Decks and other outdoor wood structures experience a lot of wear and tear, whether it’s from kids, pets or weather. And yet, many homeowners neglect even basic maintenance. The North American Decking and Railing Association estimates that over half of the 60 million decks in the U.S. are in need of repair or replacement.
As your customers get ready for their spring cleaning, share these tips for completing exterior wood projects to remind them of these important maintenance tasks, establish yourself as a project expert and boost your transaction sizes.
All the Accessories
Customers need more than just stain or sealer to accomplish their exterior wood maintenance tasks. Here’s a list of the supplies customers need to complete the job. Merchandise these items together and educate customers on why they need each to boost transaction sizes and sell the whole project.
Application & Preparation
Small Surfaces
- Stain Brushes
- Pad Applicators
- Stain Mitts
Larger Surfaces
- Roller
- Roller Cover
- Sprayers
Detailed Cleanup
- Paint Scrapers
- Sandpaper
- Wire Brushes
Quick Cleanup
- Hose
- Power Washer
- Painter’s Tape
Sources: Deck Master, How Often Should I Seal My Deck?; My Handyman, How Often Should a Wooden Fence be Cleaned and Stained?; Backyardville, Keep Your Playset Looking Like New
Stain Time
Educate customers on how often they need to seal or stain different exterior wood structures. These timelines are a general rule of thumb; the exact times vary depending on frequency of use and climate.
Decks
- Stained every two to three years
- Sealed once a year
Fencing
- Stained once a year
- Sealed every two to five years
- Stained every one to two years
- Sealed every one to two years
