Deck staining and refinishing: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What deck staining and refinishing is

Deck staining and refinishing cleans and brightens a weathered deck, replaces damaged boards if needed, then applies stain or sealer to protect the wood from sun and water. People need it when the deck has turned gray, the boards are splintering or the finish has peeled away.

Signs you need it

  • The boards are gray, splintered or raised, and the wood feels rough underfoot
  • Water no longer beads on the surface and soaks in, which means the sealer has worn away
  • Stain or paint is peeling in flakes, leaving bare wood in patches
  • Some boards are soft, cracked or loose, and the nails have started to back out
  • The deck is overdue for a new finish, and the color is uneven across the surface

What the pro does

  • Inspect the boards, the fasteners, the ledger and the posts for rot, loose connections and insect damage
  • Remove the old finish, if needed, and clean the deck with a wood cleaner matched to the species and condition
  • Sand or brighten the surface to the grit suited to the wood, and remove the sanding dust completely
  • Replace damaged boards, reset loose fasteners and tighten the railings and stair stringers
  • Apply stain or sealer with a brush, roller or sprayer, working in the direction of the grain
  • Let the finish cure as the product requires, then check coverage and the color in daylight

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The deck area and the number of levels, railings, stairs and built-in planters
  • The wood species and its condition, including how much board replacement is needed
  • Whether the old finish has to be stripped, which takes far more time than cleaning alone
  • The stain type chosen, such as a semi-transparent stain, a solid color or a clear sealer
  • Access, such as a second story deck or a deck with tight space underneath
  • Repair of the ledger, posts or railings if rot or loose connections are found

What a written quote should spell out

  • Deck area and the board count to be replaced, with the species and size listed
  • Cleaning and brightening products named, and the sanding grit used
  • Stain or sealer brand, type and color, with the number of coats
  • Fasteners used for board replacement and the railing and stair repairs included
  • Protection plan for plants, siding and the house, and the cure time before use

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you check the ledger and the posts before you stain, and what happens if they are rotted?
  • What wood is the deck, and which cleaner and stain suit it?
  • Will you replace boards, and how do you match the color and the grain?
  • How long does the stain take to cure, and when can I walk on the deck?
  • Do you sand the deck, and how do you control the dust near the house?
  • Can you show me a deck you stained that is similar in age and wood?

Red flags

  • The pro applies stain over a deck that has not been cleaned or allowed to dry
  • The pro does not inspect the ledger and the posts for rot before the finish goes on
  • The pro says the stain will last for many years with no maintenance and no product named
  • The pro uses a film-forming paint on a deck where a penetrating stain was needed

What you can do yourself

Sweeping, clearing furniture, and cleaning the deck with a store-bought wood cleaner are reasonable homeowner tasks, as is applying a penetrating stain to a small deck in good condition. Replacing structural boards, the ledger or the posts, and any work on a second story deck or stairs should go to a qualified carpenter, because a deck failure can cause serious falls.

Licenses and permits

Deck refinishing with stain often does not need a license, but structural repairs, ledger work and new decks often require a permit and a licensed or qualified carpenter. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department about the rules for repairs.

Deck staining and refinishing questions

How often does a deck need to be stained?

It depends on the product, the sun exposure and the climate. A deck that is in full sun or in a wet climate needs more frequent recoating. Ask the pro to recommend a schedule for the product used.

Should I strip the old stain or sand over it?

Sanding works if the old finish is thin and the wood is sound. Stripping is needed when the finish is flaking or thick. Ask the pro to test a small area and show the result before the whole deck is done.

Can I stain a deck the same day it rains?

No. The wood must be dry, and the product needs dry weather for the cure time. Ask the pro how they check the moisture in the wood and what happens if rain arrives after the stain is applied.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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