Get matched with top deck staining pros in Boothbay Harbor, ME

Q: Should you stain or seal a cedar deck or fence?

• <div><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p></div>

Q: What paint is best for an old deck?

• <div><p>The best paint for an older deck depends on the material and whether or not your deck already has a coat of paint. Generally, if your deck already has paint on it, you should choose the same type of paint when repainting the deck. For example, if an old deck has oil-based paint on it, stick with oil; if your deck has water-based paint, choose water-based paint. </p></div>

Q: How many coats of whitewash do I need?

• <div><p>The number of coats you need to apply when whitewashing a surface depends on how opaque you want the final product to be. If you're going for a transparent, barely there look, a single coat or two may suffice. For fuller coverage, you'll want to use multiple coats. Another option is to use a less diluted paint to get a thicker coverage. </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>

Q: What happens if an oil-based stain gets wet?

• <div><p>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&rsquo;t cause you any problems.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Deck Staining pros in Boothbay Harbor, ME

*The Angi rating for Deck Staining companies in Boothbay Harbor, ME 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 Boothbay Harbor, ME 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 May 03, 2026

Reviewed in May 2026
L&B Services did a tear down and rebuild of an old deck. They really know how to build a solid deck with poured cement footings, sauna tubes, and sturdy lumber. Bob was very good at keeping us informed of the work to be done and the timeline. The deck was done on time. It is a large deck (30x12)...
L&B Services
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Reviewed in October 2025
Professional, kind, clean, and conscientious. Josh and crew prepped and stained my porches and gave my whole house a boost! I'll definitely have them back in the future!
Local Paint Company
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Reviewed in July 2025
David worked on our plumbing and deck repair. He did a very professional job on both. Highly recommend.
Hagen Construction & Design
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Reviewed in June 2024
Wow. The job was to build a porch/deck at ground level where a brick patio was. Russell came out to look at the job and the site. I described what I was thinking and its functionality--to get the dogs out of the mud before coming in the back door, and drainage for heavy rain, and to dress...
Davis Deck Solutions
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Reviewed in June 2024
Lou was great to work with and we were out-of-state at the time. He provided information so that we could select the color shingles that we wanted. Lou kept us posted at each stage of the process. The old roof was removed and the new roof installed and we are very pleased with the final...
Maine Coastal Home Improvement
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Reviewed in April 2024
We had a terribly DIY-ed deck from the houseâ s previous owner and it was definitely unsafe. Zack and his colleague (apologies for forgetting his name - Chad maybe?) demolished it very quickly and built us a set of sturdy pressure-treated stairs with a 4 foot platform that same afternoon. They...
Rock River Construction
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Reviewed in June 2022
The quote for replacing our asphalt shingles was in line with 3 others, but one other company was going to overlay existing shingles for the same price. Bradâ s crew did the complete job -full strip, new drip edge, underlayment, new shingles, everything in one day. And the yard, deck,...
Brad Freeman and Son Construction, LLC
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Reviewed in June 2022
Over the past few years 4 Seasons Roofing & Building has built a carport and deck for me. They also installed drainage around the perimeter of my home and sealed the foundation. They are currently remodeling the bathroom and adding a first-floor bedroom. I'll continue to contract with...
4 Season's Builders
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Reviewed in March 2022
Brandon is very thorough and reliable. I’ve had him work on several projects for me including septic, plumbing, countertops and deck repair and he’s always been great.
Coastal HPR
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Reviewed in February 2022
The deck was done quickly and professionally and looks fantastic. The only thing I wished was that an on site measurement and survey was done at the time we booked. In the end, the job was very well done and our next door neighbor hired Hynes to rebuild his deck after he saw the quality of the...
Hynes Roofing and Siding
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Find Deck staining pros in Boothbay Harbor

L&B Services

5.0(

)

Serving Boothbay Harbor, ME and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2014

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Great customer service. They were efficient and did an amazing job. I love my new deck!"

Response time1 day

5 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by46%of homeowners

Serving Boothbay Harbor, ME and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"I am overly pleased with the work from Riverside Painting!!!! They showed up exact as I was told!! The painting is flawless!!!"

Response time5 hrs

90 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by70%of homeowners

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Edwin Ingraham Paintings

4.8(

)

Serving Boothbay Harbor, ME and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2013

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Painters did a great job and were responsive. They did the exterior of my home and I'm happy with the work."

Response time5 hrs

Response rate93%

14 neighbors recently requested a quote

Serving Boothbay Harbor, ME and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Customers say: Quality work

"Zack and his crew did a phenomenal job, professional from start to finish, helped me pick the stain when I was unsure, trusted his judgment and came out great! Very clean workplace I’m looking forward to working with him on my other properties"

11 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by55%of homeowners

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Rein Green Painting, LLC

5.0(

)

Serving Boothbay Harbor, ME and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"We hired Rein Green Painting to repair and paint the exterior of a seasonal cottage in addition to replacing and sealing the lattice work at the base of the house - they've been very pleasant to work with and quite responsive - jumping on the project and completing it quickly - and they've done a great job, I recommend."

+107

Response time1 day

1 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by33%of homeowners

Serving Boothbay Harbor, ME and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Pleasant man to work with. Very knowledgeable, organized, and cleaned up every day. I Wouldn't hesitate to hire Myatt & Son again"

+16

12 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Morton painting

New to Angi

Serving Boothbay Harbor, ME and surrounding areas

Approved

Interior and exterior paint

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Doak and Co Contracting

New to Angi

Serving Boothbay Harbor, ME and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

We at Doak and Co Contracting focus on quality services over quantity. We use our experience and expertise to complete your project with perfection. Customer service and honesty are the most important aspects of our business and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Please call us today for an estimate. We look forward to working with you.

Response time11 hrs

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James Dickson

New to Angi

Serving Boothbay Harbor, ME and surrounding areas

Approved

hey there- My name is Jamie Dickson- i'm actually a senior pastor at a central maine church. Before pastoring I started one of the larger more successful painting companies in maine and before that worked with Sherwin williams company closely with product and specialty knowledge on job sites. Currently just looking for small jobs to help pay for my kids tuition to school. thanks!

Serving Boothbay Harbor, ME and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Zach and his worker, Ben, are real professionals and I would highly recommend them to anyone needing their house painted (stained), outside or in. We will hire them again in the future for deck staining and other interior painting without any reservations."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Showing 1-10 of 74

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.

The best paint for an older deck depends on the material and whether or not your deck already has a coat of paint. Generally, if your deck already has paint on it, you should choose the same type of paint when repainting the deck. For example, if an old deck has oil-based paint on it, stick with oil; if your deck has water-based paint, choose water-based paint.

The number of coats you need to apply when whitewashing a surface depends on how opaque you want the final product to be. If you're going for a transparent, barely there look, a single coat or two may suffice. For fuller coverage, you'll want to use multiple coats. Another option is to use a less diluted paint to get a thicker coverage.

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.

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.

The Boothbay Harbor, ME 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
•
May 30, 2026May 30, 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.