Top 10 deck staining and sealing services in Lake Forest Park, WA
Costs to stain a deck
Frequently asked questions about deck staining, painting & refinishing companies
Deck stain and sealer serve basically the same function: to preserve wood and protect from moisture and the elements. A deck is exposed to wind, rain, and UV rains all year long. Moisture can lead to fungal and mold growth, and it could rot the wood. Protecting the deck from moisture intrusion can lengthen the life of a deck, and it can prevent individual boards from rotting which could create a safety hazard. A deck sealer is a transparent or clear finish that either forms a clear film on top of the wood or penetrates it. A deck sealer does a great job at protecting wood from moisture, but does not protect it from UV rays.
Prolonged exposure to UV rays dries up the wood’s natural oils causing cracking and splitting. Deck stains have the same moisture resistant qualities as deck sealing. However, deck stain has added pigment. This color is partially transparent which gives deck stain an added UV protection benefit.
Staining and sealing a deck achieve the same basic aim which is to protect the wood from moisture. Deck sealers are usually a clear finish that coats the outside surface of your deck’s wood. Sealer protects the wood from moisture, which is crucial. Unwanted moisture can cause rot, and encourage the growth of mold, fungus and mildew. Deck sealer does not protect the wood from UV rays. ‘’Even protected with deck sealer, your deck’s color may only last three-to-six months before graying and fading. Sealant should be applied once a year, and is relatively simple to apply.
Deck stains penetrate the surface of the wood. Stains contain pigment that changes the color of the wood providing UV protection. There are a wide range of stains. Getting the right level of opacity depends on the wood surface and your personal taste. Applying stain is tricky. It may make sense to hire a deck contractor to apply it for you. While stain is more expensive than sealer, and typically involves hiring a pro, it lasts up to five times longer. A sealed deck will look more professional. Ultimately, the choice as to whether to stain or seal your deck is up to you.
It’s great to be able to enjoy the outdoors on your deck. A deck provides extra room for entertaining, and a way to enjoy fresh air in the comfort of your home. It’s important to protect a wood deck from the elements. Unwanted moisture encourages rot which can weaken the structure of the deck and shorten its useful lifespan. Moisture also encourages harmful fungal and mold growth. Both staining and sealing your deck protects it from moisture. However, staining a deck offers the additional advantage of protecting the wood from UV rays.
Deck stain offers UV protection due to the pigment it contains. The darker the stain, the better the deck stain protects your deck. There is a wide array of stains. Getting the right opacity depends on the surface you are staining and your taste. Staining a deck is more expensive than sealing it. The stain itself is more expensive, and it makes sense to invest in hiring a deck contractor to apply the stain as application can be a bit tricky. However, staining a deck protects it from both moisture and UV rays. Deck stain lasts longer than deck sealant.
It’s important to protect your deck because wood on your deck is exposed to the elements all year long. Rain can seep into the wood and encourage the growth of mildew and fungus. Unwanted moisture leads to rot which weakens wood and shortens the life of your deck. Applying deck sealant protects the wood from moisture. But moisture isn’t the only threat to your deck. UV rays dry out the wood, causing splitting and cracking. In order to protect your deck from both moisture and woods, it makes sense to invest in a deck stain and sealant. The pigment in staining protects your deck from the sun’s harmful rays. Stain is more expensive than a sealant but lasts up to five times as long.
Many stains contain a protective sealant. You can test your deck’s surface to see if the stain with the protective sealant by sprinkling water on the wood periodically. If the water beads up, the sealant in the stain is still working. Some experts recommend resealing your stained deck yearly.
Recent reviews for Lake Forest Park deck staining & sealing services
We've contracted with Craig twice in the past to paint two different houses for us and I can say, without hesitation, that in both instances the workmanship was excellent. We would not hesitate to call on Craig for future paint needs.
Craig Spicer goes far beyond the covering of walls and doors with a beautifully executed spruce up with paint. Every imperfection is erased until the rooms are better than new. And last but not least is his happy disposition and determination to please. I...
Pete does impeccable work!! My partner and I had him paint our homes exterior last summer (2014). We have an older home that needed a lot of work and Pete didn't shy away. We loved his work so much we had him come this past fall (2015) and paint a few ins...
Pete has painted a number of homes for me. He is fantastic with his prep work and that makes for a great finished product. I recommend him...and his price!
Pete and his crew did a fantastic job painting our home. He was professional and thorough. I loved that he had a port-o-potty onsite and really seemed to take care of his crew. He was patient with us finalizing our paint color and communicated well with u...
Pete has done wonderful work for me on my projects. His quality level is high, and he follows the schedule that we agree on. He is honest and responsible.
Pete and his crew painted the interior of the kitchen and three rooms in our rental house in Shoreline. He was very helpful with choosing colors and paint, and the work was done on time, on budget and very professionally.
Pete worked on my painting projects. He provides the Professional craftsman work skills, excellent customer service. I would recommend Pete the Painter for any one who is looking for good quality painting job.
I recently hired “Hate To Paint? Inc.” to paint baseboards for my home with a tight deadline and high expectations for quality. I’m happy to share that Chris and Una at “Hate To Paint? Inc” exceeded my expectations with their quality work and my project w...
Was a pleasure doing business with great workmanship and excellent customer service
The team at Envision was always available to answer any questions I had and provided regular updates on the progress of the renovation. This level of communication helped to ease any concerns I had and gave me peace of mind knowing that my project was in ...
They came and did a great job, they were prompt,polite and finished earlier that expected. The only issue we had is there was a stain in the living room and this was part of the contract that was not primed so the stain still shows.