What is better: wet-sanding or dry-sanding?

• <div><p>Wet-sanding and dry-sanding each have pros and cons. Dry-sanding is less messy, so it’s a good option if you’re trying to minimize dust (for example, if you’re sanding an occupied home or working with particularly dry or dusty drywall mud). However, dry-sanding is quicker because you don’t have to keep rinsing a sponge or wait for it to dry before painting.</p></div>

Get matched with top deck staining pros in Montrose, PA

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 stain last?

• <div><p>A properly applied coat of stain will last between 3 and 8 years, depending on your climate. If you live in a place where your fence experiences a lot of moisture or high heat, your stain will last for a shorter period than in more temperate conditions. We recommend reapplying stain every 3 to 5 years to keep your wood in good condition.</p></div>

Q: How many coats of stain on a deck?

• <div><p>Two coats of stain are ideal for the best protection and aesthetic appeal. However, if your decking is made of particularly dense hardwood, you may only need one coat. If you want an intense color, two coats are ideal. </p></div>

Q: Can liquid rubber damage my deck?

• <div><p>Liquid rubber is great for waterproofing, but it can damage your deck if it&rsquo;s not applied correctly. First, it can trap moisture in the wood if the deck isn&rsquo;t completely dry before application. Second, applying it too thickly can create a heavy, rubbery surface layer that peels and cracks under fluctuating temperatures. For the best results, ensure the wood is completely dry before application, and apply the liquid rubber in thin, even coats. A quick inspection every now and then will help you catch any issues early, keeping your deck protected and looking its best.</p></div>

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your deck staining project in Montrose, PA?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Verified Reviews for Deck Staining pros in Montrose, PA

*The Angi rating for Deck Staining companies in Montrose, PA 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 Montrose, PA 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 June 30, 2026

Reviewed in June 2026
He was gruff on the phone while making assumptions about my deck replacement before he even saw it. His concern was the the floor joists were probably too wide. I said another contractor, who actually saw the deck, did not have his concern and that he ought to come out to see the deck to know...
FITANDFINISH CONSTRUCTION LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in April 2024
Joe Smith from modern scapes and Hydroseeding did an absolutely fantastic job replacing my old deck. He was always in contact with me with any questions he had about what I wanted. It was done in a timely fashion and it is a beautiful well built sturdy deck. I highly recommend him for anybody...
Modern Scapes and Hydroseeding
Request a quote
Reviewed in January 2024
Replaced a wooden deck with PVC decking and extended the deck down a level with a new deck to a swim spa with the same PVC decking and added vinyl railings throughout.
Jack Rizzuto Remodeling
Request a quote
Reviewed in July 2023
Very professional. The crew worked very hard through hot summer temperatures to get the job done. We are very happy with the new look of our house, garage & decks. Only a few minor complaints - some damage to flowers around the house & garage, and some problems with scheduling (partly...
Snyder's Painting
Request a quote
Reviewed in November 2022
They did fine work for us. They did install stamped concrete around our pool deck. The only issue was they did cause a little damage during the installation on a window support. I had to contact them about them and they responded quickly that they would try to fix it. But the work performed was...
Starkrete
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2021
Northern Tier Hyrdro Wash was a pleasure to work with. They arrived right on time, were energetic and customer focused. This family run business were reasonable, looked over the job, made the necessary adjustments for the one older portion of the deck, covered the rose bushes and did a great...
Northern Tier Hydro Wash
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2021
An independent contractor who has sided our personal home & built a 2nd story deck in 2016 and sided a rental home In 2020. Harry is a hard worker with impeccable skills. He is a dedicated worker and is by no means a slacker. Harry sometimes works 7 days a week to complete a job...we...
Hahnebach Construction
Request a quote
Reviewed in March 2020
You did work for me last year I want to come back and stain the stairs
Bob Tanzini Plaster and Cement
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2019
We own a beach house on North Top Sail Island, N.C. Hurricane Florence badly damaged the place. We hired Colley Construction to make repairs, it quickly became apparent that there were severe structural issues in the house framework and support beams in addition to all the hurricane damage. Mike...
Colley Construction, LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in August 2017
Seth's professionalism is impeccabble, he runs a very tight ship. We were just disappointed in two things: 1) There were stains on the house of which we were not aware- it wouldve been less of an unwelcome surprise had they been pointed out before (the estimate) or mentioned during the job. It...
EcoPro Power Washing, Inc.
Request a quote

