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TRUSTED BY PORTOLA VALLEY, CA HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.8
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon223
    Verified deck staining services reviews

Top-Rated Deck staining pros in Portola Valley - Updated Nov 2026

Avatar for A+ Painting
A+ Painting
4.9(
102
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Portola Valley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I used George and his crew for the 2nd time because I was so happy using them last summer. As expected, they did an excellent job and my house & deck looks great! George is so easy to talk to and he offers great advice and listens so well to my concerns. The best thing honestly to say about A+ painting is that George takes pride in doing a great job; sadly which is lacking these days with other businesses. I highly recommend him and his crew. He is honestly the best!"
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
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Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+97

Recommended by96%of homeowners
Avatar for Cal Preserving, Inc.
Cal Preserving, Inc.
4.5(
15
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: MediumExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain

Serving Portola Valley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1998

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Needed my deck sealed after a year of curing. Quote was high, but I decided it was worth it. Lots of positive reviews. Had some water marks from pots on the deck. After the first brightening there were still watermarks. I sent Bruce pictures and asked that the guys coming to seal make sure the watermarks were taken care of. He told me to point out the spots and they would take care of it. When the sealers came, I pointed out the marks and asked that they make sure they were taken care of before the sealing. They told me that the water marks were the result of leaving pots on the deck...duh. Obviously this is what happened, but was why I was paying Cal Preserving to take care of it. I don't appreciate having to convince my contractors I want something done the right way. I ended up calling Bruce and explaining that I felt like this was being done in a rush, but he assured me his team was professional and that it would get done properly. Placated, I decided to trust it would be OK, despite the static. That was my first mistake. After they were done sealing they asked for the check (before it had a chance to dry and for me to inspect the work). I told Bruce I didn't feel comfortable with this (over the phone), but he reassured me that they weren't that kind of company and any mistakes or issues would be taken care of. I gave the sealers the check. Mistake number 2. The next day I inspected the work to find huge sections of the hand rail completely unsealed and with power-washer damage. Also the water marks were still there and now sealed in. I took pictures and sent them to Bruce. He came out and we discussed the issues. He was nice and told me not to worry and that his guys would take care of it. Another iteration and the handrail was fixed, but the watermarks are still there. At this point I feel like I didn't get the full value of what I paid, and the hassle I went through to get to where I am now, which is barely passable should be avoided by others so I am writing this review. I don't mind paying premium prices, but when I do, I expect premium work. And if I find something wrong with the work, I expect it to be fixed without contention. The fact is I feel like the job was rushed, and I was pressured into paying early. I am a relatively new homeowner and this whole experience has just been a lesson learned. If the watermarks were taken care of, and the rail done right the first time, and nobody gave me static, I would be rating Cal Preserving with five stars. Take warning!"
 Deck - before
 Deck - after
 Deck - before
 Deck - after
 Deck - before

+2

Response time2 days
15 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by91%of homeowners
Avatar for New Generation Painting & Builders Inc.
New Generation Painting & Builders Inc.
4.9(
56
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: MediumExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain

Serving Portola Valley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"This company is the very best. My two old decks now look like they are new. The crew is very detail-oriented especially with the prep workâ -power washing and sanding â so the final staining is perfect. My windows were covered while they worked and everything cleaned up when they finished. Also, the price was very reasonable. I definitely recommend them!"
TRELLIS STAIN
FRONT DOOR
KITCHEN CABINETS REFINISH
STAIN TO PAINT
EXTERIOR PAINTING  PROJECT

+145

Response time2 hrs
Response rate94%
10 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Palma's Painting
Palma's Painting
5.0(
19
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Portola Valley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Welcome to Palma’s Painting! My name is Fernando Palma, and I’m a licensed painting contractor serving San Jose and the surrounding Bay Area. With over 13 years of hands-on painting experience, I take pride in helping homeowners refresh and protect their homes with quality workmanship and attention to detail.\n\nWe specialize in interior and exterior painting, cabinet refinishing, and surface preparation. From protecting your floors and landscaping to sanding, patching, caulking, and priming, we put care into every step to create a beautiful, lasting finish.\n\nAt Palma’s Painting, we value clear communication, dependable service, and respect for your home. Whether you’re updating one room or repainting your entire house, we look forward to bringing your vision to life.\n\nContact us today to discuss your project and request an estimate!

