Deck staining
Deck staining that starts with the boards you have
We wash the old finish off, let the wood dry, repair what's loose, then stain two thin coats where the wood needs them. Railings, stairs and the edges get the same care as the floor.
Decks here take sun, snow and shoveling. We look at which boards wear first, usually the ones that face south and the stairs, and give those the most attention.
Wash, dry, sand, then stain
Railings, stairs and edges written as their own lines
Samples brushed on your own wood
How a deck job runs
Three to four working days, with a dry day in the middle
The days move with the weather. You get the plan before we start.
Step 1: Day 1: wash and mask
We wash the deck, cover the plants and siding, and let it dry. Old coats that won't wash off are stripped.
Gray boards before the wash Step 2: Day 2: repair and sand
Popped nails are set, loose boards are fixed, and rough spots are sanded. Anything soft is priced before we replace it.
Nail heads checked board by board Step 3: Day 3: stain
Two thin coats where the wood needs them, rails first and floor last so nobody walks on wet work.
Stain on the floor boards Step 4: Day 4: walk-through
We walk the deck with you, touch up what we find and tell you the day it's ready to use.
Finish types
Transparent, semi-transparent or solid
Each shows a different amount of grain and ages differently. We brush all three on a hidden board.
| What you notice | Semi-transparent | Solid | Transparent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grain | Semi-transparentShows most of it | SolidHides it | TransparentShows nearly all of it |
| Color | Semi-transparentA real tone, wood still visible | SolidAny color, like a thin paint | TransparentWarms the wood a little |
| How it wears | Semi-transparentFades slowly, wears on sun-facing boards | SolidCan peel on foot-traffic boards | TransparentFades and wears away evenly |
| Next coat | Semi-transparentWash, spot-sand, re-coat | SolidNeeds the old film sound first | TransparentWash and re-coat |
| Best on | Semi-transparentMost decks | SolidWorn boards and old finishes | TransparentNew cedar and clear wood |
Deck questions
How long does a deck take?
Most decks take three to four working days from wash to final walk-through, with a drying day between the wash and the stain. Weather moves it, and we give you the plan before we start.
What if it rains?
We don't stain wet wood or ahead of rain. A rain delay moves the dates; it doesn't add a charge. We text you the new plan the same day.
What prep is included, and what costs extra?
Washing, light sanding and masking are in every estimate. Replacing boards, setting popped nails, rebuilding railings and stripping an old solid coat are written as separate lines.
When can we use the deck again?
We tell you the day at the final walk-through, based on the product and the weather. Keep kids and pets off the stained area until we say, and read the product data sheet.