Get matched with top deck staining pros in Livingston, WI

Q: How many coats of stain should you put on cedar?

• <div><p>The general consensus is that two coats of stain are required and since the cedar is siding, a third coat of sealant is always a good idea. This helps protect the wood and stain, so you won&rsquo;t need to resand and restain for at least a decade. Each stain after the first will darken the wood, so be aware of that when choosing a colored stain. </p></div>

Q: What not to do when staining a deck?

• <div><p>When staining a deck, don&rsquo;t skip surface prep, avoid staining damp or dirty boards, and don&rsquo;t apply stain in extreme heat, cold, or wet conditions. Never overload the wood with a stain, as too much can cause tackiness or peeling. Also, don&rsquo;t forget to test a small area first to ensure the color and finish look right. </p></div>

Q: Can you paint or stain pressure-treated wood, and how long does it need to dry first?

• <div><p>Yes, you can and should paint or stain pressure-treated wood to help prevent the boards from cracking. However, you must wait for the wood to dry out completely before applying any finish. Freshly treated wood can take weeks or even months to dry; a common recommendation is to wait three to six months. To check if the wood is ready, perform a simple water test: drip some water onto the surface. If the water beads up, the wood is still too wet and needs more time to dry. If the wood absorbs the water, it is dry enough to be painted or stained. You can proceed with building your deck or fence while the wood is still wet, but you will need to wait to apply the paint or stain.</p></div>

Q: When is the best time to stain a deck?

• <div><p>You&rsquo;ll want to avoid excessively hot or humid conditions, so it&rsquo;s best to apply your stain in late spring to early fall. It's also important to watch the weather forecast and aim for days when there isn&rsquo;t rain expected for at least three days. For new decks, allow the wood to season beforehand for at least four to eight weeks. </p></div>

Q: Should I stain my deck with a brush or rag?

• <div><p>Staining a deck with a rag is typically a better option than using a brush, as it helps the stain penetrate deeper into the wood. However, both brushes and rags are best reserved for detailed work because using these tools on an entire deck can require tediously crawling around on your hands and knees. A pad applicator, sprayer, or roller are preferred alternatives to applying stain over the majority of a deck. Use a rag for railings and other detailed work, and let the wood soak up as much of the stain as possible before wiping away drips or pools.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Deck Staining pros in Livingston, WI

*The Angi rating for Deck Staining companies in Livingston, WI 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 Livingston, WI 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 17, 2026

Reviewed in June 2026
He was very thorough with the inspection and I would use him again!
Property Management Consultants, LLC
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Reviewed in March 2026
He did a great job painting our entry way. Our entry way has high walls in a bilevel house. He did a great job setting up so none of our carpet or floors got paint on them. I would definitely recommend Mike.
Mike Handyman Pro
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Reviewed in February 2026
The Garage Floor gentlemen did an amazing job. Explained the process and were great to work with. Cleaned up the floor and did the coating. It looks so fresh and clean.. I absolutely love my new floor!
The Garage Floor Company Madison
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Reviewed in December 2025
Had them clean up an area of debris and it went great!
T 'n T Hauling
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Reviewed in September 2025
They did an excellent job replacing our windows. They were very professional and detailed oriented.
Mad City Windows & Baths
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Reviewed in March 2025
Chris & Danielle came with their crew and cleaned the mold in the attic. They also cleaned all the windows and sealed them. Everything looks nice and clean, and they always kept us informed on everything they were doing. They gave us an estimate and even charged less than anticipated! Would...
L.A.D.S. Western Division
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Reviewed in November 2024
These guys are fantastic to work with! They are meticulous and get the job done right and they don't break the bank doing it. Made sure the work site was up to my liking before pulling out. I'd highly recommend them to anyone in need of some dirt work, landscaping, land restoration or...
Hansen Excavating
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Reviewed in March 2022
We had a furnace failure that produced soot that went throughout the house. Big mess! They were here promptly and did an excellent job! It took 4 days but the house is now spotless!.
Steamatic of Dubuque
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Reviewed in March 2022
Did a very nice job. Was very Conscience if the house being close to the tree. Glad that tree is gone
Jarret Bauman Construction, LLC
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Reviewed in January 2022
Stephen was absolutely incredible to work with. As a business owner and interior decorator I work with contractors everyday and so trust me when I say that he is so talented. We finished a store remodel together including flooring, wall planks, refaced bar and paint in three days. Although this...
Crown Junk Removal
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Find Deck staining pros in Livingston

The Mini Convenience Home Repair & 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 Livingston, WI and surrounding areas

"It went well, better than I expected."

