Get matched with top deck staining pros in Rice Lake, WI

Q: Do decks need to be primed before painting?

• <div><p>Unless you&rsquo;re using a 2-in-1 formula or painting over an existing coat of paint, it pays to <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/quick-primer-interior-painting.htm">apply a coat of primer</a> ahead of your new paint. Decks see a lot of footfall and exposure to extreme and sudden temperature changes and moisture levels. The primer promotes better paint adhesion, moisture repellency, and a smoother finish, which means you&rsquo;ll often need fewer coats of paint. </p></div>

Q: Do you need a top coat on a painted deck?

• <div><p>The need for a topcoat on a painted deck depends on various factors, primarily the type of paint used and your desired level of protection. Many premium deck paint formulations are self-sealing, eliminating the necessity for an additional topcoat. These paints often have built-in additives that substantially protect against moisture, UV rays, and everyday wear and tear.</p></div>

Q: What happens if you put too much stain on a deck?

• <div><p>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. </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>

Q: How do I keep my cedar from graying?

• <div><p>If you don&rsquo;t treat a cedar fence, it will turn from reddish brown to gray over time. You can keep the cedar from graying and retain its attractive, deep red color by sealing your cedar fence with a stain that keeps the wood&rsquo;s oils in and serves as a barrier against the sun&rsquo;s UV rays.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Deck Staining pros in Rice Lake, WI

*The Angi rating for Deck Staining companies in Rice Lake, 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 Rice Lake, 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 September 22, 2025

Reviewed in September 2025
Our deck looks great. We are really pleased with the work they did on a timely basis. They were so willing to work around our schedule and weather limitations. He kept informed of his progress, which was so helpful.
ZMG Services LLC
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Reviewed in June 2024
Highly recommend Grubbys Tree Service from the Spooner area. They were timely, did an excellent job trimming dead branches and cleaning up when the job was complete. We had multiple quotes on the job and Bryson was the most reasonable.
Grubby's Tree Service, LLC
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Reviewed in April 2024
They aim to please, and gave 110%. They did an enormous decking job for me, it is perfect! They arrived everyday and completed it in record time.
Balcony Brothers
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Reviewed in October 2023
They were very helpful and knowledgeable about what paint types for the rooms. They will be coming back fir another job this spring as I know all my accent wall colors now. I can't wait. They're very understanding about my cats and puppy. They were very neat and expeditious! I love this...
S&A Interior Paint and Design, LLC
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Reviewed in June 2023
He was prompt, and did a GREAT job. We were more than pleased. He did what he said and it looks beautiful.
Noreen Painting
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Reviewed in May 2023
Looks like a totally different house. Being a single dad with my own business, it's hard to keep things clean. She did such a great job I wasn't even sure it was mine!
Shimmering Surfaces By Gabby
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Reviewed in December 2022
After surgery, I needed snow removal done quickly. Job was completed within a few hours. Would definitely hire again.
Roots Rockscapes, LLC
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Reviewed in September 2021
Mark is a true artist with unbelievable talent and attention to detail. I would recommend him for any type of painting.
Classic 360 Art, LLC
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Reviewed in April 2021
Removed a tree in our backyard, very diligent and got the job done. Good work!
Brilliantly Bright
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Reviewed in October 2020
Paffys Pest control sprayed our home in less than an hour. Very professional staff with great results. We did not see a beetle inside our home after the treatment. They also took the time to kill and remove several wasp nests as they were spraying. The chemical they used did not stain the house...
PAFFY'S PEST CONTROL
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Find Deck staining pros in Rice Lake

T&A Contracting

5.0(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: MediumExterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Large

Serving Rice Lake, WI and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Tommy and his crew did a great job re-staining our cabin and deck. Tommy communicated throughout the planning and painting process, which was very appreciated. He sent before and after photos to me because I could not be on site to see how it was going. Great experience working with him throughout the process. Highly recommended!"

Hardwood Flooring Sales/Installation/Refinishing Project

+56

Response time2 days

Response rate100%

2 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Hover Logging and Tree Services

4.3(

)

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

Serving Rice Lake, WI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Chris and his staff did an excellent job in taking down a couple of trees and cleaning up afterwards. He also did a side project for us and we were quite pleased. Chris is very professional and easy work to work with. Highly recommend Hover Logging."

Response time2 days

2 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by78%of homeowners

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

Serving Rice Lake, WI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Jerry's Painting team was outstanding and professional. Communication was great, choosing colors was easy. I changed my mind last minute on the stain for our porch. The company worked seamisly to make sure our home was exactly as we envisioned. Careful attention to detail was given. We would recommend this company 5 out of 5 stars."

+21

Response time4 days

4 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by75%of homeowners

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Preferred Building & Remodeling

4.8(

)

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

Serving Rice Lake, WI and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

"The work was excellent and as I wanted to look and then some. Very polite men to work with."

+79

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 Rice Lake, WI and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Very smooth! Tanya was the best!"

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 Rice Lake, WI and surrounding areas

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"It was great i was told by nick he would be at my place at 12 pm and he actually was 15 min earlies he set up my whole garage to work on cars exactly how i wanted and imagined he even built my work bench so it collapses into the wall like i wanted and put outlets in it as well he was reasonably priced and didnt rape me with labor i am having him come back this spring to redo my deck as well he was professionable and knowledgeable"

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 Rice Lake, WI and surrounding areas

In business since 1975

Emergency services offered

"They did an exceptional job and I would highly recommend this to any one looking to get asphalt or base jobs completed very professional clean and easy to do business with thanks again for the job mr.Wharton"

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 Rice Lake, WI and surrounding areas

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"The project was completed on time with quality workmanship."

Response time2 hrs

Response rate89%

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Riverside Homes & Construction

4.2(

)

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

Serving Rice Lake, WI and surrounding areas

In business since 1970

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I needed my deck stained and boards replaced and Riverside did a fantastic job! I'm so happy with the outcome and they were able to finish just in time before summer so we could enjoy our outdoor space."

+38

Recommended by76%of homeowners

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ODonnells Custom Finishes, LLC

5.0(

)

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

Serving Rice Lake, WI and surrounding areas

In business since 2004

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"He's very good! I would hire him again!"

Response time4 days

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Request Quote

Showing 1-10 of 39

Deck Staining questions, answered by experts

Unless you’re using a 2-in-1 formula or painting over an existing coat of paint, it pays to apply a coat of primer ahead of your new paint. Decks see a lot of footfall and exposure to extreme and sudden temperature changes and moisture levels. The primer promotes better paint adhesion, moisture repellency, and a smoother finish, which means you’ll often need fewer coats of paint.

The need for a topcoat on a painted deck depends on various factors, primarily the type of paint used and your desired level of protection. Many premium deck paint formulations are self-sealing, eliminating the necessity for an additional topcoat. These paints often have built-in additives that substantially protect against moisture, UV rays, and everyday wear and tear.

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.

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.

If you don’t treat a cedar fence, it will turn from reddish brown to gray over time. You can keep the cedar from graying and retain its attractive, deep red color by sealing your cedar fence with a stain that keeps the wood’s oils in and serves as a barrier against the sun’s UV rays.

The Rice Lake, 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]
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.