Is it good to stain in Durham, NC this week?
A live 7-day go/no-go calendar for deck & fence stain in Durham, built from the local forecast against the 5°F-above-dew-point rule. We lead with the signal a weather app misses: overnight condensation risk.
- Dew margin
- 0.5°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 46%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 0.5°F of the 72°F dew point (low 72°F, 28% cloud, 4 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Dew margin
- 1.5°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 3%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 1.5°F of the 66°F dew point (low 68°F, 44% cloud, 4 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Dew margin
- 4.8°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 1%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 4.8°F of the 67°F dew point (low 72°F, 6% cloud, 3 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Dew margin
- 4.8°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 5%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 4.8°F of the 70°F dew point (low 73°F, 11% cloud, 7 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Dew margin
- 9.1°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 3%
- Window
- —
Too hot — high of 102°F is well over the 90°F ceiling; the film skins over before it can level or adhere.
- Dew margin
- 8.3°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 7%
- Window
- —
Too hot — high of 103°F is well over the 90°F ceiling; the film skins over before it can level or adhere.
- Dew margin
- 14.8°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 25%
- Window
- —
Too hot — high of 107°F is well over the 90°F ceiling; the film skins over before it can level or adhere.
- High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 0.5°F of the 72°F dew point (low 72°F, 28% cloud, 4 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Humidity peaks at 96% — well above the 85% ceiling; cure stalls and moisture gets trapped.
- Hot afternoon (93°F, ceiling 90°F) — stain early and follow the shade.
- Some rain risk (46%) during the cure window — re-check the radar before you start.
Hold off. These are forecast numbers — confirm the surface temperature on-site before you start.
Why these thresholds
Stain applied to a damp or dew-wet board can't penetrate — it beads, stays tacky and flakes. Wood must be dry and stay above the dew point while it sets.
- • Surface temp must stay 5°F above the dew point through application and cure (ASTM D3276 / ISO 8502-42).
- • Air + surface in the 50–90°F band (low-temp lines to 45°F).
- • Humidity under 85%; ideally under 70%.
- • No rain for 24h after application.
- • We use the forecast ground-surface temperature as a surface-temp proxy — confirm on-site with an IR thermometer.
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Watch this job site 24/7
Get an email the moment overnight dew, rain, or an out-of-range stretch threatens a fresh coat — and a morning digest with the best window ahead. No app to check; we watch the forecast for you.