Get matched with top deck staining pros in Portage, PA

Q: Can I paint over old paint on my porch?

• <div><p>Whether you can paint over your existing paint depends on what&rsquo;s on there. Most of the time, you&rsquo;ll want to sand down or scrape off the paint that&rsquo;s currently coating your surface. Epoxy paint, for example, won&rsquo;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&rsquo;re switching colors.</p></div>

Q: How many coats of stain is too much?

• <div><p>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&rsquo;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.</p></div>

Q: Can you stain over a peeling stain?

• <div><p>You can apply stain over peeling stain, but it&rsquo;s not a good idea. Your old stain will get in the way of your new stain bonding to the wood, so you&rsquo;re likely going to see the same issue again shortly after application. Your best option is to sand off the old stain and clean the surface thoroughly before applying new stain.</p></div>

Q: Do limewash and whitewash harm surfaces?

• <div><p>Limewash and whitewash do not harm surfaces if you apply them correctly. Use on non-suitable surfaces can cause issues. For instance, applying limewash or whitewash to surfaces with existing sealants or incompatible materials may lead to poor adhesion or flaking. Also, harsh cleaning agents on limewashed or whitewashed surfaces can damage the finish. Proper preparation, application, and maintenance ensure that limewash and whitewash do not harm surfaces. </p></div>

Q: What is the best paint to not show dirt on a deck?

• <div><p>If your biggest concern is making sure your deck doesn&rsquo;t show dirt, opt for a darker neutral color that blends in well with your surrounding landscape. A rich brown or dark grey are both good options that work with a variety of house colors. A high-quality acrylic paint is easy to clean and maintain, so it might be worth spending the money on.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Deck Staining pros in Portage, PA

*The Angi rating for Deck Staining companies in Portage, 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 Portage, 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 March 16, 2025

Reviewed in March 2025
R&B On-site Solutions LLC provided prompt and efficient service. They gave a reasonable quote and were able to do the work on the same day. I had an old deck that was torn down and needed hauled away. Along with a large amount of cardboard and some general trash that they also took away for me....
R&B On-Site Solutions LLC
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Reviewed in June 2024
Hunter Berkey is a very reliable, personable and professional young man. He came when he said he would, communicated with me throughout the project, and worked very hard. He was literally at our house from 7 am to 8 pm several days of the project (one night I had to turn on outside lights so he...
Berkey Masonry and Mulching LLC
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Reviewed in November 2023
Joe's team did an excellent job renovating our house in 2022: painting everywhere including garage, installing a new floorings in all rooms and bathrooms, replacing the roof shingles and the deck, cleaning up under porch, replacing some of the lights, insulating the attic, removing sky...
Joseph DiVittorio Construction
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Reviewed in August 2020
Kirsch Construction did excellent work. Replaced wood deck with Trex composite material and white vinyl rail. From demo to completion, the work was done in 9 days that included some delays due to rain. New deck looks great. We plan to have Kirsch Construction work on other home improvement...
Kirsch Construction Co
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Reviewed in June 2020
Our exterior project involved a fresh paint job on numerous shutters and two doors, scraping and repainting iron railing on the front porch, power washing the fence surrounding the back yard, and staining that fence as well as the wood associated with the Trex deck we had installed last year....
Solution Painting, Inc.
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Reviewed in February 2018
The whole experience was wonderful. Bill Hanik stopped to give me an estimate, explain the process, and provided the perfect stain match for my end panel. Denny, the installer, was accurate, conscientious, and neat. Both were very professional and followed up with me on my satisfaction. My...
Mihalko's General Contracting Inc
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Reviewed in September 2017
Doors would not shut without force, could not turn doorknob except with fingers as there was no room between door and knob. Eventually fixed after 2 months of contact. Railings on deck are warped and loose as they were not secured properly. Top of railing on stairs was put on with a large knot...
Clinton Stanton Construction
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Reviewed in July 2014
Tom was very professional and kept in touch through the whole job. I originally wanted to go with a dark stain. After sanding the floors, Tom called to make sure I still wanted to go with a dark stain since the natural wood looked very good. After meeting him to look at this, I agreed that I...
TOM TANAKA DGT FLOORS INC.
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Find Deck staining pros in Portage

Hello Handyman, LLC

4.6(

)

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

Serving Portage, PA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Jim did wonderful work on refinishing floors that had been carpeted. They are exactly how I remembered them. He explained everything along the way and contacted me when something came up that was unexpected (as one might have when carpet covers everything. He is timely and a wonderful personality to work with. I'm sure I will contact him again for other work."

