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  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.4
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon110
    Verified deck staining services reviews

Find Deck staining pros in Traverse City

Avatar for Painting by Don
Painting by Don
4.8(
74
)

Serving Traverse City, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Don and his crew just recently finished the exterior stain project on our home. Our specific thoughts: 1. Pricing was fair and Don billed exactly as he said he would; no surprises. 2. Incredibly competent, professional, and courteous crew. We had a great deal of "high" work (3 stories) and they accomplished this amazingly. Don played the point and regularly communicated with my wife and me. 3. In addition to staining, we had a great deal of cedar trim damaged by woodpeckers--Don and crew replaced the damaged trim and did an excellent job. 4. Don and crew showed up when they said they would, and finished on time--all positives. In conclusion, my wife and I would highly recommend Painting by Don if you need exterior work done. They are pros."
Exterior Painting
Interior Work
Decks & Patios
Doors
Painting by Don

+125

Response time9 hrs
Response rate97%
43 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Pro Wash Property Cleaning Services
Pro Wash Property Cleaning Services
4.8(
47
)

Serving Traverse City, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2006

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"They power washed and stained our deck. Excellent job!! They didnâ t rush anything and answered all my husbands concerns/questions. Joe was totally involved in the job and making sure it was done right. Would most definitely use again."
deck project
after washing and sanding
 used primer to fill cracks 
replaced upper platform
painted and ready to hoist guests.
deck project
deck project

+52

Response time9 hrs
Response rate88%
36 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Precision Painting
Precision Painting
5.0(
16
)

Serving Traverse City, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2014

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"We had Precision Painting stain the exterior cedar on our home and paint exterior doors. We were very happy with his work. We're going to have him do some interior painting this winter."
Exterior log home
Commercial bowling alley
Commercial bowling alley
Commercial bowling alley
Commercial bowling alley

+6

Response time3 hrs
Response rate94%
10 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Clearwater Handyman & Outdoor Solutions
Clearwater Handyman & Outdoor Solutions
4.6(
12
)

Serving Traverse City, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2022

Small jobs welcome

Customers say: Quick response

"Tyler and his crew went out of their way to get the job done in time for our event with great quality work! They made sure that the job was done to our satisfaction and Tyler and his crew are all super folks and easy to have around! We will definitely hire them again!"
Response time1 day
Response rate90%
14 neighbors recently requested a quote
Taylor'd Painting, LLC
5.0(
5
)

Serving Traverse City, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"We asked Dave for two projects 1) prepare and restrain a large deck and 2) remove, replace and paint miscellaneous wood trim on the exterior of the house. Dave contacted us within minutes of our request, arrived in the late afternoon to give us an estimate and began within a week or so. He did what he said he would and in a timely manner. He kept us informed each step of the way. We were so happy with his work we asked him to do another interior project."
Response time9 hrs
Response rate100%
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Adams Custom Painting, LLC
5.0(
7
)

Serving Traverse City, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Adam's painting coated my ceilings, including the cathedral ceiling, and stairways. They look brand new. The crew carefully moved everything. Covered what could not be moved. Even vacuumed before they put all the furniture back. Chris is very easy to work with. He even made recommendations to save me money. The crew is very pleasant, really hard working. And all for a good price. I don't know what else you could ask for."
Entryway into living room
Custom staircase
Custom staircase
Loft over living room
Living room lighting decor

+17

Response time5 hrs
Response rate100%
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Deck Staining questions, answered by experts

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.

Stain is meant to be absorbed by the porous wood, allowing some of the natural grain to show through. With that in mind, you don’t want to add more stain than the wood can absorb, as you risk covering up its natural markings. Generally, two coats is the maximum you should do, although very dense hardwoods may only be able to take a single coat.

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.

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.

If you have wood decking, there are several common deck problems that you might encounter. For example, your natural wood boards may fade over time due to things like sunlight, weather, and debris. On top of that, some types of wood decking can rot, grow mold, and attract destructive pests—including termites, carpenter ants, and woodpeckers.

The Traverse City, MI homeowners’ guide to deck staining services

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