After living and working in Seattle as the owner of the Brazier Lumber Company, Stephen Brazier moved back to the area near his alma mater, University of Washington, where fell in love with the idyllic landscapes, diverse amenities, and pristine shorelines. An island community recognized as one of the state’s premier residential communities, Mercer Island, Wash., sits in the southern portion of Lake Washington connected to Seattle in the west and Bellevue in the east by a pair of floating bridges. Little more than 6 square miles of total land mass, the city also represents one of the richest ZIP codes in the U.S. and a coveted selection of properties, with a median value of $1.6 million.
“It’s a beautiful, secluded waterfront community [and] I jumped at the chance to move back to this quiet, residential city surrounded by beautiful lakefronts and heavily wooded areas," said Brazier. "We also have a retail district filled with shops and dinning to make the entire experience ideal for relaxing or just having a nice day in town.”
For Brazier, The 4,200 sq. ft., 4- bedroom home with a panoramic view was also an opportunity for Brazier to invest in a property that has more than tripled in value over the past 16 years. Part of his investment included the design and build of approximately 1,000 sq. ft of IPE decking, which enables Brazier, his family, and visitors to admire the great view Lake Washington and downtown Bellevue from the rear of his house.
Unfortunately, the one experience Brazier did not enjoy was the constant upkeep of the deck, which was regularly bombarded with pollen and the sap deposited by nearby fir trees. “It was like the evergreens placed a layer of glue on the decking,” said Brazier. “The sap was sticky and nearly impossible to remove except by power washing, which over the years wore down the natural luster of the IPE wood.”
On the recommendation of a local colleague, Brazier experimented with Nova USA’s ExoShield Wood Stain. ExoShield is specifically-designed to provide long-lasting, superior protection for exterior decking, siding, and outdoor furniture. Using a proprietary blend of Tung oil, UV blockers, fungicide, and trans-oxide pigments, ExoShield’s water-resistant, acid-resistant formula helps delay graying and protect against water damage, fungi and harmful UV rays. It is also formulated to enhance wood stability, reduce cracking or warping, and create a naturally durable finish with exceptional color-fastness.
Brazier started the project with a thorough power wash of the entire deck and then a gentle scrub with soap and water to ensure the surface’s cleanliness. This was followed by a liberal ExoShield application with a long-handled roller.
“ExoShield is so easy to use,” Brazier said. “After letting it soak in for about 30 minutes, we rubbed off the excess. The entire ExoShield process took less than two hours. Within two days the deck looked amazing. Plus, it still looks good after a tough, stormy winter. The results are far superior than anything we used in the past. We couldn’t be happier with the results and the natural way the stain restored the IPE’s natural luster.”
Launched in 2005, Nova is dedicated to the supply of superior, high-quality hardwood products and accessories. ExoShield is available through the Nova website or through the company’s national network of leading distributors.
For more information, visit www.novausawood.com.
