Exterior

Exterior Wood Care by Robert Fasciano

The staining of your home is a process that requires a few simple but sound decisions, and a decent investment of money. It is the professionals job to help make the process as easy as possible.
Nature's elements are ruthless on your home's exterior. Water, heat, cold, and sunlight are the main culprits. Proper surface preparation is the key. Mildew, mold, algae, dirt, and sea salts must be removed by power washing and/or wood cleaner. Any loose peeling spots must be scraped and sanded.

Deciding the look you want is critical. Untreated wood looks beautiful new, but it will soon weather and decay. To preserve it's splendor, it must be protected from nature's punishing punches. Cabot's Stain is one of the high quality products that can be used for this kind of application. They offer several different looks.

	The "Clear" finish keeps the natural look and is water repellent, mildew resistant, and protects against the suns damaging ultraviolet rays.
	Semi-Transparent Stains are deep penetrating, lightly tinted, water repellent and mildew resistant. They enhance the natural beauty of the wood grain.
	Semi-Solid Stains bridge the gap between semi-transparent and solid color stains. They have twice the color of Semi-Transparent, yet still highlight the woods natural grain. Semi Solid is water repellent, mildew resistant, and will not peel.

All of the afore mentioned Stains should be applied by brush for a uniform, deep penetrating drip free finish.

Solid Color Stain is richly pigmented, fade resistant, water repellent, mildew resistant, long lasting flat, opaque finish that will not peel. For a superior job, the use of a stain primer before solid stain application will enhance the durability and performance of the finish coat.

Decking Stains are very durable. The alkyd resin bases provides a tough finish that is water repellant and mildew resistant. They are available in clear, semi-transparent, or solid color. Many houses and decks can be stained in one coat. Some jobs require two coats. Samples should be done. Extra coats will drive the price of the job up. When picking the colors, they should not only reflect your personal taste, but also the location and landscaping.

One important aspect of the job is to find the right contractor or painter. Most often than not neighbors can help with a referral and tell you about their experience with a particular contractor. Or, if you see a house that's done well, walk up to the home-owner and ask. Look for a full time, experienced, licensed painter. Someone who is punctual; someone who is responsible; someone who has an experienced crew to work as a cohesive unit to finish the job in a neat and timely fashion; someone who will be on the job full-time until completion.

Robert Fasciano-Housepainter (631) 583-7030 P.O. Box 186, Ocean Beach, N.Y. 11770