"The owner, Anson, came by my house in South Augusta and gave me an honest assessment of my front porch. He pointed out a…"
Mikelden Mitchell
Deck Staining
but it doesn't fade.
Your Deck Staining Project, From Consultation to Completion
Your project manager inspects the deck for rot, evaluates the existing finish, and recommends the right stain type: transparent, semi-transparent, semi-solid, or solid. We walk you through color samples on actual wood.
1
Free Walkthrough & Stain Selection. Your project manager inspects the deck for rot, evaluates the existing finish, and recommends the right stain type: transparent, semi-transparent, semi-solid, or solid. We walk you through color samples on actual wood.
We pressure wash the deck to remove dirt, mildew, and weathered fibers, then strip or sand any failing finish back to clean wood. Once dry, stain is applied with the grain and back-brushed for even penetration.
2
Pressure Wash, Strip / Sand, Apply Stain. We pressure wash the deck to remove dirt, mildew, and weathered fibers, then strip or sand any failing finish back to clean wood. Once dry, stain is applied with the grain and back-brushed for even penetration.
After the stain dries to spec, we walk every board and railing with you and touch up as needed. We clean the site and tell you exactly when the deck is ready for foot traffic and full use.
3
Drying, Final Walkthrough & Cleanup. After the stain dries to spec, we walk every board and railing with you and touch up as needed. We clean the site and tell you exactly when the deck is ready for foot traffic and full use.
Honest Reviews from Real Homeowners
"From our first contact to inspection to pricing to crew painting, we have had a great experience!! Competitive pricing,…"
Felice Acker
"Great painting company to work with! They painted the outside of our house and the inside of our house and everything wa…"
Jamie Guidry
"That 1 Painter painted our house's exterior and we are very happy with the finished job. They took three days start to f…"
Susan Crabtree
"The owner, Anson, came by my house in South Augusta and gave me an honest assessment of my front porch. He pointed out a…"
Mikelden Mitchell
"From our first contact to inspection to pricing to crew painting, we have had a great experience!! Competitive pricing,…"
Felice Acker
"Great painting company to work with! They painted the outside of our house and the inside of our house and everything wa…"
Jamie Guidry
"That 1 Painter painted our house's exterior and we are very happy with the finished job. They took three days start to f…"
Susan Crabtree
"Eli and team were timely and professional. The whole process from start to finish was super easy and they did a really n…"
Tara Thal
"Absolutely amazing company! Kyle was our painter and he showed up on time, no messes made, and the paint job looks fanta…"
Ashley Shay
"Professional, punctual very attentive to details. Placed customer satisfaction first! Solid communication and service th…"
Joshua Taylor
"I was very hesitant using paint for cabinets. After researching varied options and after meeting with the sales person m…"
John Serio
"That 1 Painter completed exterior painting on my home and historic boathouse on the Saddle River. They did extensive pre…"
Jeffrey E. Kracht, ASID
"Joe did a wonderful job! Everything looks Great! He stuck with it and got it done over a four day period. Also him and J…"
Yvonne Herschberger
"Excellent work! Very professional, arrived on time and kept me updated. Will definitely hire them again. Highly recommen…"
Meg W
"Manny and his team are excellent. I needed my shed painted and the window and door trim as well as the doors replaced an…"
Teresa Pearce
Number of Territories
0+
Number of Paint Jobs
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5-Star Reviews5-Star
Reviews5 Star Reviews
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What Deck Staining Costs (2026)
83%
Average ROI on wood deck improvements
Zonda Cost vs. Value, 2024
$10,450
Maximum added resale value
Angi
2–3 yrs
How often an untreated wood deck needs retreatment
industry standard
Deck Staining Portfolio Gallery
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Walnut-Tone Modern Deck
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Elevated Deck & Stairs
Professional Stain Application
Finished Deck Refinish
Trusted Paint Partners
Our 3-Year Warranty
Your peace of mind, at the top of mind with our three-year transferable warranty. Covers the painting job, even if you sell the house.
Download Warranty
Deck Staining FAQs
It depends on the stain type, the wood species, and how exposed the deck is to sun and weather. As a general rule: clear and transparent stains need refreshing every 1–2 years, semi-transparent stains every 2–4 years, semi-solid stains every 3–5 years, and solid stains every 5–7 years. South-facing and west-facing decks in full sun fail faster than shaded decks. Decks that get heavy foot traffic also wear faster. The best test is visual: when water no longer beads on the surface, when the color looks washed out, or when boards start feeling rough or fuzzy, it's time to refinish.
