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TRUSTED BY HIGHLAND PARK, IL HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.6
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon751
    Verified deck staining services reviews

Find Deck staining pros in Highland Park

Avatar for MQ Painting
MQ Painting
4.9(
87
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Highland Park, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"MQ Painting was very professional in every aspect of the work they completed for us. They power washed every surface prior to painting. All surfaces were sanded or scraped as needed. Two coats of stain we applied to all surfaces. The garage doors were stripped, stained and varnished. The deck railings were completely replaced and painted on a very large deck. Originally, Jose thought only a portion of the railing spindles needed to be replaced. As the job proceeded it was apparent that all spindles and railing wood needed to be replaced. The only additional charge was for the materials, not for labor even though every spindle needed to be individually cut from larger pieces of lumber. MQ was the only painting contractor who bid on our paint job who was willing to do all the woodwork repairs needed on the deck. Other contractors said we'd need to have someone repair the deck and then they would paint it. We appreciated working with just one contractor. Their painting and carpentry work was top notch. All workers were neat, punctual and conscientious. All materials and tools were picked up and stored at the end of every work day. I discovered MQ Painting through Angie's List. I highly recommend MQ Painting and would absolutely hire them again."
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+3

Response time9 hrs
Response rate100%
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for MD Fine Touch Painters, LLC
MD Fine Touch Painters, LLC
5.0(
19
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Highland Park, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Marcus and team did a great job staining our fence and power washing our house. Competitive and fair pricing! Marcus was extremely knowledgable about paint/stain products and what application would be best to get our desired results! Very timely in getting us on his calendar and the team was very professional! Hire them! You won’t be disappounted."
exterior projects
exterior projects
exterior projects
exterior projects
exterior projects

+12

Response time1 day
Response rate100%
Avatar for Fortune Restoration
Fortune Restoration
4.5(
408
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Highland Park, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 1979

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"I've used Fortune Restoration in the past when I managed condominium buildings. After seeing the cedar siding work they did on a friend's house I decided to call Tom Fortune for my own residence. Tom took the time to listen and called his lead carpenter to discuss the various siding and trim options. He was able to write the estimate on the spot. They started quickly and there were no delays once they began. Their crews were communicative and professional. Tom also stopped by regularly to inspect the workmanship and make sure I was satisfied. Fortune removed the existing metal siding on the house, replaced the soffit and fascia with PVC which was quite labor intensive, sided the gable ends and small front dormer with cedar, stained the new cedar, and painted all the new trim and exterior windows. They left the area in very good condition. I'm very pleased with their responsiveness and quality of the work and recommend them without reservation."
Additional Photos
Brick Victorian
Response time1 day
Response rate100%
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Big League Painting
Big League Painting
4.7(
101
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Highland Park, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"We hired Big League Company for two big painting projects... garage interior painting and a very large outdoor deck with a full pergola above it. Patrick, the owner, contacted us quickly, gave us a detailed quote, and scheduled us within 3 days for the projects to begin. His crew, Ramiro and Asok, did excellent work...very hard-working and professional.The communication was excellent! We highly recommend this company!"
Lake Forest Home
New Railing
Deck
Crew Chief
2126 Harrison Street

+9

Response time11 hrs
Response rate92%
4 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Las Mela's Painting Co.
Las Mela's Painting Co.
4.7(
55
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Highland Park, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2013

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Jasmine and Angel were very well informed on painting, wood, power washing, carpentry. They were fast and efficient. The house, deck and railings look fabulous! They are very nice, friendly and have a strong work ethic. Las Mela's Painting is a winner and I will certainly hire again and refer them. Rich and Jan S. in Wauconda"
before
fence
fence/wood replacement
painted fence
painted fence

+111

Response time6 hrs
Response rate90%
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Deck Staining questions, answered by experts

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.

Always wait until the morning dew has dried before you stain your deck. The stain needs a fully dry surface to sink into.

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.

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. 

Various kinds of substances and deck preservatives act as protective coatings for wood to prevent rot, which is caused by water getting into the wood and creating cracks and splits. Stains, paints, and sealants are the three best options to protect your wood, but there are also oils, varnishes, and waxes available. You’ll need to reapply sealant at least once per year, and you should inspect your wood deck regularly to look for signs of damage or general wear and tear.

The Highland Park, IL homeowners’ guide to deck staining services

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