Blog - Bright Services Group

What Color Stain

The color deck stain you choose for your deck may be dependent on a few factors. A few of them are age and condition of your deck, the current color, and the type of wood your deck is made from. If you have an older deck, and the condition is not great, you will want to choose a solid stain. A solid stain fully coats and protects the wood from further sun and weather damage. If you are using a solid stain you have a range of colors to choose from, but most professionals will recommend you choose a color that is darker than your current color. Sherwin Williams has a color chart here. There are many manufacturers available on the market. It is important to talk with a professional company to determine what they can stand behind. Just walking into a store and getting the opinion of a sales associate, might not be the best idea. A company will use a product because they know how it works. Be careful choosing however, you may be unable to go lighter in the future!

If you have a brand new deck, or you have an exotic wood deck like ipe, tigerwood, redwood or mahogany, you will want to choose a transparent stain. Not SEMI-Transparent – just a transparent. There is a huge difference between the two. Once a semi-transparent has been applied, a lot of times the damage has been done and the costs associated with taking it off are extensive. Transparent stains (a color chart can be viewed here) provide a tint of color, along with some protection from the sun and the elements. Transparent stain colors come in more traditional wood colors, and even clear, so you get the protection benefits while showing off your beautiful wood. Just as it is with a solid, it’s not possible to choose a lighter color next time, so if you are unsure, try a lighter color first!

Deck Staining

Staining your deck will preserve and often enhance the natural look of the wood on your deck. A transparent deck stain will allow you to see the natural wood grain through the stain. The transparent deck stain soaks into the wood and is typically an oil based product. A color chart can be found here. There are many brands of transparent deck stains on the market – it is important to learn what the professional deck staining companies are using versus what consumers are purchasing. A consumer will purchase what is located at the local box store. A professional will purchase the product that will have the best maintenance schedule and the most effective protection. Just because it is sold at a box store does not mean that it is a good product.

A solid stain will give you that uniform look you would get from paint, but with a more natural look. Semi-Transparent and Semi-Solid deck stains should be used with caution. The maintenance of both these products after being applied can be very difficult, time consuming and expensive. In some cases, a solid stain will need to be used to cover up the original application. Speak with a professional deck staining company or technician to get more information in order to make an informed decision.

Deck Painting

Deck painting can also be referred to as deck solid staining. Painting is typically used as a product that is used on vertical surfaces of an exterior home or as an interior product to coat walls. Over the years deck stain has become available in different variations. Deck painting or solid staining has many options to choose from, this works especially well for older, weathered decks. Solid stain or deck paint can provide a more uniform look, and although it may peel and crack, especially in direct sunlight or inclement weather, it usually lasts longer overall than transparent staining does and can be easier to maintain. With all products and options there are both pros and cons.

Some downsides to deck painting, however, are it can be difficult to remove if that is ever a desire. The typical life cycle of a deck is to first apply a transparent deck stain. This allows the grain of the wood to show through when the wood is newer. After a number of years and cycles of cleaning and staining, the next phase is to go with a solid stain option or deck painting. This is typically the last phase before replacement of the wood with new wood or moving to a composite deck. When using a solid deck stain, the product does soak into the wood however it also creates a layer on top of the surface. When there is a surface application, the product is prone to chipping and peeling if furniture is dragged across the surface or often along a high traffic area.

Bright Services – Deck Professionals

Bright Services is the Premier Deck Cleaning, Deck Staining and Power Washing company in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We specialize in deck cleaning, deck staining and deck painting. With over two decades of experience in the industry, we have restored and brought back to life thousands of decks!

The use of proper high quality equipment, safe work practices and environmentally friendly cleaning solutions sets us apart from the rest. We are able to handle the cleaning, preservation, restoration and maintenance of your home or business. We are committed to excellence and providing a second to none level of professionalism and customer service.

Through our process called “The Brighter Difference” we offer a proven strategy that guarantees success. We look forward to working together with you now and into the future. We offer the following services: Deck Cleaning, Deck Staining, Deck Sealing, Deck Painting, Fence Cleaning and Sealing/Staining, Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Gutter Cleaning, Concrete Cleaning, Brick Paver Cleaning, Soft Washing, Cedar Shake Roof Cleaning and Sealing and House Washing.

Bright Services has been restoring decks for over 15 years. Typical deck restoration begins with power washing using a low pressure method for cleaning and preparing the deck. After the deck has been properly prepped, the deck staining or deck painting process can begin. Our expertise is in all exterior wood including fence cleaning and fence staining, gazebo’s, play systems and deck furniture.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our site and we look forward to serving you!

Fuzzy Wood vs. Splintered Wood

The use of a power washer is a great way to speed up the process of cleaning an exterior deck. Many homeowners and contractors utilize a power washer when maintaining their deck or completing a deck restoration project. Just like any tool, there can be right and wrong ways to operate a power washer.

