Is it good to stain in Houston, TX this week?
A live 7-day go/no-go calendar for deck & fence stain in Houston, 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
- 4.1°F
- Overnight dew
- Watch
- Rain
- 22%
- Window
- 9am–5pm
Watch overnight dew — surface comes within 4.1°F of the dew point (margin is 5°F). Time the coat to dry well before evening.
- Dew margin
- 3.5°F
- Overnight dew
- Watch
- Rain
- 64%
- Window
- —
Rain likely in the 24h cure window (64% chance, ~11.2mm) — it can wash out or mar an uncured stain.
- Dew margin
- 5.9°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 67%
- Window
- —
Rain likely in the 24h cure window (67% chance, ~2.1mm) — it can wash out or mar an uncured stain.
- Dew margin
- 2.4°F
- Overnight dew
- Watch
- Rain
- 78%
- Window
- —
Rain likely in the 24h cure window (78% chance, ~8.6mm) — it can wash out or mar an uncured stain.
- Dew margin
- 6.4°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 63%
- Window
- —
Rain likely in the 24h cure window (63% chance, ~1.7mm) — it can wash out or mar an uncured stain.
- Dew margin
- 23.7°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 23%
- Window
- 8am–5pm
Clear to stain: temps 75–86°F, RH under 71%, surface stays 23.7°F+ above the dew point, no rain in the cure window.
- Dew margin
- 21.5°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 17%
- Window
- 8am–5pm
Clear to stain: temps 68–84°F, RH under 39%, surface stays 21.5°F+ above the dew point, no rain in the cure window.
- Watch overnight dew — surface comes within 4.1°F of the dew point (margin is 5°F). Time the coat to dry well before evening.
- Hot afternoon (91°F, ceiling 90°F) — stain early and follow the shade.
- High humidity (89%, over the 85% mark) slows drying — keep an eye on the cure window.
Caution. 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.