"Over the course of the last year Grady Jones Paint has worked for me on (3) different occasions to repaint our home interior. The scope of work included scraping the popcorn ceilings, flattening them and then repainting them; repainting all of the walls; painting our cabinetry; and, finally, staining the exposed woodwork on our deck. Clee was very responsive and visited the project every time his workers were on site. Tim and Eddie made up the crew who did the work. They were amicable, professional, courteous and did a GREAT job. I plan to use Grady Jones Paint for any future work and recommend them to anyone in need of a paint contractor."
"Cruz Home Painting LLC did an excellent job painting the exterior of our home. Jesús and his team’s attention to detail on the project resulted in a high quality paint job. Jesús communicated with us on all stages of the job and ensured that all parties were on the same page. The quality of work was definitely worth the price."
"Silva's Painting powerwashed my deck, screened porch, and ceiling then came back to paint them. Everything was done perfectly and has held up. I highly recommend David Silva and his crew for excellent work and friendly service. I am so glad he was introduced to me by a friend who would not let anyone else work on his house because of the quality of service. Ben"
"Mr. Evans and his team were upfront with their pricing, what I should expect during and after the exterior painting and were accessible via phone and email. The power washing team carefully removed my front port cha-cha so they could do a more detailed job - thanks. We were unsure of the stain we should apply on our front porch concrete and our wooden stairs, Mr. Evans provided suggestions. We defaulted to his opinion - we've received multiple compliments from our family and neighbors. We had four estimates, the others were very polite but the Evans team delivered. Steve M., North Raleigh"
"Paz painting was excellent. They did a great job with some repairs to rotten fascia boards and then painted our entire two story house. Quality of the job was very good and Paz painting was very professional and easy to work with. Price was also very competitive as compared with two other quotes we got."
"They came out quickly and gave me an estimate. I accepted the quote and they contacted me the next day with a time to do the work. THey came and did the work when they said they would and were finished in a couple of hours."
"H&M Contractor did a fantastic job on some exterior touchup painting that I needed. I have hired them again for a couple more jobs that I need done to the house. I highly recommend them. They do great work for a great price and are very communicative and prompt. Can't really ask for anything more."
"I have owned my house 20 years and there are very few contractors that I would use again. I got 6 quotes before I decided on Cortes Painting. I have had my house painted 3 times with other painting companies and Jose & crew did the best job. They repaired a bunch of bad siding and fixed a sagging fence too! I am so pleased with the way my house looked after they finished. I plan to use them next spring to put a fresh coat of paint on my porch and deck too. A great experience all around! Thank you Jose!"
Staining a deck is typically less expensive upfront than painting. The cost to stain a deck professionally averages around $850, with most homeowners paying between $550 and $1,250, depending on the deck's size. A DIY staining project can cost less than $100. The cost to paint a deck ranges from $500 to $2,000. While the initial cost of staining is lower, it's important to consider long-term expenses. Paint can last up to 10 years, whereas stain needs to be reapplied every few years, which could lead to higher costs over time.
For homes in areas with extreme weather, high heat, or intense sun exposure, high-quality acrylic paint is the best option. Acrylic paint is durable, resistant to both heat and cold, and provides a protective barrier with excellent UV resistance. For best results, look for acrylics that contain natural earth pigments, which are better suited for resisting sun damage. While oil-based paint is also durable, it can be prone to fading in high heat and can become too viscous to apply easily in cold temperatures. Additionally, choosing a neutral or light color like gray, beige, or white can help, as these colors absorb less heat than darker shades.
Yes, it's a good idea to sand the wall with fine-grit sandpaper after spackling, especially if you plan on painting. You can do this by hand or using a sander, but the idea is to ensure the spackle is flush with the wall. Sanding will give your wall a smooth, uniform finish and help your paint and wallpaper stay put.
Opt for an interior wood stain that is rated for your type of wood. Consider your personal style preferences as well as the overall use of the room when choosing a color. Remember, the color you see at the store may look different on your actual floors once applied. This is why if you have the chance, it’s helpful to test a few options on a scrap piece of wood in the room first. Once you narrow it down, you can test a small patch on an inconspicuous area in the room to see it on the actual floors.
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’re applying multiple coats, allow the stain to dry for around four hours between coats.
The Apex, NC homeowners’ guide to deck staining services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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.
