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TRUSTED BY LAKE FOREST, IL HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.6
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon560
    Verified deck staining services reviews

Top-Rated Deck staining pros in Lake Forest - Updated Nov 2026

Avatar for Mars Painting
Mars Painting
4.9(
26
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: MediumExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain

Serving Lake Forest, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 1992

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Mario and his team did an excellent job. The crew was prompt, professional, flexible and friendly. They helped making color choices and changes. The painting /staining and cedar wood siding repair was professional. Mario always returned my calls and came on site."
After Pic Romabio Limwashin Brick Lakeforest ,IL
Before Pic Limewashin Brick Lake Forest ,IL
After Pic Romabio Limewashin Brick in South Barrington.IL
Before Pic Romabio Limewashing Brick South Barrington ,IL
Before Pic Romabio Lime Washin in South Barrington ,IL

+35

18 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by76%of homeowners
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 Lake Forest, 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 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 Lake Forest, 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 Big League Painting
Big League Painting
4.7(
101
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Lake Forest, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"We are super happy with Big League Painting of River Forest and Alex in particular. I think the best way to say it is Alex really cares. I had contacted multiple painting companies for quotes. Alex responded quickly and offered to come by to give me a quote. Some companies just take the room dimensions but Alex walked around and carefully looked at what might need multiple coats, what repairs/patching might be required. He even recorded a video of our conversation to make sure all points would be addressed. Within hours, we had a very competitive quote. He gave me some options to include or not include some things to keep within my budget. After a quick phone call, I signed and paid our 25% deposit the next morning. Big League has multiple teams and they sent out a team of 3 to paint our entire interior (ceiling, walls and trim) and exterior trim within two weeks. Each day the same team showed up on time, was very professional and cleaned up at the end of the day. Alex personally stopped by almost everyday of the project to make sure things were going to my satisfaction. As we had just moved into the neighborhood, Alex went above and beyond and offered recommendations of location businesses as he grew up in the area. We were so impressed that we decided to add some additional work to repair and stain our back deck. Again we got a competitively priced quote and 'at cost' for lumber. They team ended up replacing a lot of boards and staining our deck. Needless to say, the interior / exterior / staining project was large and took a little time to complete. Any small areas that I wanted touching up inside were and outside are being addressed (subject to not raining). We are planning on using them in the near future once we do some construction work."
Lake Forest Home
New Railing
Deck
Crew Chief
2126 Harrison Street

+9

Response time11 hrs
Response rate92%
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Las Mela's Painting Co.
Las Mela's Painting Co.
4.7(
56
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Lake Forest, 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%
3 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Painter Bros of Greater Chicago
Painter Bros of Greater Chicago
5.0(
10
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: MediumExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Large

Serving Lake Forest, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. Our major focus is on the quality our work and producing outstanding results. We are committed to creating a level of value unmatched by any of our competitors. We look forward to building lasting relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction!\n\nWhy Work With Us?\n- Passion for Quality: I take personal pride in every project we take on—your home or business deserves the best.\n- Reliable & Professional: We show up on time, communicate clearly, and deliver results you can trust.\n- Local & Community-Driven: As a Norridge resident, I care deeply about our community and surrounding communities and the people that live here.\n- Licensed & Insured: Your peace of mind matters—our team is fully insured and trained to handle any project safely and efficiently.

Response time6 hrs
Response rate98%
15 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Deck Staining FAQs, answered by experts

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. 

The plastic in composite decking boards protects them enough that you do not need to paint them to prevent warping. In fact, painting composite decking voids the warranty of some manufacturers. Painting can also increase maintenance on the deck, as you must paint regularly to keep it looking its best.

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.

Yes, it is generally a very good idea to seal your deck after pressure washing. Power washing removes not only dirt and debris but also a thin layer of wood, leaving the surface exposed and more susceptible to weathering. Sealing is almost always needed after this process. After a general cleaning, sealing isn't automatically necessary if the existing sealant is still intact. You can test the surface by placing a few drops of water on it. If the water beads up, the sealant is working. If it soaks into the wood, it's time to apply a new sealant. If it has been a few years, it's wise to remove the old sealant, wash the deck, and reseal for maximum protection.

Whether to brush or roll stain on wood depends on the project and your preference. Brushing is ideal for smaller, intricate areas and offers more control over the application, ensuring thorough coverage and penetration into the wood's grain. 

Conversely, rolling is efficient for more extensive, flat surfaces and can save time. However, it is not always the best fit for textured or uneven wood. Some projects may benefit from combining both methods, using a brush for detail work and a roller for broader areas. Ultimately, the choice between brushing and rolling depends on the specific requirements of your staining project.

The Lake Forest, IL homeowners’ guide to deck staining services

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