How long should I season my deck before staining?

• <div><p>It’s important to make sure the wood on a new deck is properly seasoned. Seasoning a deck is simple: Once you build it (or have a pro do so), just leave it alone so it can acclimate to the environment. If you don’t give the deck proper seasoning time before staining, the stain can lock in any lingering moisture and cause mold, rot, and other moisture issues down the road. Give the wood at least four to eight weeks to season before you stain.</p></div>

Get matched with top deck staining pros in Princeton, LA

Q: What is the best way to protect a deck?

• <div><p>The best way to protect a deck is to prevent damage from UV light, water, mold, mildew, insects, and abrasive cleaning methods. Sweep regularly to prevent debris that hides bugs and traps moisture that can result in mold or mildew growth. Use a deck cleaner once a year to remove algae, mold, and mildew. Avoid using pressure washers on high, as they can damage the wood. Applying a deck sealant can protect the wood from UV and water damage, and adding shade can also reduce sunlight damage. </p></div>

Q: Should you stain your deck or seal it for better protection?

• <div><p>Sealing a deck is better than staining in terms of protection. Stain on its own does nothing but change the color of wood, while sealing protects wood from moisture, insects, and UV damage. If you want to stain your wood, consider a stain-and-sealant-in-one to change your deck's appearance while protecting it from the elements. Reapply stain and sealant once every year or two.</p></div>

Q: How long should I season my deck before staining?

• <div><p>It&rsquo;s important to make sure the wood on a new deck is properly seasoned. Seasoning a deck is simple: Once you build it (or have a pro do so), just leave it alone so it can acclimate to the environment. If you don&rsquo;t give the deck proper seasoning time before staining, the stain can lock in any lingering moisture and cause mold, rot, and other moisture issues down the road. Give the wood at least four to eight weeks to season before you stain.</p></div>

Q: Are there alternatives for waterproofing my deck boards?

• <div><p>Beyond liquid rubber, homeowners can use sealants, stains, membranes, or tapes as waterproofing options. <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/polycrylic-vs-polyurethane.htm">Oil-based or water-based sealants</a> soak into the wood, creating a moisture-resistant barrier. Waterproofing stains&mdash;available in transparent, semi-transparent, and solid colors&mdash;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.</p></div>

Q: What is the difference between limewash and whitewash?

• <div><p>If you&rsquo;re deciding between <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/limewash-vs-whitewash.htm">limewash versus whitewash</a>, know that both have a chalky matte appearance. Limewash is made from lime, water, and sometimes pigment, while whitewash consists of lime, water, white chalk, and binders (though you can get a similar look with watered-down white paint). Whitewash has fewer options for color customization, and it sits on surfaces instead of being absorbed into them, which can trap moisture. Whitewashing costs less&mdash;about $1.40 to $4.20 per square foot.</p></div>

Enter your ZIP and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your deck staining project in Princeton, LA?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Verified Reviews for Deck Staining pros in Princeton, LA

*The Angi rating for Deck Staining companies in Princeton, LA 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 Princeton, LA 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 November 23, 2025

Reviewed in September 2025
My deck had a few rotted and loose boards and the stairs were in bad shape. Great quote, quality work, and quick turnaround time. Will certainly be using him again for my home projects and repairs.
Wood-Worx Home Renovations
Request a quote
Reviewed in October 2022
very professional visit to assess project, quick turn around on receiving a quote. work was complete in estimated time frame given. multiple follow ups to make sure we are still pleased with the job. there were cracks, stains, and chipped paint on our pool deck. It still looks great.
Blue Tide Exteriors LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in August 2021
If you have a leaning fence or need it stained or a deck built these are the guys to hire. I did for all three of the above and they really know what they are doing. They basically dug under the entire fence, straightened and reconcreted the poles, then reattached the fence. Afterwards they...
Milly Construction
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2021
Larry and Vanessa were great, they took down our shutters sanded stained and hung them back up. They stained my front door. They repaired and painted the outside stucco, dormer on the roof. They removed some bushes and they replaced the area with azaleas along with some cute annuals, which...
Vinny's Handyman Service
Request a quote
Reviewed in September 2014
I am very satisfied.The 3 men who came out were very polite and very professional in their work. They completed the whole job in one day just as they advertised. They cleaned up my yard afterwards, just the way they found it. I am very pleased with Ready Decks, and the way they did my deck. I...
Ready Decks
Request a quote
Reviewed in February 2014
Dancare was able to completely remove carpet stains that I had given up on. During the last cleaning they did 4 rooms stairs a closet and a large area rug. Dancare also does a good job cleaning up at the end and thoroughly raking the carpets.
DanCare Carpet Tile & Upholstery Cleaning Inc
Request a quote
Reviewed in October 2012
Daniel Speer gave us an estimate to replace all shingles, vents, and any wood decking that was bad and needed replacing. We authorized him to go ahead and he started the job the following Monday. His crew began as promised at 7:00am and stripped the old shingles, roofing liner, but did not...
SPEER ROOFING & CONSTRUCTION
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2012
Very nice guys ........showed up on time and did quality work. Very courteous and respectful .I would recommend this company to anyone looking for a deck/cover for their home or lake house .................awesome job !!!
Ain't Finished Till It's Dunn LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in November 2011
Tom helped us plan the work and suggested design approaches, many of them we ultimately adopted. Since the project was large, Tom also suggested ways to reduce the cost of the project, most of which we did not adopt because of our design preferences. The workmanship on the deck was excellent....
Narrow Leaf Inc
Request a quote

Find Deck staining pros in Princeton

Custom Exteriors LLC

5.00(

)

•Approved Pro

Custom Exteriors LLC

Customers say: Quick response

488 local quotes requested

Free onsite estimate

Custom Exteriors LLC provides a wide variety of interior and exterior renovation services in Shreveport, LA and surrounding areas. With experience since 2006, you can trust us to replace your flooring, counter tops, drafty windows, sagging roof or cracked siding in no time. We use top-quality materials manufactured by James Hardie, TAMKO, Window Mart and Senox.