CTA Products Group

Having bugs swarming your deck can prevent you from enjoying a nice afternoon outdoors. The good news is that there are deck bug repellents that you can use to remedy this problem. If you are living in areas where bugs are a common problem, then investing in a deck bug repellent is a must.   Bug repellent products are specially formulated for a bug-proof deck or home by making them less attractive to bugs. They are easy to apply as they come in the form of additives to your deck's finishing. Most deck bug repellent also deals with other kinds of insects like ants, cockroaches, carpenter bees, ticks, wasps, mosquitos, and wood-boring beetles. They keep these pests at bay for years after application. The best repellents are designed as an alternative to poisons. A bug problem is not the end of the world. Yes, it's a dreaded issue. Nevertheless, you can do certain things apart from using repellent products to prevent and manage such types of pests. Here are some of t

Log homes are quintessential mountain holiday retreats. Although they are certainly beautiful and functional, log homes can be high maintenance. Overtime, they can go from vibrant to dull. Some people love this aged look. But if you don’t, no worries—you can always restore it. Here are five ways to do exactly that: • Assess the extent of the damage and its cause. It is important to know the main cause of weathering of your log home. If the damage is due to moisture, use moisture removal techniques to treat the damaged areas. If it is due to pests, call your local pest control to deal with the situation. • Use wood cleaners that are formulated to clean old logs without the need for high-pressure washing. Make sure it is also a mild bleaching solution that brightens up the color of the wood without causing damage. • Apply wood preservatives as this is what will prevent future decay and insect inspection. Look for solutions that are water resilient and do not peel off.

Wood color changes over time. If you don’t like the look of aged wood, you might want to stain your deck or patio to give it more life. Craftsmen use wood staining to liven up dull lumber. Staining is not just done for aesthetics; it also protects the wood. There are several types of wood stains for different kinds of wood and different purposes. For example, wood for making furniture and cabinets need interior wood stains that are usually oil-based. Exterior wood used for porches, outdoor railings, decks, and the like call for water resilient exterior wood stains. These products also come in different hues and finishes. This is why it is important to understand the kind of wood you are working with. Wood staining is a relatively easy project that you can do at home. Below are four steps to stain your exterior wood: • Prep your wood. Remove old layers of paint and old stains, then sand it down to give a clean and smooth canvas for the new stain. Determine its porosity by

Pressure-treated lumber is a type of wood infused with preservatives to prevent insect infestation and rotting. Even if you use this material for your home, you still need to make sure that it is properly stained. In fact, it is one of the measures you will learn when figuring out how to protect pressure treated wood . You just need to make sure that you are using the right products for it. Proper treatment will prolong the life span of your investment and minimize problems down the line. Staining pressure-treated wood is a good preventive measure, especially if you are using it for outdoor applications, like your deck. Staining will minimize surface cracking in the long run. Wolmanized wood is an example of pressure-treated wood made by wolmanizing, the patented manufacturing procedure. Before staining it or any other product, like Thompsonized wood, you need to make sure that the stain will still validate their warranty. When learning how to protect pressure treated wood ,

Log rot is a phenomenon that can destroy your log home’s beauty and integrity. As soon as you notice the initial signs, it is important to take the necessary steps to address and treat them. Preventive measures can also help keep log home rot at bay, and you can do this with high-quality clear decking oil . Just make sure it is EPA-registered and it can penetrate deep into the logs for all-around protection. Here are the kinds of log home rot that can be prevented with a good log oil: 1. Brown rot – This is usually the first sign you can notice when log home rot occurs. On its early stages, it is seen as tiny white spots. If left untreated, it can thrive and turn brown. At this point, it will eat into the wood and destroy the wood fibers, making the material soft until it eventually deteriorates. It creates a clear cube or rectangular-shaped cracks, too. A good clear decking oil with superior water repellency and help protect against brown rot. 2. Soft rot – It creates cavi

A beautiful wood deck is an asset and not only makes your home look good but also increases its functionality. It’s a great space for family gatherings and for entertaining guests. It’s always a good idea to apply the best decking treatment to ensure its longevity. Opt for oil instead of stain, as it penetrates deeply into the wood's cell structure, thus providing protection from within (and not only on the surface). You may choose to coat your deck with clear decking oil if you want to maintain its natural colors or with semi-transparent decking oil if you want to enhance your deck's appearance. The important thing is to make sure that the product you'll use can provide the following benefits: Protection from UV rays Your deck can get damaged because it is constantly exposed to the sun and its harmful UV rays. If it's not treated, your deck will show rapid changes in its natural colors. Aside from this, you might also notice the boards slowly becoming le