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07 · Exterior

Deck and fence staining

Stain only works on wood that is clean, dry and open enough to take it. Absolut washes the deck or fence, brightens the grey off the wood, sands the smooth areas and applies Benjamin Moore Arborcoat or Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck in the opacity you choose, from clear through to solid. We schedule around rain and moisture readings, not just the calendar, because stain put on damp wood peels the next spring.

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Cedar deck freshly stained in a warm semi-transparent brown with a garden beyond, concept imageryConcept imagery
What is included

On the quote, from the start.

  1. 01A moisture check on the wood and a look at the old finish to decide between a refresh and a strip
  2. 02Wash with a deck cleaner, then a brightener to lift the grey and open the grain
  3. 03Old stain stripped where it is failing, and smooth boards sanded so the new coat soaks in evenly
  4. 04Loose boards and popped screws reset, and badly rotted boards flagged for replacement before staining
  5. 05Stain applied by brush, pad or sprayed and back-brushed, with railings, spindles and stairs done by hand
  6. 06Plants, siding and patio stone masked, and a final walk around with you once the deck is dry to use
What moves the quote

No figures published. The drivers, in order.

DriverWhat we look at
Square footage and railing lengthThe deck surface goes quickly. Spindles, stairs, lattice and the underside of a raised deck are brushed by hand and take most of the time.
Condition of the old finishBare or lightly weathered wood needs a wash and stain. A peeling solid stain needs stripping and sanding first, which can double the prep.
Type of stainTransparent and semi-transparent stains go on in one coat and show the wood. Solid stains behave like paint and often take two.
Fence length and both sidesA fence is measured in linear metres, counted twice if we are doing your neighbour's side too.

Weather sets the schedule. Stain needs dry wood, a dry forecast for a day or two after, and a surface that is not too hot, so a July heatwave can wait just as a wet May does. Read the cost guide.

How this job runs

Walk-through, prep, paint, walk-through.

The four steps in full.

John looks at the wood, checks how the old finish is holding and what species you have, and asks how you want it to look: natural, tinted or a solid colour. The written quote names the product and opacity, the prep and the weather window we are aiming for.

The deck is cleaned and brightened and left to dry for [n] days, with a moisture meter deciding when it is ready. Failing stain is stripped, smooth boards are sanded, hardware is reset and the surroundings are masked.

Stain goes on one or two boards at a time to avoid lap marks, with the railings and stairs brushed by hand. Dry time before furniture goes back is [n] days depending on the product. The walk around with you happens once the deck is dry and the masking is off.

Questions about deck and fence staining

Transparent, semi-transparent or solid stain?

Transparent shows the wood and the weather and needs refreshing most often. Semi-transparent adds colour and more UV protection while still showing grain, and is the common choice for cedar. Solid hides the wood and old stains and lasts longest, but it can peel like paint if the wood was not prepped. We match the opacity to the state of the wood and how much upkeep you want.

How often does a deck need re-staining?

Horizontal surfaces take the weather and are usually refreshed every [n] years for a transparent or semi-transparent stain, longer for a solid. Railings and fences last longer. A maintenance coat on a clean deck is a one-day job, far quicker than stripping a deck that was left too long.

Can you stain a brand-new pressure-treated deck?

Not right away. New pressure-treated lumber is wet from the treatment and needs to dry until water soaks in rather than beading. That is usually a few months, sometimes a full season. Cedar and composite are different, and we test the board before booking.

When is deck staining season in Ontario?

Late spring through early fall, on days when the wood is dry, the air is above the product's minimum and no rain is expected for a day or two. Pollen in May and leaves in October both land in wet stain, so we watch the trees as well as the forecast.

Do you stain fences as well as decks?

Yes. Fences are washed and sprayed and back-brushed, both sides if you and your neighbour agree, with the posts and caps done by hand. A long run of fence with the neighbour's side included is the usual request.

Deck and fence staining by municipality

Where we do this one.

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Get a deck and fence staining quote. One call to book the walk-through.

Get a quoteCall 647-866-4255