Is your deck looking faded? Try this.

Dear Contractors.com,

After the winter my wood deck is looking faded and worn. What can I do to protect the wood and keep it looking great for many years? I don’t want to have to go through this every year.

– B.K., Maryland

“We get asked this question at least once a week and the only answer is usually not what you want to hear,” says Cyril Keating of Arlington, Virginia-based Colonial Remodeling. “New wood decks will always need cleaning and staining every two years, if not every year.”

The fading and wear you see on your deck is normal. All wood grays with age, and with exposure to the sun and rain, but what you’re seeing may be plain dirt.

“My best advice for wood is to always keep your deck as clean as possible. Keep the leaves off and any dirt that accumulates. This will protect your deck from staining, mold and mildew,” advises Keating.

Having your deck power washed with a mixture of water and bleach, TSP or even plain dish soap could do wonders to restore the look of the wood. Then, use a high quality stain or paint. “You get what you pay for, and skimping on paint never pays off. And don’t forget to check the paint manufacturer’s recommendations for moisture content and temperature before applying,” Keating adds.

If all this maintenance seems like too much trouble and expense, there are composite products available for decks that are made of recycled plastics and wood, which require far less maintenance. These typically cost 30% more to install, but as a general rule of thumb, if you are going to keep your house for more than 6 years you will make up that cost in time and money you would have spent on maintaining a wood deck.