Logo
Exterior Front doors
Exterior Painting Project
Exterior projects
Exterior projects

+1

Recommended by52%of homeowners
Avatar for Wise Painting, Inc.
Wise Painting, Inc.
4.9(
52
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Portola Valley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2011

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"We requested an estimate to paint the exterior of our house and stain our deck. Our split level house was very challenging with wood and composite siding, four dormers, and three chimneys. Our roof was ceramic tile and quite pitched. After three different estimates, we chose Wise Painting who completed the job to our complete satisfaction. Henruy oversaw his paint crew to make sure the job was done without any problems and often joined in doing the work . We highly recommend their quality work."
Painting Walls and baseboard smooth finished
Fence
Fence
Wallpaper
Closet doors

+10

Response time1 day
Response rate87%
63 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Gruber Painting
Gruber Painting
4.7(
46
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Large

Serving Portola Valley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Gruber Painting did a great job painting some of the exterior parts of our home that get a lot of sun exposure and were looking pretty shabby. We felt their price was reasonable. The crew was friendly and got the job done on time. The only thing I can negatively say about the crew is the cleanup could have been better. We found tape left on the ground in several places and lots of the chipped paint all around the exterior of our home."
Interior
Interior Refresh
Craftsman Makeover
Downtown Restoration
Mediterranean Design

+57

Response time1 day
Response rate89%
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for FST Painting, Corp.
FST Painting, Corp.
5.0(
17
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Large

Serving Portola Valley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"I had inquired about living room/hallway and kitchen painting and Fernando was super quick and detailed when providing an estimate. The job was also completed within a pretty tight time frame but with amazing results! I now recommend this business to anyone who needs a small or big job done at home!"
Painting Projects
Painting Projects
Painting Projects
Painting Projects
Painting Projects

+17

Response time2 hrs
Response rate98%
3 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Deck Staining FAQs, answered by experts

Satin paint is generally considered a better choice for woodwork—including trim, baseboards, cabinets, and doors—than flatter finishes like eggshell or matte. Its soft sheen enhances architectural details and stands up well to frequent cleaning and daily wear. Compared to eggshell and matte finishes, satin is more durable for high-touch areas because it is less porous and doesn't absorb dirt as easily. Matte finishes, in particular, are prone to scuffs and are harder to clean, making them less practical for surfaces like doors and cabinets.

Limewash and whitewash are two techniques used to give brick a light, matte finish, but they differ in composition, application, and permanence. The best choice depends on your aesthetic goals and the specific surface.

Composition

  • Limewash: A natural and environmentally friendly option made from limestone, water, and sometimes pigments. It is breathable and soaks into porous surfaces like brick.

  • Whitewash: Traditionally made from lime, water, chalk, and binders, but a similar look can be achieved with watered-down white paint. It is paint-based and sits on top of the surface.

Appearance and Finish

  • Limewash: Provides a natural, textured appearance that allows the brick's character to show through. It offers a more traditional finish.

  • Whitewash: Creates a softer, more opaque finish, often used for a rustic or shabby-chic style.

Application and Permanence

  • Limewash: Is semi-permanent and can be removed, making it a good choice if you might want to change the look in the future. It requires more skill to apply and cannot be used on previously painted brick.

  • Whitewash: Is a more permanent solution. It is more forgiving to apply and can be used on painted brick. However, because it sits on the surface, it can trap moisture.

Ultimately, if you want a breathable, natural, and reversible finish for unpainted brick, limewash is a great option. If you need a more permanent, opaque coating that can be applied over painted surfaces, whitewash is the better choice. Whitewashing may also be more economical, costing approximately $1.40 to $4.20 per square foot.

When staining a deck, don’t skip surface prep, avoid staining damp or dirty boards, and don’t apply stain in extreme heat, cold, or wet conditions. Never overload the wood with a stain, as too much can cause tackiness or peeling. Also, don’t forget to test a small area first to ensure the color and finish look right.

There are more pros than cons when staining a deck. Deck stain is more affordable than paint, it protects the wood and allows the natural textures to shine through, and it can revive the appearance of your home. However, deck stain also requires prep work (sometimes days or more), carries more upkeep than a painted deck, and can fade over time if not cared for. 

You can paint over old paint on a concrete porch. For the best results, you should first clean the surface and remove as much paint as you can. A power washer is helpful here, but you’ll also want to scrape as much of the old paint away as possible. Then you should prime the porch before repainting it.

The Portola Valley, CA homeowners’ guide to deck staining services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.