Any wood, if left outside for any length of time could fade, gray, or develop hairline checks in the surface of the wood. To reduce these signs of aging or weathering, a sealer or stain should be applied to the wood. Upon request, we use a high quality stain / sealer for all wood components. We also send some extra "touchup" stain as some scuffing may occur during installation. You should reapply the stain every couple of years, depending on your local weather conditions.