Transparent stains have very little pigment and let the full wood grain show through, best for new decks in great condition, but they offer the least UV protection and need the most frequent reapplication. Semi-transparent stains add warm color and UV protection while still showing the grain, the most popular and balanced choice. Semi-solid stains have more pigment and obscure most of the grain. Solid stains are essentially opaque, like paint, and provide the most UV protection and longest service life, ideal for older decks where the grain is no longer attractive. The choice depends on the age and condition of your deck and the look you want.
Sometimes, but rarely without prep. If the existing finish is the same product type (e.g., semi-transparent oil over semi-transparent oil), is in good shape, has no peeling, and is fully clean, a fresh coat over a properly washed deck can work. But if the existing finish is failing, peeling, flaking, blotchy, or a different product type than what you want to apply, it must be stripped or sanded back to clean wood first. Skipping this step is the #1 reason deck stain jobs fail within a year. Our project managers will tell you honestly which scenario your deck is in.
When the existing finish is failing or when we're switching to a more opaque product (for example, going from a semi-transparent to a solid), yes, we strip and/or sand back to clean wood. When the existing finish is sound and we're applying the same product type for refresh, a thorough pressure wash with the appropriate cleaner and brightener is usually enough. The decision is made during the walkthrough estimate based on the actual condition of your deck. Stripping and sanding take more time and add cost, but skipping them when they're needed turns a 4-year finish into a 1-year peel.
No, new wood needs to weather first. Pressure-treated lumber typically arrives at the lumberyard with a high moisture content and surface mill glaze that will not let stain penetrate properly. Most stain manufacturers specify a 30–90 day weathering period for pressure-treated wood, and some recommend even longer (3–6 months) before applying a film-forming finish. Cedar and redwood need a similar wait. Applying stain too early traps moisture, prevents penetration, and leads to peeling. We recommend a quick clean and brightening of new lumber after the weathering period, then staining once moisture content is in spec.
The best windows are spring (after the last frost and once daytime temps are reliably above 50°F) and fall (before nighttime temps consistently drop below 50°F). The two non-negotiables are: temperature in the manufacturer's specified application range (usually 50–90°F) for at least 24–48 hours, and no rain forecast for at least 24 hours after application. Avoid staining in direct hot midday sun, it dries the surface too fast and prevents proper penetration. Most pros prefer mornings or shaded conditions on dry, mild days. We schedule projects with the weather forecast in mind.
With professional prep and quality product, expect 1–2 years on transparent stains, 2–4 years on semi-transparent stains, 3–5 years on semi-solid stains, and 5–7 years on solid stains. Sun exposure, foot traffic, drainage, and the wood species all factor in. A south-facing deck in full sun will need refreshing sooner than a shaded north-facing deck. Pressure-treated pine fades faster than dense hardwoods. The single biggest factor in longevity, though, is prep, a properly prepped deck with a mid-range stain often outlasts a sloppy job with a premium product.
No, composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, Azek, and similar) is not designed to be stained, and most manufacturers explicitly void the warranty if a stain or paint product is applied. Composite boards are a wood-plastic blend or fully synthetic, and stain doesn't penetrate or bond to them properly. Specialty composite "refresh" products exist but typically have a short service life and are not a substitute for new boards. If you have a composite deck that's looking faded, the best maintenance is a thorough cleaning with a composite-safe cleaner. If it's failing badly, board replacement is the realistic option.
Staining a typical residential deck runs $600–$2,500 nationally. Building a new wood deck runs $10,000–$20,000, and a composite deck addition runs $15,000–$25,000+ per the Cost vs. Value Report. Even a modest deck repair with board replacement typically costs $800–$3,000. Regular staining every 2–4 years is by far the most cost-effective way to extend the life of an existing deck, often 15+ years of additional service life for a small fraction of replacement cost. Deferring stain maintenance is what makes replacement necessary; consistent maintenance is what avoids it.
Most stains are dry to light foot traffic in 24–48 hours, but full cure, when you can put furniture, planters, and rugs back without leaving marks, takes 72 hours to a week depending on the product, temperature, and humidity. Oil-based penetrating stains tend to cure faster than film-forming finishes. Your project manager will give you specific timing for your project and the product used, including when the deck is ready for furniture, grills, and full normal use. Putting everything back too early is a common cause of impressions, marks, and uneven sheen.
Deck Staining Resources
Expert tips, how-to guides, and inspiration for your next deck staining project.
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Yes, you can paint over wallpaper, but only if it is smooth, fully adhered, and structurally stable.
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