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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
17 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 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%
65 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Palma's Painting
Palma's Painting
5.0(
18
)
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

Credit card accepted

I'm Fernando Palma with Palma's Painting. After I graduated in 2013, I received a call from my former boss to officially start working in his company, I have worked in Painting ever since , doing and focusing in Exterior and Interior Painting . We have done many residential and commercial homes . \nAlthough Painting may sound simple enough, there are many steps and ways in getting things applied the right way , for example ; Any trim with Oil paint used in the past, must be sanded and de-glossed before applying Paint again, otherwise paint will just peel and scratch off easily . It's important that while getting ready to paint, you have done all the necessary steps to make sure you get a solid finish . \nFeel free to give us a call or text with no commitment . \n-Fernando Palma

Logo
Exterior Front doors
Exterior Painting Project
Exterior projects
Exterior projects

+1

Recommended by55%of homeowners
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

Painting a damaged pool deck is not recommended if the substrate is crumbling, cracking, spalling, or otherwise actively deteriorating. Continuing deterioration will result in the paint also delaminating or flaking off the damaged surface. Minor damage such as chips or hairline cracks that are not actively deteriorating can often be repaired enough to paint over. A damaged pool deck with a lot of cracking and deterioration should be replaced for best results.

It is not always necessary to remove old stain before restaining a deck. If the previous stain is in good condition and is compatible with the new stain, you may be able to apply a new coat after thorough cleaning. However, if the old stain is in bad condition, flaking, or peeling, it is best to remove it completely to ensure an even surface and proper adhesion for the new coat. Staining over a damaged layer can lead to an uneven finish and poor penetration. For best results, test a small area first and consult the stain manufacturer's guidelines.

In most cases, sanding an old deck before staining it is necessary to achieve a decent finish. If your old deck has a relatively new stain finish on it and you're only doing touch-ups, you can generally skip the sanding part. However, if your goal is to make the deck look and function better, sanding first is a must. 

Staining or sealing a cedar deck or fence is highly recommended to extend its lifespan and protect it from the elements. While cedar is naturally resistant to mold and mildew, it is not impervious to damage from moisture, sun exposure, splintering, fading, and rot over time. Applying a protective finish creates a shield that preserves the wood's strength and appearance, potentially extending its life by five to 10 years.

When choosing a finish, it's helpful to understand the difference between a sealer and a stain. A sealer sits on top of the wood, whereas a combination stain and sealer soaks into the top layer. Because it penetrates the wood, a stain generally offers better protection against UV damage and rot and lasts significantly longer. For the best results that also preserve the wood's natural color, consider using a near-translucent stain.

To maintain protection, plan on reapplying the stain or sealer every two to three years, either as a DIY project or by hiring a professional.

Liquid rubber is great for waterproofing, but it can damage your deck if it’s not applied correctly. First, it can trap moisture in the wood if the deck isn’t completely dry before application.  Second, applying it too thickly can create a heavy, rubbery surface layer that peels and cracks under fluctuating temperatures. For the best results, ensure the wood is completely dry before application, and apply the liquid rubber in thin, even coats. A quick inspection every now and then will help you catch any issues early, keeping your deck protected and looking its best.

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.