Deck Restoration

Exterior Wood Care

Welcome to Exterior Wood Care

Welcome to Exterior Wood Care. We are expert craftsmen in restoring, refinishing, and preserving exterior wood since 2005. We work with all types of wooden materials:

Cedar, Exotic Hardwood, Redwood, Pressure Treated

As a part of restoration, or maintenance process, we DO strip and neutralize the wood surface, use light chemical pressure washing, staining and sealing. We also sanding decks and other horizontal surfaces. We DON’T build new, or rebuild old decks, but we can replace a few deck boards at your request

Please  contact us via the following form, and we’ll get back to you shortly:


 

4/11/25 update

Let’s get ready, folks!
Please email us if you need to have your deck cleaned this summer.

Just a reminder: most of our deck cleaning jobs usually happen in July and August because of the weather, so it’s best to get in line early!

ExWoCare Team

Work in Progress – Deck Cleaning

Take a look at a few photos showcasing the progress of this deck cleaning project. The deck was previously restored a few years ago, and fortunately, it was done without any major issues.

We’ve now removed the old coating using a chemical wash. Once the deck has completely dried, it will be ready for sealing.

“How Long Will My Deck Restoration Last?”

This is one of the most common questions we receive – and it’s a great one! However, the answer isn’t as simple as it might seem. Several factors play a role in how long your deck will look great and stay protected.

Key Factors That Affect Maintenance Longevity:

  1. Sun Exposure & Rain:
    The amount of direct sunlight and water your deck receives heavily influences how long the finish lasts. Decks exposed to intense sun and frequent rain will need maintenance more often.
  2. Deck Orientation:
    Sealer on vertical surfaces (like railings) typically lasts twice as long as on horizontal surfaces (like floors). That’s due to less direct UV exposure and reduced water pooling.

  3. Type of Sealer:
    We work almost exclusively with penetrating oil-based sealers. These are known for their superior ability to preserve and protect wood over time.

So, How Long Will It Last?

We like to break this question into two parts:

  • How long will the deck look good?
    On horizontal surfaces, your deck should maintain its appearance for 1–2 years.
  • How long will the wood stay protected?
    The protective qualities of penetrating oil can last up to 7–8 years on horizontal surfaces—and even longer on vertical ones. But that doesn’t mean you need to wait that long if the look starts to fade!

Pro Tip: Intermediate Maintenance

Doing a restoration of horizontal surfaces between full restorations is a great way to keep your deck looking fresh and prevent deeper wear.

And remember the golden rule:
If you clean it, you need to seal it. Cleaning opens the wood’s pores, and leaving it unsealed after cleaning can lead to faster deterioration.


Here are a few photos of a deck 5 years after its initial restoration to show how long-lasting proper care can be.

More Ipe Decks

We specialize in crafting exquisite projects with exotic hardwoods. While ipe is renowned for its beauty, its maintenance can pose challenges. Rest assured, our team has the expertise to ensure your ipe and other exotic hardwood projects are maintained to the highest standards, preserving their natural allure for years to come

Three levels deck

Behold this expansive, multi-level cedar deck in Seattle, meticulously cleaned, treated, and primed to continue enriching the owner’s life with joy.

Wood filler on a deck

While wood filler or putty can address rotten holes in wood, they are more effective for solid stain jobs. Here’s an example of how we used them alongside a penetrating oil finish

Typically, wood filler or putty is used to address rotten holes in wood (as shown here), but a superior approach is preventing the wood from reaching such a deteriorated state. Applying a penetrating oil finish protects the wood from within, warding off wood rot before it takes hold.

Delighted deck owners, happy results!

Teak deck

While teak wood may not be as common, it’s always a delight to work with such exquisite material, renowned for its natural beauty and durability.

Sanding

Deep sanding is often necessary to eliminate previous coatings on decks. A common error is applying heavy-duty solid stains, which can be challenging to remove. Always consider the removal process before applying any deck treatment, ensuring longevity and ease of maintenance.

Ipe deck @ Lake Sammamish

This was a large ipe deck project that we worked on. Stunning results speak for themselves.

