"I had such a wonderful experience with this company and their performance at my home. They did such a fantastic job and…"
Spencer Flynn
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.
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Honest Reviews from Real Homeowners
"Excellent painting service. Andrés López was very professional from the first contact, meeting deadlines and delivering…"
Viviana Torres
"I had a great experience with this painting company especially with Andres. He was an excellent person from start to fin…"
Yamilet López
"Can't say enough about the job Junior and Fernanda did on our interior and outside stucco. They were attentive to detail…"
Brian Wheelis
"I had such a wonderful experience with this company and their performance at my home. They did such a fantastic job and…"
Spencer Flynn
"Excellent painting service. Andrés López was very professional from the first contact, meeting deadlines and delivering…"
Viviana Torres
"I had a great experience with this painting company especially with Andres. He was an excellent person from start to fin…"
Yamilet López
"Can't say enough about the job Junior and Fernanda did on our interior and outside stucco. They were attentive to detail…"
Brian Wheelis
"I had such a great experience with this painting service. A friend recommended them and I'm so glad they did. They were…"
Veronica Pulido
"Excellent job all around. Incredibly communicative and punctual and takes the time to quickly understand your vision. Ev…"
Kris Hodges
"Thank you for the work you did in my house, the paint turned out just the way I wanted, and my living room looks like ne…"
Julieta Muñoz
"I had a great experience with the company and great professionalism from Ericsson, great communication and a great attit…"
Giovanni Garayua
"We've collaborated with That1Painter multiple times on different projects here in Austin, everything has always been smo…"
flexpainterstexas
"I'm very happy with the great job you did in my house. I highly recommend you and will continue working with you. Thanks…"
Natalia Castaño
"I had my full interior painted with That1Painter and I'm genuinely impressed. The whole process felt organized, clean an…"
St Luka
"I've been working with Kay from That 1 Painter, and he's an excellent professional. Kay has a remarkable work ethic, alw…"
Alexei Racila
"Had a great experience with That1Painter. They painted our kitchen and the result turned out beautiful, clean lines, smo…"
Victor Ross
"Herman and his crew are exceptional! Their work is beautiful and the professionalism is above and beyond. Will use him f…"
J Bammerlin
"They did a great job and didn't stop until the job was completed. They mean it when they say satisfaction guaranteed!"
Naveen Reddy
"I am an interiors designer and worked with Stephanie from That 1 Painter on a project for one of my clients. I couldn't…"
Monica Diaz
"Excellent company, thank you for painting the exterior of my house. You truly met all my expectations, great job! Thank…"
Carol Naranjo
"Excellent work and great service from the team! Thanks Andres for your support."
Kelly Aguirre
"Excelente servicio, muy responsables y el trabajo 10/10 me pintaron la casa y los contrataría otra vez, recomendado, And…"
Ramon Duarte
"I highly recommend this company 100%! They did an amazing job painting my entire house, and I couldn't be happier with t…"
Wilson Arocho
"We had a wonderful experience working with Anji from That 1 Painter! He was professional, on time, and went above and be…"
Carolina Zuniga
"Excellent service and professionalism. Ericsson, the project manager, demonstrated outstanding communication and attenti…"
Arick Liceth Zambrano
"These guys are amazing. Perfect job. Professional and very accommodating. I can't wait for them to do the outside of the…"
Kathy Mitchell
"That 1 Painter met my expectations and beyond. Tommy and his painters were very thorough. The house looks great. I highl…"
Brenda Danks
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
Cedar-Tone Deck
Mahogany Porch Refinish
Honey-Tone Deck Steps
Walnut-Tone Modern Deck
Wraparound Deck Refresh
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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Why Is My Paint Peeling? Top 3 Reasons Paint Fails
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Read More →Swipe to explore →
Can You Paint Over Wallpaper? 5 Easy Ways to Check Your Walls
Yes, you can paint over wallpaper, but only if it is smooth, fully adhered, and structurally stable.
Read More →What Is Paint Color Drenching? The Divisive Viral Paint Trend
Color drenching breaks all the rules by applying a single color across every surface in a room.
Read More →Why Is My Paint Peeling? Top 3 Reasons Paint Fails
The answer is almost always poor surface prep, moisture intrusion, or a product mismatch between primer and topcoat.
Read More →