"Squanklin" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have a new house with a deck that's been sitting in the sun for about
7 months. It needs treatment desperately. Is it beter to stain (our
preference is a semi-transparent color) or seal the raw wood with
something like Thompson's water seal?

I know once we stain, we're committed to the color. However, if we
seal, will the ability to stain in the future be hindered?

Thanks!

What is the deck made of? For woods like mahogany, ipe, cypress, etc, I'd
use Penofin oil. If it is pressure treated, I'd use some sort of colored
stain