How often should you treat a wood deck?
The general rule of thumb is to stain a deck every one to three years. If if you haven’t treated your deck in over three years, contact a few deck staining companies to request a free estimate and schedule an appointment
What does it cost to stain a deck?
On average, it costs $674 to stain a deck. Expect to pay between 50 cents and $2.50 per square foot for re-staining. Cost factors include the square footage of the deck, the amount of sanding required to prepare it for staining, any repairs that need to be done, the type of stain used and more.
To find out exactly how much it will take to stain your deck, contact several local deck staining professionals and ask for free cost estimates.
Is it better to paint or stain a deck?
There are advantages to both painting and staining your deck. Paint gives you more variety of colors and lets you choose between bright and vibrant or muted and classic. Paint also lasts longer than stain and is much easier to maintain.
The stain has its own set of advantages as well. It’s more natural-looking and friendlier on the wallet. It also brings out the grain of the wood in your deck in a very striking way. Plus, it’s also easier to apply and can be painted over.
Who do I hire to get my deck stained?
You should hire a deck staining professional, company, painter or contractor. Although there are many contractors willing to stain decks — from the deck contractors themselves to painters, handymen and beyond — search online (or through an app like Thumbtack) so you can quickly see the top-rated professionals in your area and read their reviews. Whoever you decide to go with, make sure you also look at photos of stained decks they’ve worked on so you can gauge their quality of work.
How long should you wait before staining a new deck?
Pressure-treated wood typically has a lot of moisture, and you’ll need to wait until your deck is dry before applying a stain. This may take a couple of weeks. The weather and climate in your local area will also dictate when you should stain your deck. When in doubt, ask a local deck staining professional to inspect your deck and confirm if now is the right time to apply a stain.
How many coats of stain should you put on a deck?
A good rule of thumb is to apply two coats of stain on your deck. Two coats should be enough to cover the surface, but a deck staining professional can help you decide how many coats you should apply to your deck.
What are the advantages of staining a deck?
Staining a deck comes with a number of advantages, including:
- It prevents rotting by sealing out moisture, fungus, termites and other agents of decay, making it last longer.
- It saves it from wear and tear due to solar radiation.
- Staining your deck protects it against heavy foot traffic — an especially important consideration in areas that are common walking routes or that see lots of scooting chairs.
- Stain preserves the appearance and natural beauty of wood, bringing out the grain and keeping it colorful and bright through the years.
Talk to a deck staining professional near you to find out if it's time to stain your deck.
How long should you let a deck dry before staining?
It’ll likely take at least 24 hours for your deck to dry after pressure washing it. Wood is naturally absorptive, so you’ll want to make sure it’s dry before a professional applies the stain.
What are some common types of stains for decks?
There are several main categories of deck stain. The first is clear stains, which are essentially there to seal out water and preserve the wood without adding color to the deck. These can bring out the beauty in your grain, however. The next type (and a popular option) is a semi-transparent stain. They impart some color into the wood for aesthetic purposes. Finally, solid stains coat your deck’s surface like paint. This is the best option if you want to hide imperfections. Talk to a deck staining contractor today to discuss other stain options.
How do you prepare a deck for staining?
Preparing a deck for staining requires having the right equipment for the job, as well as being able to spot problem areas. If you do not own the right equipment or do not have sufficient experience to spot potential problems, it’s better to leave this job to a pro (like a professional pressure washing service).
Make sure you do any preparation, from pressure washing to scrubbing to sanding and repairing, when there is no rain in the forecast. At the very minimum, use a broom and/or a leaf blower to clear your deck of dust and debris.