Painting and Insulated Glass Replacement

+51

Response time8 hrs

Response rate87%

Recommended by95%of homeowners

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Quality Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

4.2(

312

)

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

Serving Portage, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"The cleaning was not very thorough"

Recommended by86%of homeowners

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

Serving Portage, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Completed repairs and fixed other items while he was here Fast response"

Response time11 hrs

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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

Serving Portage, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

"I hired Hallway painting after I began to stain my deck and realized it wasn’t a job I was up for. I called Hallway painting and in no time my deck looked amazing! Very professional and the work is stunning. I will absolutely use them in the future."

+21

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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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 Portage, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Timely and professional. They made the move so easy. 10/10 would absolutely recommend and use again!"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Painting, Power wash, Renovation

5.0(

)

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

Serving Portage, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

We are a locally owned, family run professional painting company with several years of experience. Let us beautify your home, inside and out. With our professionals by your side, the process will be easy and convenient — leaving you time for what matters most. Interior or exterior painting is our business. We look forward to taking care of all of your painting needs.

+217

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Simanski Painting & Finishing

4.8(

)

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

Serving Portage, PA and surrounding areas

Free estimates

"The pricing was reasonable. He was able to start right away completed a littler ahead of schedule. He worked in some additional items that weren't in the initial quote but needed done."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Samurai Property 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 Portage, PA and surrounding areas

Emergency services offered

"Adam and Kevin were professional and are both skilled in their craft. From the first consolation I felt like they understood my goals for the fence project. Ultimately I decided to go with Samuri because of their skill, kindness, and craftsmanship; which all show through their work! I’d recommend them for any project— thank you again"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Do It Awl Woodworking

4.4(

)

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

Serving Portage, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 1985

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Mike knows his stuff Id recommend him any day"

Response time2 days

Response rate89%

Recommended by75%of homeowners

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A+ Painting, Staining and Power Washing, LLC

3.0(

)

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

Serving Portage, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 2013

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"We were very pleased with A+ Painting. They were easy to work with and very accommodating with any additional work we requested. The guys were very friendly and respectful. We recommend them. Good job! Thank you A+."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Request Quote

Showing 1-10 of 28

Deck Staining questions, answered by experts

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.

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.

You can apply stain over peeling stain, but it’s not a good idea. Your old stain will get in the way of your new stain bonding to the wood, so you’re likely going to see the same issue again shortly after application. Your best option is to sand off the old stain and clean the surface thoroughly before applying new stain.

Limewash and whitewash do not harm surfaces if you apply them correctly. Use on non-suitable surfaces can cause issues. For instance, applying limewash or whitewash to surfaces with existing sealants or incompatible materials may lead to poor adhesion or flaking. Also, harsh cleaning agents on limewashed or whitewashed surfaces can damage the finish. Proper preparation, application, and maintenance ensure that limewash and whitewash do not harm surfaces.

If your biggest concern is making sure your deck doesn’t show dirt, opt for a darker neutral color that blends in well with your surrounding landscape. A rich brown or dark grey are both good options that work with a variety of house colors. A high-quality acrylic paint is easy to clean and maintain, so it might be worth spending the money on.

The Portage, 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.
Scott Dylan Westerlund
•
Aug 3, 2026Aug 3, 2026
How Much Does Deck Replacement or Repair Cost? [2026 Data]
Deck replacement costs depend on materials, any structural damage you need to fix, and more. This guide explores how much it costs to replace or repair a deck.
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.
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.
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.