Get matched with top painters in War, WV

Q: Should you stain or seal a cedar deck or fence?

• <div><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p></div>

Q: Should you sand your fence before staining?

• <div><p>On most untreated wood fences, there is no need to sand before treating. You typically only need to sand if there&rsquo;s an old coat of paint or stain on your fence. If you do need to sand off a previous paint or protective coating (like an old stain or sealant), use medium-grit sandpaper.</p></div>

Q: What time of year is best to stain a fence?

• <div><p>The best time to stain a fence is when the weather is dry and temperatures are between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Late spring, early summer, and fall are typically the best seasons for this project. You should avoid staining during very hot weather, like in the middle of summer, or when it is raining. Heat and moisture can cause the stain to dry unevenly. Likewise, if it's too cold, such as in winter or early spring, the stain may not be able to dry fully. Before you start, check the forecast to ensure there will be no rain and low humidity for at least a few days.</p></div>

Q: Can exterior painting or staining be done without professional help?

• <div><p>DIY is possible but presents risks of uneven surfaces or improper adhesion; professionals offer expertise to ensure a lasting finish.</p></div>

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>

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Verified Reviews for Painting pros in War, WV

*The Angi rating for Painting companies in War, WV is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Painting needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Painting companies in War, WV is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Painting needs.

Last update on August 04, 2026

Reviewed in August 2026
I had m&amp;b appliance come to fix my washer and Jeff took his phone and got the sensor that was messed up told me he needed the money to get part and he would be back Friday to fix it. I gave him the money got a receipt and Jeff has never returned. Have called and msgd numerous times with...
M & B Appliance Repair, LLC
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Reviewed in April 2026
Zeb and his assistants did an excellent job repairing 2 ceilings- one was a drywall ceiling in our entryway, and one was a textured, plaster ceiling, which was a big job, and complicated, and had to be done "just right", with the proper texturing. These ceilings are in an historic, 1922...
H & M HANDYMAN SERVICE LLC
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Reviewed in January 2026
Ms Tina was very patient in doing her job . Ms Tina has an excellent personality. Explaining what she was doing and where the work would be done
RIDD Pest Control - Virginia Beach
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Reviewed in September 2025
Work was done right, biggest job was Electric. Odds and ends, very professional and very helpful. I went driving by in town and found Mr Williams had stopped to help and older woman with her car that had broken down in the rain. I stopped to see if I could help with a phone call to towing, he...
Icarus Rail LLC
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Reviewed in June 2025
Unfortunately, they did not live up to their high rating. I asked them to mow 4.5 to 5 inches tall since it was going to be super hot over the next few weeks. They cut it much shorter than I requested, leaving piles of grass all over the yard behind them. They said they could come back and cut...
D&D Lawn Pros, LLC
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Reviewed in July 2024
Gage and his crew did a fantastic job removing 2 very large poplar trees. They showed up each day at the same hour, got to work and finished on day 3. His ground crew cleaned up very well and removed all of the wood blocks and debris. They left nothing behind but sawdust in the back yard. Gage...
Mountain State Tree Service LLC
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Reviewed in September 2023
Incredibly hard working and detailed organization. Communication and follow up on the status of the job (start date, time allowance, daily status, and completion) was first class! Every task was completed thoroughly and with precision. Will recommend them to anyone seeking the same type of...
M Reyes Tree Services, LLC
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Reviewed in July 2022
Tyler Lucas is a class act! He arrived exactly when he said he would. He was very through in explaining the radon mitigation system and installed the unit in a timely manner. He encountered and issue with our older home (concrete basement floor, two inches of gravel, and then another concrete...
Lucas Contracting, LLC
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Reviewed in October 2021
Well satisfied, exactly what I wanted.
Reed's Spray Foam Insulation, Inc. (TN)
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Reviewed in August 2021
Removed 60â pine tree that had hornets nest, was difficult location with many lines.
Ultra Cuts Tree Service
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Find Painters in War

Cornerstone Renovations WV LLC

4.9(

)

Interior Painting or Staining: 5 + Rooms

Serving War, WV and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Noah did a wonderful job painting the outside of my house. He was reliable and stayed in contact with me. I would hire him again for future home repairs!"

