking Purified Linseed Oil is a popular ratio). Ratio can be adapted based on personal preference.
Mix well before each use.
Apply in 60+ degree temperatures.
Average dry time is 72 hrs between coats minimum in ideal conditions.
Ensure each coat feels dry to the touch before applying the next.
Apply 3+ coats to especially flat surfaces and at least a 2 coat minimum on everything else within the first 5 years.

Coverage: Approximately 500 sq ft per gallon.

Maintenance: Lightly clean with hose water and Linseed Oil Soap. Rinse well. Once dry, reapply a coat of the Pine Tar mixture when wood begins to look very dry or worn.

It is also possible to spot treat scratches or damage but will look the best with a coat across all horizontal surfaces to blend.

Pros: An excellent exterior wood preservative with natural insect deterrent properties. Basic application and maintenance.

Limitations: Slower dry time (72 hrs between coats in ideal conditions) and less color options. Requires a bare wood surface.

Dark Pine Tar mix center and custom Red Pine Tar mix on right by Restoration Services in PA.

Option 2: Linseed Oil Stain

A custom Linseed Oil Stain is similar to a Pine Tar finish but with more color possibilities. A Linseed Oil Stain is created by mixing any Linseed Oil Paint color with the Purified Linseed Oil. More oil, more transparency. More paint, more opacity.

For best results, we recommend you avoid going too light on the color as that pigmentation is your UV protection. Otherwise, you can adjust the ratios based on personal preference.

Common ratios for a custom Linseed Oil Stain are in the 20%-30% paint to 80%-70% Purified Linseed Oil range. A 50:50 ratio is also not uncommon and would achieve a pretty opaque stain with less wood grain showing through.

This is a very economical finish as it can often be applied in a one coat process.

Suggested steps for a new deck:

Ensure a clean, dry, bare wood surface.
Mix a test or two with your Linseed Oil Paint (color of choice) and Purified Linseed Oil to confirm ratio preference. Document your ratios so you can easily recreate.
Once ratio is confirmed, mix a big batch, enough to cover a full coat on all horizontal surfaces.
Apply in 60+ degree temperatures.
Average dry time is 48 hrs between coats minimum in ideal conditions.
Ensure each coat feels dry to the touch before applying the next.
Apply 1-2 coats of Linseed Oil Stain.

Coverage: Approximately 500 sq ft per gallon.

Maintenance: Lightly clean with hose water and Linseed Oil Soap. Rinse well. Once dry, reapply a coat of your custom Linseed Oil Stain when wood begins to look very dry or worn.

It is also possible to spot treat scratches or damage but will look the best with a coat across all horizontal surfaces.

Pros: A very economical option. Basic application and maintenance. Lots of color options possible that offer effective UV protection.

Limitations: Not a lot of surface build-up but easy to refresh. Requires a bare wood surface.

Custom Ottosson Wheat Grey Linseed Oil Stain by Debonte in DE.

Option 3: Linseed Oil Paint

Linseed Oil Paint will offer the most surface protection as it involves applying several coats to build-up the paint film. It is more of a commitment and a larger investment in materials. It achieves a fully opaque, painted finish with no transparency.

Suggested steps for a new deck:

Follow painting instructions for the Viking Linseed Oil Paint brand or the Ottosson Linseed Oil Paint brand for new, bare wood.

Coverage: Approximately 500 sq ft per gallon/3 liter.

Maintenance: Lightly clean with hose water and Linseed Oil Soap. Rinse well. Once dry, reapply 1-2 thin, even coats of Linseed Oil Paint when wood begins to look very dry or worn.

It is also possible to spot treat scratches or damage with the paint. Once the spot-applied paint is fully dry, it will look the best with a coat of the Purified Linseed Oil across all horizontal surfaces to blend.

Pros: A durable surface that can be beaten up more than a stain. Lots of color options.

Limitations: More expensive option as more material needed. Typically, a 3 coat process.

Ottosson Linseed Oil Paint on streetery deck.

Ottosson Dark Grey Linseed Oil Paint on streetery deck by Hickson in CO.

Option 4: Linseed Oil Varnish

Not common for a deck project - a fancier finish; more often used for a porch floor or front steps, for example.

Apply a coat of Bio Impression Primer to bare wood surface. Let dry.
Apply 3-4 coats of Le Tonkinois Linseed Oil Varnish to build-up surface protection.

Coverage: Approximately 150-200 sq ft of coverage per 1 Liter. The best coverage is achieved when the wood surface is oiled first with the Le Tonkinois Bio Impression Primer or the Viking Purified Raw Linseed Oil.

Maintenance: Clean, lightly spot sand if needed, and apply with a coat or two of Linseed Oil Varnish when damage is evident and/or there are visible wear areas to keep up with the surface protection. Full removal is not necessary.

Pros: A very durable, harder finish that can be beaten up more than a stain.

Limitations: More expensive option with more application skill required. Typically, a 3+ coat process.