Deck and fence staining in Ajax
Deck and fence staining starts with clean, dry wood and ends with the stain and opacity that suit the species and the weather it takes. Ajax is dominated by drywall subdivision houses from the 1990s onward, mostly occupied by families, with a band of older plaster streets near the lake. Older yards carry cedar decks and fences that have greyed and need brightening, and newer subdivisions carry pressure-treated decks that must dry out before a first coat.
Concept imageryAjax, on the ground.
Driveways and attached garages give the crew a clear path, and the work runs room by room around a family living in the house. The wood is washed, brightened and left to dry, failing stain is stripped, the surroundings are masked, and the stain goes on by brush and pad with railings done by hand.
Many houses in Ajax are full of children, so the finishes are chosen to be wiped down and the rooms are returned to use each evening.
Read more about painters in Ajax or the full deck and fence staining page.
On the quote, from the start.
- 01A moisture check on the wood and a look at the old finish to decide between a refresh and a strip
- 02Wash with a deck cleaner, then a brightener to lift the grey and open the grain
- 03Old stain stripped where it is failing, and smooth boards sanded so the new coat soaks in evenly
- 04Loose boards and popped screws reset, and badly rotted boards flagged for replacement before staining
- 05Stain applied by brush, pad or sprayed and back-brushed, with railings, spindles and stairs done by hand
- 06Plants, siding and patio stone masked, and a final walk around with you once the deck is dry to use
No figures published. The drivers, in order.
| Driver | What we look at |
|---|---|
| Square footage and railing length | The 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 finish | Bare 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 stain | Transparent 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 sides | A 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.
Deck and fence staining questions from Ajax
How early can you stain a deck in Ajax?
Once Ajax has a stretch of dry days with temperatures above the product's minimum and the wood reads dry on the meter, usually from [late May]. We book spring decks over the winter because the window fills quickly.
Can you stain my Ajax fence on both sides?
Yes, with your neighbour's agreement for their side. It is the most common fence request in Ajax because the colour and finish match from either yard. We mask their plantings the same as yours.
Can you do just one feature wall?
Yes. A single wall is a normal job, and it is where a deep colour belongs in most Ajax houses. The wall is filled and sanded, primed with a grey-tinted primer matched to the colour, and given two coats with the edges cut by hand at the ceiling, the trim and the inside corners. Both neighbouring walls are masked so the line is crisp. A small job, and one we are happy to book on its own.
Can you paint while we are living in the house with young children?
Yes, and most Ajax jobs run that way. We paint one or two rooms at a time, keep the sprayer to sealed areas, use low-odour paint, and have each room back in use the same evening. Floors and furniture are covered, equipment is put away at the end of each day and nothing is left where a child can reach it. We plan the order of rooms around bedtimes and nap times.