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TRUSTED BY SANTA CRUZ, CA HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.8
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon85
    Verified deck staining services reviews

Find Deck staining pros in Santa Cruz

Lance Sanchez Painting
4.9(
162
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Besides delivering a very nice deck finish, Lance excelled in communications all along the way. Very quick to respond to texts, and always kept me in the loop with schedules, etc."
Response time5 hrs
Response rate88%
8 neighbors recently requested a quote
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 Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1998

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Very easy to work with. I'd used them before but this time I got estimates from other contractors and was amazed how much more reasonable Cal Preserving was. The difference may be that the others pointed to additional steps that could be taken. Did Cal Preserving "miss" these things or recognize they weren't necessary--I'm inclined to believe the latter."
 Deck - before
 Deck - after
 Deck - before
 Deck - after
 Deck - before

+2

Response time2 days
23 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by91%of homeowners
Avatar for Revival Painting
Revival Painting
5.0(
9
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Revival Painting work was absolutely perfect. Jonathan, the owner, was more than reasonable with the cost of my project. He showed up on time, when he said he would. He got the job started and was on the job to the finish. He helped me pick out the right stain for my deck as I was having a problem picking one and was so on target with the color. In finishing up, Jonathan, and his worker, did a walk through of the deck to make sure it was complete, did touch ups that were needed and completed the project on time. My deck looks wonderful! I'd hire him again in a heartbeat! Thank you Jonathan and Revival Painting! Quality work. Value extraordinaire!"
Kitchen looking into Living Room
Kitchen
Bathroom
Bathroom
Bathroom

+13

Response time9 hrs
Response rate93%
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Two Men and a Brush Painting
5.0(
22
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1983

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Scott painted all the interior walls in our new house, he patched and painted the garage and made it so much nicer, he painted our kitchen cabinets, which turned out beautiful and saved us so much money compared to refacing, and he also painted a tricky accent wall covered with reclaimed wood after patching it, and that changed from a weird problem to an elegant feature of the house. All these projects were expertly done on time while I was away, and his estimates for each were accurate and lower than those of his competitors. When I have other projects I will go straight to him."
Response time2 days
2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for John Melendez Paint Company
John Melendez Paint Company
4.9(
13
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"John was very professional. He went to great effort to match the stain we already had in another area of the yard and the job turned out great. He was prompt and easy to work with. I highly recommend John Melendez Paint Company."
5 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by92%of homeowners
Avatar for Transformational Color
Transformational Color
4.9(
12
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1987

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"Gregory and his team members are friendly and very easy for me to work with. Quality craftmanship and a thorough job seem to be at the top of their list. I saw this in their presentation, and also in their work."
Stain matching
Stain matching
Deck staining
Deck staining
Staining railings

+26

Response time1 day
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Deck Staining questions, answered by experts

Stains penetrate wood best when it's cool and dry, so you want to avoid moisture. If the wood is wet upon application, or if it rains before the stain dries, the water will soak into the wood and displace the staining solution. This leads to a flaky and blotchy look, which is the opposite of a sumptuous even coat. Once the stain has fully cured, after about 3 days, rain shouldn’t cause you any problems.

Avoid using cleaning products that are abrasive or contain bleach or acidic components on composite decking to avoid discoloration. Early-generation Trex decking isn’t designed to handle pressure washer cleaning—and if you use them on second-generation boards, always use a low setting to avoid the risk of damage that can risk voiding your warranty.

Beyond liquid rubber, homeowners can use sealants, stains, membranes, or tapes as waterproofing options. Oil-based or water-based sealants soak into the wood, creating a moisture-resistant barrier. Waterproofing stains—available in transparent, semi-transparent, and solid colors—add both protection and style to your deck. For heavy-duty waterproofing, deck membranes and waterproof tapes can be applied under the deck boards to direct water away from the structure below. Whatever method you choose, clean and prep the deck first to ensure the best, longest-lasting results.

A wood deck requires annual cleaning and regular inspections for loose or broken boards, nails, and screws. It should be refinished by applying a stain or sealer every two to three years to protect the wood from water damage, rot, mildew, and sun fading. The exact frequency can depend on the climate and the deck's exposure to sun and moisture. If your deck is painted, it will need repainting approximately every 10 years. Signs that your deck needs refinishing include faded, splintering, or warping boards.

Deciding whether to stain or paint a pool deck depends on your budget, desired look, and the deck's material. Both options can work. Paint offers a wider variety of color options, provides excellent water resistance, and can last longer. However, it requires a primer and can eventually fade or peel. Stain is often cheaper, easier to apply, and penetrates the wood for a more natural look and longer-lasting finish. It also has great water resistance. The downsides are fewer color options and the need for a sealant. The choice can also depend on the deck material; for example, staining may be a better option for concrete as it bonds well and lasts longer than paint.

The Santa Cruz, CA homeowners’ guide to deck staining services

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