Dry rot

In our climate, where moisture is abundant and sunlight scarce, dry rot poses a serious threat to wooden structures. Safeguarding your wood is paramount, and among the most effective treatments are penetrating oil sealers. Renowned for their ability to deeply penetrate and protect wood from the elements, these sealers stand as guardians against decay and deterioration. Trust in our expertise to preserve and fortify your wood, ensuring lasting beauty and resilience against nature’s challenges.

Furniture refinishing

While outdoor furniture restoration can be a labor-intensive and costly endeavor, some pieces are truly worth the investment. Take, for instance, a magnificent set of teak furniture. Renowned for its durability and timeless elegance, teak furniture epitomizes quality craftsmanship and enduring beauty. Despite the effort involved, restoring such a prized ensemble is not just a task – it’s a testament to preserving the artistry and value of exceptional outdoor furnishings.

Before and After

Witness the transformation! Behold our gallery showcasing stunning before-and-after images of our deck restoration projects. We take pride in our craft, expertly restoring weathered wood to its former glory. Let us breathe new life into your deck, making every surface a testament to timeless beauty and craftsmanship.

It’s time to reseal your deck

As nature takes its course, even the most stunning decks can succumb to wear and tear, leaving the wood weathered and unhealthy. Unsure if it’s time to revitalize your deck? Conduct a simple water splash test: pour some water onto the surface, and if it’s immediately absorbed by the wood, it’s a clear sign that deck restoration is overdue. Don’t wait until the damage worsens – take action now to bring back the beauty and health of your outdoor space.

2020

Here is an example of what NOT to do:

To effectively seal exterior wood, such as the fence depicted here, dry weather is essential for the products to penetrate the wood surface properly. That’s why we’re committed to working only when conditions are optimal, ensuring lasting results and value for your investment.

Unfortunately, this year’s inclement weather has already cost us nearly two months of the already brief sealing season. Nevertheless, our dedication remains unwavering in delivering high-quality work that yields the best outcomes for you.

Don’t end up like this guy—trust us for professional, weather-ready services!

 

Click to the picture to see a short video.

 

2016


if your handrails are painted

If you’ve got the handrails on your deck painted it is not real good by our book, but it’s not the end of the world.

Unfortunately, we can not restore it to beautiful natural looking wood. Our wood strippers will not work, because it designed for sealers and stains, and sanding will not work, because there is no way to get a sander down to every surface.
Here what you should do:
 – Get a good painter contractor.
 – Make sure, they prepare surface properly. They should pressure wash the handrails with house cleaner and bleach, scrub all pilled paint, then apply a nice paint, or solid stain with the color of your choice.
 – Make sure you’ll keep about a gallon of this stuff. If vertical will last about 8-10 years, top of the handrails will ware out twice faster. You’ll need to re-touch the top of the handrails sometime in the middle of this cycle.
 – And never ever use paint or latex-acrylic stain on horizontal surface of your deck.


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First project 2016 is completed

We love this deck at Mercer Island. Natural Cedar tone on clear cedar. Beutiful, isn’t it?


Natural Cedar tone


Tip from ExWoCare: The optimal temperature for the most sealers and stains to apply is between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit


10 years in business

Exterior Wood Care, Inc, F/K/A Deck Plus Plus, LLC is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary this month!
Hundreds of projects, hundreds of happy customers, great reviews on the Internet.

10 years clients map

2014 Showcases

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Defurring (light sanding) wooden surfaces

If chemical are used during deck restoration, wood might fur. Some companies coat it as is, other sand the wood. We use something different – defurring with nylon brush. It’s fast and beautiful, see for yourself (right side the wood is defurred)

defurring deck

Dock and barge at Pine lake project

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May 2014

Just another day at work.

Medium size deck needed a little love

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Cleaned and ready for sealer

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Ipe deck

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Cleaned…

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Pretty large project with balcony and nice furniture set sealed in Dark Walnut

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This deck was restored by our company 3 years ago. I proud we use a sealer this quality

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Cleaned and ready for another 3 years

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We’re booked for a month and a half ahead, but there is still time to order our service.