Power Washer Tips

The word “tips” refers to a the end of the power washer lance. A “tip” can be replaced depending on the amount of water and the amount of pressure that is desired. This is where the untrained and the less experienced make the most detrimental mistakes. Tips usually start at 0 degrees and go up to 90 degrees. The degree rating is the width of the water that comes out of the end of the lance. The larger degree tip, the less pressure. Too often we see 0 degree tips being used and damage is sure to occur. For deck restoration and rinsing of the cleaners/strippers a maximum of a green or 40 degree tip should be used.

Fuzzy Appearance

The fuzzy appearance on wood after it has been cleaned is the byproduct of using cleaners and strippers. This is a natural occurrence and you should not be alarmed. Over time the fuzzy appearance will go away. Splinters on the other hand should not be present after a proper cleaning of wood. When splinters occur, it is due to the use of too much pressure. See the pictures below for an example of each.

Spring Deck Cleaning and Staining

Spring has arrived! Someone knock on wood, quick! We are all looking forward to the warmer weather and the ability to go outdoors again. The winter months force us to hibernate and keep to ourselves…that is unless you are able to endure the harsh cold climate we live in during the winter months.

The spring cleanup plan is in full effect starting in March. Some of the common to do list items are as follows:

Exterior house pressure wash
Deck cleaning or deck staining
Patio pressure washing
Raking the yard
Gutter cleaning
Yard fertilizing

Bright Services offers a variety of the above services. When it comes to the exterior of your home and deck restoration, the earlier in the spring the better. It is so much easier to clean the deck before the furniture and barbeque grill have been taken out of storage and put back on the deck. NADRA – the North American Deck and Railing Association has a great checklist for maintaining your exterior deck. In addition, get the outdoor projects completed before the plants and vegetation are in full bloom. Now is the time to get started on those outdoor spring to do items!

Cedar Shake Roof Maintenance

Cedar Shake and Cedar Shingle roofs have been installed for hundreds of years. They have proven their longevity in all weather conditions and in all different climates. They are a natural resource and the beauty is unmatched. The oils that are naturally found in cedar, helps make them naturally decay resistant. Maintenance plays a large role in the longevity of a roof.

Dampness is the number one contributor to premature failure of a cedar shake or cedar shingle roof. The presence of leaves, debris, algae and moss are all harmful to a roof. The presence of these items prevent the roof from breathing properly, therefore keeping the roof damp for longer periods of time. This will in turn, cause damage to the shakes and shingles.

The following are recommendations for cedar shake roof homeowners:

Keep the keyways or the spaces between the shakes and shingles clear of debris. This can be accomplished by the roof being blown off.
Low hanging branches should be kept trimmed and away from the roof. This will prevent leaves from accumulating and will allow the sun to hit the roof – decreasing dry time.
Gutters and Downspouts should be cleaned regularly – In the Fall and Spring.
Proper internal ventilation and insulation will allow the proper temperature of the roof throughout the year. To much heat loss during the winter months into the attic or areas of the roof; can cause melting of snow near the peak of the roof and ice formation on the edge of the roof – leading to ice damming.

Fence Types and Fence Maintenance

Today there are many options for both homeowners and businesses to choose from when it comes to fencing and privacy options. Some of the most common wooden fence options are listed below:

Types of Siding – Pressure Washing Safe

The advancements in exterior home surfaces has come a long way over the past half a century. It is amazing to think that in the early 1960’s was the first introduction of vinyl siding. Today it competes as one of the most widely used exterior home surfaces. Additional types of siding are as follows:

Aluminum Siding
Vinyl Siding
Stucco Siding
Wood Siding
Brick and Masonry Siding

All of the above siding surfaces can be and should be cleaned. Over time contaminants grow and can easily be removed. The trick, however, is to use proper technique, pressure and cleaners. To often pressure washing is thought of to be a negative. This comes from the reality that there are many people that are untrained and using the wrong technique causing damage. Hire a professional to do the work to ensure your siding is properly maintained using safe pressure washing methods.

Pressure Washing – House Wash

House washing is a very affordable way to increase both your homes curb appeal and its value. Routinely maintaining the exterior of your home will keep it looking its best and preventing damage.

There are three common problems with house washing. These problems can still be present after properly pressure washing a home.

Oxidation: When metal is exposed to rain and humidity, it slowly deteriorates and causes oxidation. As oxidation occurs, the metal starts to stain a grayish film, which during the hotter months of the year bakes on. A prime example of this is usually found on gutters.
Shotgun and Artillery Fungus: These are also known as the “tiny black specks”.
Runoff: When power washing or pressure washing a home, a small amount of water will get behind the siding. Hours after washing, the water will start to make its way onto the exterior surface of the siding.