Should I paint my deck with a brush or a roller?

• <div><p>You can paint a deck with either a roller or a brush, but rollers are more common because they’re faster. There are benefits to using a brush, though. Brushes offer more control than rollers, so it’s a worthwhile route if you don’t mind spending more time on the job. The fastest way to paint a deck is with a sprayer, but they’re more expensive than rollers and brushes and more likely to result in an uneven coat.</p></div>

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Q: What is the best way to apply stain?

• <div><p>Your tool of choice ultimately comes down to personal preference. Many DIYers prefer applying stain with a lint-free rag, but others stick with a paint brush or a roller. Wipe the stain and work it into the wood, working with and against the grain. If you&rsquo;re applying multiple coats, allow the stain to dry for around <b>four hours</b> between coats.</p></div>

Q: What paint will stick to composite decking?

• <div><p>It&rsquo;s best to use an exterior latex acrylic paint to promote maximum adhesion to composite decking. This flexible paint type can better cope with the natural expansion and contraction that can occur with composite deck boards. Oil-based paints won&rsquo;t adhere as effectively and are more likely to crack and peel as the boards flex. Testing whether your chosen paint will stick on an inconspicuous section or a spare board is a good idea.</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>

Q: How long does it take to stain a deck?

• <div><p>Provided conditions are ideal, staining an entire deck should take as little as a couple of hours and up to a couple of days to apply and cure. Additional procedures, like sealing a deck or using additional treatments, may extend the project by a few additional days. </p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Deck Staining pros in Au Sable, MI

*The Angi rating for Deck Staining companies in Au Sable, MI 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 Au Sable, MI 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 October 31, 2025

Reviewed in June 2025
Evergreen was amazing from start to finish. Dominic came out and gave us not only a fair price but also gave us multiple options to achieve the design and space we wanted. The crew was on time and worked very hard to finish our deck in a timely manner. The craftsmanship and expierence was...
Evergreen Deck Builders LLC
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Reviewed in December 2024
Kevin and company were able to grind, patch cracks, stain and seal my 30 year old, 1350 sqft concrete basement floor in less than two days. The result is beautiful! I also had Kevin epoxy my 30 year old, 2-car garage concrete floor with amazing results that all visitors have complemented when...
Webb Industries, LLC
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Reviewed in August 2022
I had multiple small things needed. Deck,repair and seal,yard regrade and grass seed, partial fence replace and new gate,rocks placed around garage. Jasen and his team did an excellent job. He was very helpful and made sure I was satisfied with each job as it was done. Very professional and...
Jay's Construction
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Reviewed in March 2021
They removed shoe molding, hung plastic to secure the rooms, sanded the floors, applied the stain and then the coats of poly. (over a 3 day period). They always let me know before they arrived each day and updated me on their progress and what would still need to be done. The floors look great....
Unique Hardwood Floor LLC
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Reviewed in July 2017
Carl is a great guy and someone who knows what he's doing. He was friendly, attentive, adaptive, and responsive during the entire process. He completed the deck on time and brought my vision to life better than I could imagine. I'd highly recommend him to friends and family.
CARL ZATSICK CARPENTRY
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Reviewed in August 2014
They did a good job on the carpet and couch. Even threw in a free stain removal which was nice. I would recommend the service.
CLEANTECH CARPET CLEANING
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Reviewed in June 2014
We are usually do it yourself people but our deck is huge and needed serious attention. I am so glad we found Gary. Gary Vargas is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen. He came early and left late, never seemed to take a break, just kept working. He was well prepared with all the...
American Cleaning Services
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Reviewed in July 2011
I was looking for durable lawn furniture and I stopped in at Northern Accents, I was shown photos of 3 yr old pieces, and was show what type of sealant was used. I was particully concerned as I had put an all weather sealant on some other chairs (3 coats) and they looked bad after one year of...
NORTHERN ACCENTS
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Reviewed in June 2011
They came and cleaned the carpet. When I woke up the next morning my house smelled terrible. There were new stains on my carpet. I called and left a few messages with him. He refuses to return my calls. I have my own carpet cleaner and went over it twice. We even had another professional company...
Noah's ARK Rainbow Carpet
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