What's included
- Decks, stairs and railings
- Fences, gates and pergolas
- Cleaning and brightening to remove gray and mildew
- Sanding to open the wood and smooth rough spots
- Transparent, semi-transparent and solid stains
- Deck boards flagged if they need replacing
How we do it
Estimate
Joe looks at the wood, checks for soft boards and old finish, and recommends the stain type that fits the condition.
Clean and brighten
A deck cleaner lifts the gray and mildew, and a brightener opens the grain so the stain can soak in.
Sand
Rough boards and railings are sanded so they are smooth to the hand and take stain evenly.
Stain
Applied by sprayer and back-brushed so it works into the wood instead of pooling.
Walkthrough
You see it dry, and anything that needs a second look gets it.
What affects the price
Railings and spindles are the slow part. A deck with a lot of balusters costs more than the same deck with a cable rail.
Stripping a failed solid stain is more work than refreshing a semi-transparent one.
Transparent stains need redoing more often. Solid stains last longer but hide the grain.
Every estimate is written and itemized so you can see where the money goes. Pricing is done in person because photos hide the prep.
Good to know
Sun is the enemy of a deck
At our altitude a bare deck goes gray in a season. A good stain and a refresh every two to three years is far cheaper than replacing boards.
Paint on a deck is usually a mistake
Paint sits on top of the wood and peels where people walk. Stain soaks in. If your deck has peeling paint on it, we will talk about stripping it.
Deck and Fence Staining questions
How often should a deck be restained?
Semi-transparent stains typically every two to three years in Utah sun. Solid stains longer. Fences a bit longer than decks because nobody walks on them.
Can you stain a brand new fence?
Yes, once the wood has had a few weeks to dry out. Staining it early is one of the best things you can do for it.
Do you replace rotten boards?
We flag them and replace the easy ones. A deck that needs structural work needs a carpenter first.