Exterior Painting
Prep, prime and paint built for West Michigan winters, wind-driven rain and humid summers.
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Deck & Fence Staining in Grand Rapids, MI
Stain and sealer that protects exposed decks and fences from rain, snow and sun.
13+ years of hands-on painting experience
Deck & Fence Staining for Grand Rapids Properties
Decks and fences take every season at once. Snow sits on them, rain soaks them, summer sun bakes them and freeze-thaw cycles pull on the wood again and again. A good stain feeds the wood and shields it, and a worn-out one lets moisture in until boards gray, crack and splinter.
Staining is not painting, and the difference is in the prep. Old finish has to be cleaned or stripped, the wood has to be dry, and the stain has to soak in rather than sit on top. Applied correctly, it moves with the wood instead of peeling off it.
In Grand Rapids, wood is at its best for staining in the dry, mild stretches between late spring and early fall. We schedule around that, and we are straight about when conditions are wrong.
Signs your deck or fence needs staining
- Water soaks into the boards instead of beading on the surface
- Wood has turned gray or silver from sun exposure
- The old finish is peeling, flaking or worn off in walking paths
- Boards are dry, cracking or starting to splinter
- Dark spots of mildew or algae keep coming back in shaded areas
- Fence pickets look faded and uneven compared with when they were new
How a deck or fence staining job works
Check the wood
We look at the age, species and condition of the wood, and test whether it will absorb stain.
Clean and prepare
The wood is cleaned to remove dirt and mildew, and old finish that will not accept new stain is removed.
Let the wood dry
Cleaned wood needs to dry before staining, so we plan the job around the forecast.
Apply stain
Stain is applied with the grain and worked in so it soaks into the boards instead of pooling on the surface.
Allow cure time
We explain how long to stay off the deck or keep the fence dry so the stain sets properly.
What affects the cost of deck and fence staining
Staining is priced by surface area and prep, and these are the main factors:
- Square footage of the deck and the length and height of the fence
- Condition of the wood and the finish that has to come off
- Type of stain: transparent, semi-transparent or solid
- Railings, spindles, steps and other detail that slows the work
- Height of the deck and whether access is difficult
- Weather windows and the number of coats
Why choose AAR Painting for deck and fence staining
Staining depends on timing and prep more than any other painting work, and Alvaro has 13 years of seeing what happens to finishes in this climate. He will tell you if the wood is not ready and the job should wait.
You get a crew that treats the yard like part of your home: protecting plants and siding, and leaving the deck clean when the job is done.
We stain decks and fences across Grand Rapids and the nearby cities. See our Grand Rapids painting page and Grandville painting page.
Deck & Fence Staining FAQs
How do I know if my deck is ready to be stained?
Sprinkle water on the boards. If it soaks in within a few minutes, the wood can take stain. If the water beads up, there is still a finish or sealer on top that has to be dealt with first.
What is the difference between transparent, semi-transparent and solid stain?
Transparent stain shows the most wood grain and offers the least color and UV protection. Semi-transparent shows some grain and protects better. Solid stain covers grain and protects the most, and it looks like paint. We help you choose by the age and condition of the wood.
Should I stain a new deck right away?
New wood often needs to dry or weather for a period before it takes stain well, depending on the wood and how it was treated. We can tell you when your deck is ready.
Can you stain a fence as well as a deck?
Yes. Fences are vertical, so they use different application methods, and the stain and prep depend on whether the fence is new or weathered.
How often does a deck need to be re-stained in Michigan?
Decks in full sun and heavy snow areas wear faster than shaded ones. A walk around the deck each spring, checking whether water still beads on the surface, tells you when it is time.
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Learn moreGet a Free Quote on Deck and Fence Staining
Tell us the size and condition of your deck or fence and we will follow up with a free quote.