Top 10 deck staining and sealing services in Taylorville, IL
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 Taylorville deck staining & sealing services
Mark did something that most contractors fail to do. He showed up when he said he would and completed the job when he said he would. He promised not to start our project and then leave to start another. He refinished our hardwood floors and did a beautif...
Mark refinished our hardwood floor and did a great job. He stayed with it and was hard work. The floor turned out awesome. We would highly recommend Kreative Mind Handyman Service.
Met with handyman within hours of posting on Porch.com. He walked through everything with me and gave me ideas on different ways to get the trim work done throughout my house. Was at my house within two days of the initial visit to begin work. Very hardw...
I hired Mark to do a kitchen remodel, fix a shower in the bathroom and flooring and paint spare bedroom. He assured me that he would have it done in six weeks time. 12 weeks in and not one single room was completed. I unfortunately I was naive enough to t...
We hired him to do several projects and he was either way too slow or took all kinds of shortcuts, depending on the mood he was in. Also, always asking for money and would say he would show up and then not show up. We would not hire him again
Mark painted a spare bedroom and bathroom plus some minor caulking repairs to the shower. He came the morning after we signed up on Porch.com for an estimate and did our project the next day. He is very neat with his work and cleanup.
Horrible - One of the worst experiences we had. Wouldn't show up, showed up late, wanted money to go buy things that he should have had. Would leave the job and not come back for hours. DO NOT HIRE!
Mark is working on a complete remodel of a loft apartment for me. He's come up with excellent ideas for the space. So far I love what he's done. I can't wait to see the end results! I would recommend him to anyone with a project they want done the right ...
Hired Mark for a bathroom and sky light removal project. He ended up doing some deck work as well. He does great work and would hire again.
It has been several times since I started a review and it disappeared. So much for that. I hired Mark after I asked my friend if they (his brother in law) would help said that they are so busy with the other business their not able to do anything else. En...
I hired Mark in May for a variety of handyman work. This included the installing a ceiling fan, closet door & light fixture as well as cutting a door to fit due to new flooring. There weren’t any problems with this work. Painting was a different story. He...
We hired Mark back in spring of 2017 to complete a bathroom project, put a new light in the kitchen, build a cabinet and redo the cabinets in our kitchen. We sat down and went over the contract, which stated so much money down with the rest due at time of...