Response time2 days

Response rate98%

7 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Mountain Ridge Remodeling

4.4(

)

Interior Painting or Staining: 1 - 2 RoomsPainting or Staining - Small Projects

Serving War, WV and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Platinum remodeled our basement bathroom and completed stain and install of entire basement baseboard project. The finished product by far exceeded our expectations at a fair price for services provided. In fact we are scheduling Platinum for our next project to the house exterior."

+25

1 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by83%of homeowners

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeInterior Home or Surfaces - Paint or Stain+7 more

Serving War, WV and surrounding areas

In business since 2022

Free estimates

"Deck looks awesome! Professional painting crew, did everything as promised in project bid @ agreement price. would hire again!"

+40

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Bert's Painting - Facebook

4.8(

)

Interior Painting or Staining: 1 - 2 RoomsInterior Painting or Staining: 3 - 4 RoomsInterior Painting or Staining: 5 + Rooms+2 more

Serving War, WV and surrounding areas

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"I hired Bert's for interior painting of my home. Robert was on time, provided me with a quality paint finish, worked very neatly, a did good final cleanup as well. I am very satisfied and will use hire him for my next painting project."

Response time7 hrs

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Interior Painting or Staining: 1 - 2 RoomsInterior Painting or Staining: 3 - 4 RoomsInterior Painting or Staining: 5 + Rooms

Serving War, WV and surrounding areas

In business since 1998

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Mr Goins was a man of his word and he did the work well. Prices were reasonable. And cleaned up the yard really good. The lAwn and bushes were in pretty bad shape."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Ronald Goins Contracting

4.8(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeInterior Painting or Staining: 1 - 2 RoomsInterior Painting or Staining: 3 - 4 Rooms+3 more

Serving War, WV and surrounding areas

In business since 1998

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Mr Goins was a man of his word and he did the work well. Prices were reasonable. And cleaned up the yard really good. The lAwn and bushes were in pretty bad shape."

Response time1 day

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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P & A Home Improvements LLC

4.6(

)

Interior Home or Surfaces - Paint or StainInterior Painting or Staining: 1 - 2 RoomsInterior Painting or Staining: 3 - 4 Rooms+5 more

Serving War, WV and surrounding areas

In business since 2013

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Great. They did awesome job. I would use them again."

+28

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Painting or Staining - Small Projects

Serving War, WV and surrounding areas

In business since 2013

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Amazing service. Jason was here the next morning and worked on the shower drain that was filled with grout from a tile contractor. Hired a local plumber to clear the drain and all they did was pierce the p trap in 2 places. Jason took over jetted the grout out, then sent the camera and noticed the 2 holes. Didn't leave me hanging over the holidays with family arriving in 2 days. Came back the next morning and dug his way under the home to replace the p trap. Saved me from cutting up all my new interior shower flooring. Highly recommended. Thank you Chloe and Jason."

Response time8 hrs

Response rate86%

Recommended by92%of homeowners

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeInterior Home or Surfaces - Paint or Stain+7 more

Serving War, WV and surrounding areas

In business since 1992

Free estimates

"Chuck was too busy in this season, but he was helpful over the phone.
"

+11

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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McCall's Cleaning & Painting

5.0(

)

Interior Painting or Staining: 1 - 2 RoomsPainting or Staining - Small Projects

Serving War, WV and surrounding areas

In business since 1970

Free estimates

"They were responsive, easy to work with and prompt. They did a great job."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Request Quote

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Showing 1-10 of 60

Painting questions, answered by experts

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.

On most untreated wood fences, there is no need to sand before treating. You typically only need to sand if there’s an old coat of paint or stain on your fence. If you do need to sand off a previous paint or protective coating (like an old stain or sealant), use medium-grit sandpaper.

The best time to stain a fence is when the weather is dry and temperatures are between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Late spring, early summer, and fall are typically the best seasons for this project. You should avoid staining during very hot weather, like in the middle of summer, or when it is raining. Heat and moisture can cause the stain to dry unevenly. Likewise, if it's too cold, such as in winter or early spring, the stain may not be able to dry fully. Before you start, check the forecast to ensure there will be no rain and low humidity for at least a few days.

DIY is possible but presents risks of uneven surfaces or improper adhesion; professionals offer expertise to ensure a lasting finish.

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.

The War, WV homeowners’ guide to painting services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

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