The prep is the job
Stain does not stick to dirt, mildew, or the loose gray fibers on a weathered board. The deck gets a low pressure wash with a wood safe cleaner, then a brightener that neutralizes the cleaner and pulls the natural tone back out of the wood.
Then it dries. Not overnight because the calendar says so, but until the moisture content is actually low enough to take stain. Staining a damp deck is the single most common reason a finish peels within a year, and it is why we build drying days into the schedule rather than hoping.
Semi-transparent, solid, or clear
Semi-transparent is what most people picture. It adds color while the grain still shows, it wears by fading rather than peeling, and it recoats without stripping. On a deck that is in decent shape this is usually the right answer.
Solid stain hides gray and mismatched boards and lasts longer on vertical surfaces like fences and railings, but on a walking surface it can peel and then it has to be stripped or sanded before recoating. Clear sealers protect against water but give you no UV protection, so the wood keeps graying.
New wood and pressure treated
New pressure treated lumber is usually too wet and too mill glazed to take stain right away. Depending on the wood and the season that can mean waiting a few weeks to a few months. We would rather tell you to wait than sell you a finish that will fail.
Cedar and mahogany take stain sooner and look better with a semi-transparent that lets the color through. Composite decking does not get stained at all, it gets cleaned, and we will say so rather than take the job.
Railings, spindles, and fences
Spindles and lattice are slow work and they are where a cheap job shows. Brushing and back brushing gets stain into the joints and end grain where water actually gets in, rather than just fogging the flat faces with a sprayer.
Fences are priced by the linear foot and the number of sides. If the neighbor side matters to you, say so up front. Washing is included in the price either way, and you can read more about that on our power washing page.
What we stain
Decks, porches, and fences across Moorestown and South Jersey.
- ✓Deck boards, stairs, and framing
- ✓Railings, spindles, posts, and lattice
- ✓Privacy fences, picket fences, and gates
- ✓Pergolas, arbors, and porch ceilings
- ✓Cedar, mahogany, and pressure treated pine
- ✓Stripping and refinishing failed solid stain
Common questions
How long does a deck stain last?
On a horizontal deck surface in full sun, two to three years for a semi-transparent before it wants a maintenance coat. Vertical surfaces like railings and fences go longer because they shed water and take less foot traffic. Shade, exposure, and the wood itself matter more than the brand on the can.
Can you go over the existing stain?
If it is the same type and it is wearing rather than peeling, usually yes after a wash. If it is peeling, or if you want to move from solid to semi-transparent, it has to come off first by stripping or sanding. That is a bigger job and we will price it separately so you can decide.
What about the weather?
We watch it closely. Stain needs a dry window before and after, and the surface temperature matters as much as the air temperature. We would rather move your date than put finish on wood that is about to get rained on or is baking at midday.
Do you replace bad boards?
Yes, we can swap out rotted or badly cupped boards and reset popped fasteners before we stain. New boards will not match the color of old ones straight away, and a solid stain is the only finish that hides that completely. We will show you the options before we start.
Related services
These pair naturally with the work above.
