"Fabiano was a pleasure to work with. He was punctual when showing up to provide an estimate and to the project itself. He gave me accurate time lines and updates in real time when fixing my deck. After comparing 4 other contractors to replace my deck, Fabiano gave the best quote with no surprises and the estimate was spot on! I would absolutely recommend Fabiano for your next project"
"Derek and team have been to our house twice and soon a third time. Derek came the night we moved in and gave us a quote for some urgent work. The team fit us into the schedule and knocked out one large room and a fire place. The quality of work was AMAZING. They just came back and did our dining room, entry way and three other rooms. Will have them back again in spring to finish the remainder of the house. I highly recommend their services! PS - they also do deck staining and tile. Will be inquiring about that as well."
"Great Job. Work was done in a timely manner and with great care on cleanliness. We are very satisfied with the work performed and have already requested more work to be done."
"They did a great job. When there was a problem with stains seeping through fresh paint, owner Lisa Costas was eager to find a way to solve the problem, and she did. Everything was done to our satisfaction. The painters are the cleanest workmen I’ve ever hired. I will hire them again for any future painting we need done."
"John was very professional and prompt in cleaning my gutters. He has a great work ethic and took pictures of clogged areas. I will definitely use him again next year."
"Marlon and his staff did a great job painting our rooms. Quite a bit of prep to patch areas and they look fabulous. Marlon is a pleasure to work with. Great workmanship, clean, punctual, and very caring."
"A&G has been my trust worthy go to painter as well as handyman services for over 20 years. I have a historic 1855 house and they have always taken great care with the many painting and maintenance services undertaken over the years. In addition I have routinely used A&G for painting a maintenance of multiple rental properties."
"I just had some work done by RMJ Painting and I must say, if you want a contractor that's first going to be professional and respectful; second, include you in their step by step process to assure that no mistakes are being made so that they can move forward with your approval; and lastly, guarantee their work with a 1 year warranty then I would say with confidence to choose RMJ Painting. Rey and his team are great. The detail they took into painting my master bedroom (the patching of existing holes, the retaping along with the seamless painting) was remarkable. I can't say enough about how happy I am with the final results. I will definitely be using RMJ again for my future paint projects and I would definitely refer them to my friends and family."
"The painting was carefully done, Care was taken to have no spills, no uneven painted surfaces, and the contractor was respectful and courteous to work with. I appreciated him replacing some drywall joint tape that had come loose in two bathrooms. It’s those extra touches and helps that makes the difference. My home looks great with a fresh coat of paint! Nice work!"
"Everything went great. They showed up around 7 in the morning and were done by 3. They were polite and professional and they did a great job. It was exactly as we discussed, and I think it looks great. "
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.
You’ll need to restrain your deck when you notice fading, cracking, peeling, or mold and mildew over a moderate to large area, or when it’s become especially difficult to clean. As for how often to stain a deck, plan to do it every two to three years or whenever you start to notice extended damage.
Ultimately, overapplication of stain can compromise the deck's appearance, durability, and longevity. It may result in an uneven finish, with excess stain pooling, dripping, or drying into thick patches. It can also obscure the wood's natural grain and texture, detracting from the desired aesthetic. Moreover, excessive staining may not fully penetrate the wood, leading to poor adhesion and premature wear. Additionally, thick layers of stain are prone to peeling, cracking, and blistering as they struggle to bond with the surface.
Applying too much sealer to a deck might seem like extra protection, but it can cause more harm than good. Wood is a porous material with a limited capacity to absorb liquids. When you go overboard with sealer, the excess can't soak in and instead forms a film on the surface. This leftover layer is prone to peeling, cracking, and trapping moisture, ultimately defeating the purpose of sealing in the first place.
Wood stains last anywhere from two to five years, depending on exposure to the elements, your local climate, the type of stain, and the surface it’s on. For instance, vertical surfaces last longer than horizontal surfaces. Some types of woods, like dense hardwoods, will require a recoat yearly, as they are too dense for the stain to absorb. In any event, apply a recoat every 2 to 4 years. As for storage, a can of unopened stain can last up to 5 years, though results may vary.
The Hellertown, PA 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.