+25

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 Livingston, WI 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

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Nicholas Palm Tile and Stone

4.8(

)

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

Serving Livingston, WI and surrounding areas

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Nic was professional, courteous, and ensured that I was happy and satisfied with his work. I would definitely hire him again to help with my future home projects."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Hip & Ridge Construction

4.5(

)

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

Serving Livingston, WI and surrounding areas

In business since 2011

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"When they were here they worked all day. However there were many days when they had to go to other jobs and that caused delays on our project. Project took much longer than we thought it would. Had a hard time communicating, many times only got voice mail.Seemed to us the contractor had too many jobs going on at the same time. We did not feel our project was a high priority. Overall we are happy with the results but were quite frustrated at times"

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 Livingston, WI and surrounding areas

In business since 2006

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"It went really well. He did the work and completed it on the evening he came. He was on time and we were pleased with getting it done.
"

Recommended by90%of homeowners

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Matthew Moss Painting

3.7(

)

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

Serving Livingston, WI and surrounding areas

In business since 1990

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"Well it took some time for them to get out there because we had lots of rain that week, but when they showed up, they were great, I cant believe they even took the time to do a little shed for me that was not even in the quote, and did not charge me for it, they said they felt bad because the rain kept delaying them but that was not there fault, wow what a professional company, you don't see guys like Mr. Moss anymore you could tell his work is very important to him....."

+24

Recommended by66%of homeowners

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Premier Sandblasting & Painting

3.1(

)

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

Serving Livingston, WI and surrounding areas

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Neat. On time excellent service"

Response time2 days

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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American Paint & Stain

New to Angi

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

Serving Livingston, WI and surrounding areas

In business since 2004

Let American Paint & Stain help you with all your Painting and Staining needs. I am looking to start to grow my business, and I will do whatever it takes to earn your trust. All our work is guaranteed and I am a man of my word. My goal is to be your Painting and Staining professional for life.

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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 Livingston, WI 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

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

Serving Livingston, WI and surrounding areas

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

Ernz Painting is dedicated to providing our customers with the best quality and craftsmanship. We are here to build relationships with our customers and communities. No job is too big or too small! We look forward to working with you!

Response time30 mins

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Showing 1-10 of 22

Deck Staining questions, answered by experts

The general consensus is that two coats of stain are required and since the cedar is siding, a third coat of sealant is always a good idea. This helps protect the wood and stain, so you won’t need to resand and restain for at least a decade. Each stain after the first will darken the wood, so be aware of that when choosing a colored stain.

When staining a deck, don’t skip surface prep, avoid staining damp or dirty boards, and don’t apply stain in extreme heat, cold, or wet conditions. Never overload the wood with a stain, as too much can cause tackiness or peeling. Also, don’t forget to test a small area first to ensure the color and finish look right.

Yes, you can and should paint or stain pressure-treated wood to help prevent the boards from cracking. However, you must wait for the wood to dry out completely before applying any finish. Freshly treated wood can take weeks or even months to dry; a common recommendation is to wait three to six months. To check if the wood is ready, perform a simple water test: drip some water onto the surface. If the water beads up, the wood is still too wet and needs more time to dry. If the wood absorbs the water, it is dry enough to be painted or stained. You can proceed with building your deck or fence while the wood is still wet, but you will need to wait to apply the paint or stain.

You’ll want to avoid excessively hot or humid conditions, so it’s best to apply your stain in late spring to early fall. It's also important to watch the weather forecast and aim for days when there isn’t rain expected for at least three days. For new decks, allow the wood to season beforehand for at least four to eight weeks.

Staining a deck with a rag is typically a better option than using a brush, as it helps the stain penetrate deeper into the wood. However, both brushes and rags are best reserved for detailed work because using these tools on an entire deck can require tediously crawling around on your hands and knees. A pad applicator, sprayer, or roller are preferred alternatives to applying stain over the majority of a deck. Use a rag for railings and other detailed work, and let the wood soak up as much of the stain as possible before wiping away drips or pools.

The Livingston, WI 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]
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•
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.
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•
Jul 8, 2026Jul 8, 2026
5 Deck Stain Problems and How to Fix Them
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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.
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•
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.