Deck & fence staining
Kansas City sun, rain and freeze-thaw are hard on exterior wood. We clean it, deal with any failing finish, and pick a stain that suits the wood’s condition, so your deck or fence is protected and looks cared for again.
Signs your deck or fence needs stain
- Water soaks straight into the wood instead of beading up.
- The old stain is gray, blotchy or peeling.
- A new or recently built deck or fence needs its first finish.
- You want to switch to a different color or opacity.
What’s included
Your written estimate lists exactly what we’ll do, so you know what you’re paying for.
Typically included
- Deck boards, rails, stairs and skirting
- Wood fences
- Cleaning and brightening wood
- Removing failing finishes where needed
- Applying stain and sealer
Good to know
- Loose or rotten boards are flagged at the estimate. Board replacement is discussed separately rather than stained over.
- Composite decking is not a staining job.
- Structural repairs to joists, posts or footings are outside our scope.
How your project will go
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Assess the wood
We check for soft or split boards, what finish is on there now, and whether water still beads.
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Clean
Dirt, mildew and grayed fibres are cleaned off so stain can soak in evenly.
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Remove failing finish
Peeling or flaking coatings are stripped or sanded back where needed, because stain can’t bond over a failing film.
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Let it dry
Wood has to dry out after cleaning before stain goes on.
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Stain
Applied evenly to boards, rails and stairs, working with the grain.
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Walkthrough
We go over the finished deck or fence with you and explain upkeep.
Transparent, semi-transparent or solid?
More pigment means more sun protection and less visible grain. We’ll recommend one based on how weathered your wood is.
Transparent & toned
Shows the most grain. Best on newer wood in good condition; needs recoating most often.
Semi-transparent
Color with grain still visible. A common middle ground for decks.
Solid
Covers like paint and hides weathering and mismatched boards. Once applied, you can’t go back to a see-through stain without stripping.
What to expect
- Stain needs dry wood and a dry forecast after application, so deck work is weather-dependent and dates can move.
- Keep furniture, grills and planters off the deck until we say it’s ready, and keep pets off wet stain.
- Decks wear faster than fences and siding because they’re horizontal and walked on; plan on periodic maintenance coats.
Products and finishes
- The stain product, color and opacity are listed on your estimate.
- Some products are oil-based and some water-based; we’ll recommend one based on your wood and any existing finish.
What affects your price
Every house is different, so we price each job after seeing it. This is what we look at when we write your estimate.
- Size
- Deck square footage or fence length, plus stairs and rails.
- Current finish
- Stripping a failing coating takes far longer than cleaning bare or sound wood.
- Wood condition
- Gray, weathered or rough wood needs more preparation.
- Opacity
- Solid stains can need two coats; transparent stains are faster but recoat sooner.
- Access
- Second-story decks, steep yards and fence lines along landscaping.
Payment: 30% deposit when you accept the estimate; balance due after the final walkthrough.
At the end: Final walkthrough; anything not right is corrected at no extra cost.
Questions homeowners ask
How do I know my deck needs staining?
Sprinkle water on the boards. If it beads, the finish is still working. If it darkens the wood and soaks in, it’s time.
Can new pressure-treated wood be stained right away?
Usually not. New treated lumber needs time to dry out first. We can check the wood’s readiness at the estimate.
Do you stain fences too?
Yes, wood fences can be stained along with a deck or on their own. Mention the fence length in your request.
Will you replace bad boards?
We’ll point out loose or rotten boards at the estimate. Replacing them is discussed separately so you know exactly what you’re paying for.