What weather does to outdoor wood
Unprotected wood absorbs water, dries out in the sun and slowly breaks down. It grays, checks and splinters. Freeze and thaw cycles through a Hudson Valley winter speed that up. Regular staining keeps the wood sealed and looking good longer.
Preparation steps
Painters typically clean the wood with a deck cleaner, rinse, and let it dry. Old finish that is peeling may need stripping. Rough areas are sanded, and loose boards or fasteners are fixed before staining starts.
- Clean off dirt, mildew and old finish
- Let the wood dry thoroughly
- Sand rough or splintered areas
- Secure loose boards and nails
- Stain decking, rails, posts and stairs
Choosing a product
Transparent stains show the grain and need recoating more often. Semi-transparent stains add color and moderate protection. Solid stains hide the grain, last longer on fences and rails, and can wear on walking surfaces. The painter can suggest a product for the amount of sun and shade your deck gets.
Wood porches and steps
Many older homes in the village have wood porch floors and steps rather than decks. These are usually painted with a floor enamel instead of stained. If your project includes a porch floor, say so in your request so the painter brings the right products.
Good timing
Stain needs dry wood and a few dry days. Late spring and early fall are common choices. Avoid hot midday sun, which dries stain too quickly and leaves marks.
Check the structure first
Before any stain goes on, it is worth checking the deck itself. Loose railings, split stair treads, wobbly balusters and rusted fasteners should be fixed first. Painters often spot these during the estimate and may handle small repairs. Soft joists, rotted posts or a sagging frame are jobs for a carpenter or deck builder, and they should be fixed before the deck is cleaned and stained.
Typical deck staining costs
Published ranges from Fixr.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Decking and stairs, per sq ft | $2 to $5 |
| Handrails, per linear ft | $4 to $12 |
| 8 x 10 deck (80 sq ft) | $160 to $400 |
| 12 x 20 deck (240 sq ft) | $480 to $1,000 |
| 20 x 20 deck (400 sq ft) | $800 to $2,000 |
National ranges from the published sources below, shown as a guide only. They are not quotes, and older homes in the lower Hudson Valley often cost more to paint.
Sources: Fixr, staining a deck
Questions homeowners ask
How often should a deck be stained?
It varies with the product and the sun. A simple test is to sprinkle water on the boards. If it soaks in quickly, it is time.
Should porch floors be stained or painted?
Traditional wood porch floors are usually painted with a floor enamel. Decks are more often stained. Ask the painter what suits your wood.
Can stain go over old paint?
Not well. Penetrating stain needs bare wood to soak into. Painted surfaces usually get paint or solid stain, or must be stripped first.
Do fences need the same prep as decks?
Mostly. Fences need cleaning, drying and repairs before stain, though they get less foot traffic. Shaded fences often need more mildew cleaning, and posts at ground level should be checked for rot.
Other services
House painting
Full repaints for historic and newer homes alike.
Exterior house painting
Siding, porches, sashes and trim on older homes.
Interior painting
Plaster walls, ceilings, trim and doors.
Kitchen cabinet painting
Paint solid cabinets instead of replacing them.
Wallpaper removal
Strip old paper and prepare walls for paint.
Trim and siding painting
Sills, sashes, brackets, fascia and siding sections.