Get matched with top deck staining pros in Cambridge, IA

Q: Can you paint or stain pressure-treated wood, and how long should you wait for it to dry?

• <div><p>Yes, you can and should paint or stain pressure-treated wood, as this helps prevent the surface from cracking. However, it is crucial to wait for the wood to dry out completely from the chemical treatment process before applying a finish. If the wood is still wet, the paint will not adhere properly. The drying time can range from weeks to six months. To test if the wood is ready, drip some water onto a board. If the water is absorbed, the wood is dry enough for painting or staining. If the water beads up on the surface, it needs more time to dry. You can build with the wood while it's still wet, but you must wait for it to dry before painting.</p></div>

Q: What are the problems with wood decking?

• <div><p>If you have wood decking, there are several <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/5-common-deck-problems-and-solutions.htm">common deck problems</a> that you might encounter. For example, your natural wood boards may fade over time due to things like sunlight, weather, and debris. On top of that, some types of wood decking can rot, grow mold, and attract destructive pests&mdash;including termites, carpenter ants, and woodpeckers.</p></div>

Q: What lasts longer on a deck, stain or paint?

• <div><p>When choosing between deck stain or paint, knowing what will last longer is important. Deck paint lasts longer than deck stain. With deck paint, you can get up to <b>10 years</b> of coverage before you need to reapply. With deck stain, that time is significantly shorter at <b>two to three years</b>. </p></div>

Q: How do you keep stain rags from combusting?

• <div><p>Rags used with oil-based stains are highly flammable and can spontaneously combust in the right conditions. To reduce the fire risk, throw them in a metal container after use and add rocks on top to secure them. Add an inch of water and seal the container. Take the rags in the container to a hazardous waste factory as soon as possible. </p></div>

Q: Can I paint over old paint on my porch?

• <div><p>Whether you can paint over your existing paint depends on what&rsquo;s on there. Most of the time, you&rsquo;ll want to sand down or scrape off the paint that&rsquo;s currently coating your surface. Epoxy paint, for example, won&rsquo;t let new paint stick to the surface. Latex paint is more forgiving and will accept a new coat, but a primer is recommended if you&rsquo;re switching colors.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Deck Staining pros in Cambridge, IA

*The Angi rating for Deck Staining companies in Cambridge, IA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Deck Staining needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Deck Staining companies in Cambridge, IA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Deck Staining needs.

Last update on August 07, 2026

Reviewed in August 2026
Fantastic Work. Looks amazing and would highly recommend. Higher these guys. They work fast and do exactly what you ask. My patio is a million times better than the deck I had previously! A+++
JMC Concrete, LLC.
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Reviewed in June 2025
Matt and Brent replaced the decking and stairs with composite and put on black metal railings. In addition a sun shade was added. They listened to our needs and suggest the best options. Sun shade not only shades the deck but also keeps the dining room cooler. They cleaned up everyday and...
F and F Construction Remodel, LLC
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Reviewed in June 2025
We chose Beam Construction to replace our aging deck based largely on the strength of the reviews on Angie's List...and those reviews were spot on. Ermin Artukovic examined our deck, made some suggestions, then gave us a detailed estimate. He was pleasant and sincere, wanting to make sure we...
Beam Construction, LLC
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Reviewed in April 2025
I am extremely happy with my deck floor. It looks really amazing. They really care about the work they do and Tyler is very honest about what does and doesn’t need to be done.
Timberbrook Builders LLC
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Reviewed in April 2025
They did a great job. Replaced my deck.
Iowa Home Doc
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Reviewed in December 2024
Central Iowa Contractor Services finished my basement and they did an amazing job! Plan to use them again when I get to redoing my deck.
Central Iowa Contractor Services
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Reviewed in September 2023
They were easy to deal with and willing to work with me on new supplies I needed to get, the job is not finished yet, it was my fault for needing to order new boards,I am confident they will finish when I get supplies, and the 98% finished deck is gorgeous!
Torres Painting
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Reviewed in May 2023
Had a rear patio poured around my deck. They helped with the design had it done in 2 days with rain on one of those day. They cleaned up site after.
D&B Construction, LLC
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Reviewed in June 2022
John not only built our deck, but he also tore down our previous deck that was due for a rebuild. During his tear down, he noticed water leaks coming into our home and also helped to fix and prevent future issues as a result. While tearing down the deck, we also had him replace our sliding patio...
Taft's Construction Services LLC
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Reviewed in June 2022
High quality work!! We needed some board replaced on our deck and he did a fantastic job and cleaned up his mess so well - deck cleaning could be another service they offer!!! Very pleased with the work and the price. I knew up front what it would cost and he allowed me to make changes when...
DH Remodel & Construction
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Find Deck staining pros in Cambridge

Midwest Paint

4.9(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Cambridge, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1999

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Couldn’t of ask for any better. They did a great job explaining the pro and cons of staining or painting my deck. No pressure sales, job was done fast and without any issues. Great price and great service. Highly recommend."

Commercial Exterior Painting Before and After

Commercial Exterior Repaint with color change

+13

Response time3 days

Response rate100%

Recommended by57%of homeowners

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Cambridge, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"They were flexible with scheduling. There were a few detailed painting lines that were missed."