Find Deck staining pros in Montrose

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Montrose, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 1999

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Excellent job, very professional, courteous, and timely. Rob handled everything on my project, the job site was always very clean and tidy throughout. He was punctualand reliable. Most important, he's an extremely nice guy. He's one of those type of people that you feel like you have known forever after having just met him. He is now my go to guy!"

Recommended by96%of homeowners

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Montrose, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"He was prompt and quick. He did a great job."

+15

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Request Quote

Welcome Home Moving Services

5.0(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Montrose, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"They were excellent, I would highly recommend. Everyone was very professional and showed up right when they said they would. They were gentle and everything arrived intact. They had us on the road in no time."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Request Quote

A Good Fix Handyman Service

5.0(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain

Serving Montrose, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 2018

Free estimates

"He was punctual, did a good job and it was a fair price."

Response time2 days

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Request Quote

PARLOR CITY DRYWALL & PAINTING, Inc.

3.8(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Montrose, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 1984

Free estimates

"Estimate given and contract signed. All concerns were handled by company rep promptly. Workers were respectful, nice to have working in our home. Overall project went well."

+14

Recommended by75%of homeowners

Request Quote

Robert Davies Home Improvement

4.3(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Montrose, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 1990

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Everything was done just like I wanted. Bob is very professional. He handled the small stuff really well and I would hire him for larger projects as well because he's a general contractor.
"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Request Quote

KMK Custom Construction

3.8(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Montrose, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"they went the extra mile... for my water heater replacement... treated us with respect...and did professional work... very quickly... you will not... go wrong...with this company... thank you... norman r..."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Request Quote

Hampton Enterprise LLC

3.7(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Montrose, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 1989

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They were good. They were pretty fast and came on time. My overall experience with them has been good."

Recommended by60%of homeowners

Request Quote

M&H

New to Angi

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Montrose, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

painting inteior/exteior drivways blocks concrete floors expoxy/resin colored floors sanding spackeling drywall \n\n\n

Request Quote

Painting by Brian

New to Angi

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Montrose, PA and surrounding areas

Painting by Brian.\n\nOver 25 years servicing the Poconos, Scranton/Wilkesbarre and surrounding areas.Interior/ Exterior painting, deck staining. Free estimate and fully insured.\n570 914 8006\n\n\n

Request Quote

Showing 1-10 of 19

Deck Staining questions, answered by experts

Wet-sanding and dry-sanding each have pros and cons. Dry-sanding is less messy, so it’s a good option if you’re trying to minimize dust (for example, if you’re sanding an occupied home or working with particularly dry or dusty drywall mud). However, dry-sanding is quicker because you don’t have to keep rinsing a sponge or wait for it to dry before painting.

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.

A properly applied coat of stain will last between 3 and 8 years, depending on your climate. If you live in a place where your fence experiences a lot of moisture or high heat, your stain will last for a shorter period than in more temperate conditions. We recommend reapplying stain every 3 to 5 years to keep your wood in good condition.

Two coats of stain are ideal for the best protection and aesthetic appeal. However, if your decking is made of particularly dense hardwood, you may only need one coat. If you want an intense color, two coats are ideal.

Liquid rubber is great for waterproofing, but it can damage your deck if it’s not applied correctly. First, it can trap moisture in the wood if the deck isn’t completely dry before application. Second, applying it too thickly can create a heavy, rubbery surface layer that peels and cracks under fluctuating temperatures. For the best results, ensure the wood is completely dry before application, and apply the liquid rubber in thin, even coats. A quick inspection every now and then will help you catch any issues early, keeping your deck protected and looking its best.

The Montrose, PA 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.
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.
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.
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.
Audrey Bruno
•
Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
When Is the Best Time to Stain a Deck?
There isn’t just one best time to stain a deck but a couple, and which you choose will depend on factors like local climate and materials used.