Dek Gard: Superior Fire Retardant Additive for Stains and Paints

Protect your exterior wood surfaces without compromising on aesthetics. Dek Gard is a professional-grade, fire-retardant additive specifically engineered to integrate seamlessly with your favorite off-the-shelf stains and paints. Designed for high-performance protection in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zones, Dek Gard transforms standard coatings into a powerful defense against pre-ignition and flame spread.

Whether you are a homeowner fortifying a backyard deck or a contractor meeting strict building codes, Dek Gard provides the “invisible” safety layer required for modern fire-safe construction.

Why Choose Dek Gard Additive?

Standard exterior stains and paints offer beauty but often increase the fuel load of your home. Dek Gard changes the molecular chemistry of your coating to provide:

• Class A Performance: Engineered to help wood surfaces meet stringent fire safety standards, significantly reducing flame spread and smoke development.
• Universal Compatibility: Formulated to mix easily with most water-based (latex/acrylic) and many oil-based stains, sealers, and paints.
• WUI Compliance: An ideal solution for meeting CSFM 12-7A-4.8 Part B and other local fire marshal requirements for exterior wood structures.
• Preserved Aesthetics: Unlike heavy intumescent paints, Dek Gard does not alter the color, texture, or “look” of your chosen stain.

Technical Specifications & Use Cases

Frequently Asked Questions: Dek Gard Fire Retardant Additive

Q: Does Dek Gard change the color or finish of my stain?

No. Dek Gard is a clear, pH-balanced liquid additive engineered to maintain the exact aesthetic of your chosen coating. Whether you are using a transparent toner, semi-transparent stain, or solid acrylic paint, Dek Gard integrates at a molecular level without altering the pigment or the sheen (Matte, Satin, or Gloss) of the base product.

Q: How much Dek Gard do I need per gallon of paint or stain?

For optimal fire-retardancy and Class A performance, the standard mixing ratio is one 12oz bottle of Dek Gard per one gallon of stain or paint. For 5-gallon pails, we recommend using five bottles and using a mechanical drill-mixer for 3 minutes to ensure the fire-retardant salts are evenly suspended throughout the entire batch.

Q: Is Dek Gard compatible with all major stain brands?

Yes. Dek Gard is a “universal” additive compatible with the vast majority of water-based (latex/acrylic) and oil-based exterior wood stains and sealers. It is specifically designed to work with leading retail brands and professional-grade penetrating oils. Note: Always perform a small “jar test” if using a specialty high-solid silicone coating.

Q: Does this additive make my deck WUI compliant?

Yes. When applied according to the specified mix ratios on clean wood, Dek Gard is formulated to help exterior wood surfaces meet California Title 24 and WUI (Wildland-Urban

Interface) building codes. It provides an essential layer of protection against wind-blown embers, which are the leading cause of home ignition during wildfires.

Q: How long does the fire-retardant protection last?

The fire-retardant properties of Dek Gard will last as long as the stain or paint film remains intact on the wood. We recommend inspecting your deck annually. If the coating begins to peel, flake, or lose its water-beading properties (typically every 2–4 years depending on UV exposure), it is time to clean the surface and re-apply a fresh coat of stain or paint of your choice treated with Dek Gard.

Q: Can I use Dek Gard on indoor furniture or trim?

While Dek Gard is optimized for the rigors of exterior environments (UV and moisture), it can safely be used on interior wood projects where a fire-rated finish is desired, such as fireplace mantels, wood-paneled walls, or theater sets.