Response time4 hrs

Response rate100%

13 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Prairie View Dreams LLC

4.7(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Cambridge, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2006

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Joseph did a great job - very particular about making sure everything was done correctly for us and he was often more particular for himself. He was conscientious about not making any mess and everything was extremely clean during and after the time he was here. He always texted prior to his arrival time. Very pleasant and interested in what we were doing. He even acknowledged our wedding anniversary which was during the time he was here! He did 2 garages, a master closet, and a master bath for us. We are very pleased!!!"

Recommended by80%of homeowners

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All Trades Construction and Maintenance Inc

4.9(

118

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Cambridge, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"The job only took an hour to complete and went smoothly. Todd made a suggestion on how to arrange the assembly as it was going from 4 holes down to 2 holes. It turned out great. I will definitely use All Trades again."

Recommended by98%of homeowners

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Cambridge, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"He was very respectful and did an amazing job"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Cambridge, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"I hired Zooks Look, Inc. to paint the exterior of my house. I could not be more happy with the results! Chris stopped by promptly upon my request, and looked at what I wanted done, and Robert and the crew got everything done quickly and efficiently. Their attention to detail was amazing, and they went the extra mile painting the house numbers, and even a decorative art piece I got to hang above the garage. I would give this company the highest praise!"

+20

Response time1 day

Response rate89%

Recommended by94%of homeowners

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Cutting Edge Painting, LLC

4.3(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Cambridge, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2010

Credit card accepted

"Great company to work with they followed through with everything and even come over to do a walk through with me after the job was finished."

Response time2 days

Recommended by90%of homeowners

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Cambridge, IA and surrounding areas

"Matt did an excellent job with multiple projects for me. He stained my deck and painted the interior of a couple of my properties. His price was excellent and craftsmanship was outstanding. I will be doing more business with him in the future."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Golden Touch Painters

3.9(

314

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: MediumExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain

Serving Cambridge, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Provided excellent service, and they went out of their way to make sure we were completely satisfied."

Des Moines Laundromat Interior Painting Before

+81

Response time1 day

12 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by95%of homeowners

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Welcome Home Moving Services

5.0(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Cambridge, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"They were excellent, I would highly recommend. Everyone was very professional and showed up right when they said they would. They were gentle and everything arrived intact. They had us on the road in no time."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Showing 1-10 of 57

Deck Staining questions, answered by experts

Yes, you can and should paint or stain pressure-treated wood, as this helps prevent the surface from cracking. However, it is crucial to wait for the wood to dry out completely from the chemical treatment process before applying a finish. If the wood is still wet, the paint will not adhere properly. The drying time can range from weeks to six months. To test if the wood is ready, drip some water onto a board. If the water is absorbed, the wood is dry enough for painting or staining. If the water beads up on the surface, it needs more time to dry. You can build with the wood while it's still wet, but you must wait for it to dry before painting.

If you have wood decking, there are several common deck problems that you might encounter. For example, your natural wood boards may fade over time due to things like sunlight, weather, and debris. On top of that, some types of wood decking can rot, grow mold, and attract destructive pests—including termites, carpenter ants, and woodpeckers.

When choosing between deck stain or paint, knowing what will last longer is important. Deck paint lasts longer than deck stain. With deck paint, you can get up to 10 years of coverage before you need to reapply. With deck stain, that time is significantly shorter at two to three years.

Rags used with oil-based stains are highly flammable and can spontaneously combust in the right conditions. To reduce the fire risk, throw them in a metal container after use and add rocks on top to secure them. Add an inch of water and seal the container. Take the rags in the container to a hazardous waste factory as soon as possible.

Whether you can paint over your existing paint depends on what’s on there. Most of the time, you’ll want to sand down or scrape off the paint that’s currently coating your surface. Epoxy paint, for example, won’t let new paint stick to the surface. Latex paint is more forgiving and will accept a new coat, but a primer is recommended if you’re switching colors.

The Cambridge, IA homeowners’ guide to deck staining services

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

See all articles

Deane Biermeier
•
Jul 8, 2026Jul 8, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Stain a Deck? [2026 Data]
The cost to stain a deck varies depending on its size, location, and type of stain. Keep reading to learn more about how much you might spend.
Scott Dylan Westerlund
•
Aug 3, 2026Aug 3, 2026
How Much Does Deck Replacement or Repair Cost? [2026 Data]
Deck replacement costs depend on materials, any structural damage you need to fix, and more. This guide explores how much it costs to replace or repair a deck.
Deirdre Sullivan
•
Jul 8, 2026Jul 8, 2026
5 Deck Stain Problems and How to Fix Them
Don’t let deck stain problems steal the spotlight from your outdoor space. Here is how to fix these issues before your next backyard party.
Erica Lamberg
•
Jul 8, 2026Jul 8, 2026
How Often to Stain Your Deck and When to Do It
The best time to stain a deck is when it’s dry but not too sunny. How often you restain a deck depends on climate and wood type, but every two to three years is normal.
Deirdre Sullivan
•
Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
What Are the Pros and Cons of Staining a Deck?
A well-stained deck is beautiful and durable. Dive into the pros and cons of staining a deck to help your outdoor oasis stand the test of time.
Angi
•
May 21, 2026May 21, 2026
Who to Hire for Deck Staining and Painting Services
Not sure who to hire for deck staining and painting? Learn which pros to call, how they work, and how to choose the right fit.