A deck can be a great place to entertain guests and relax after a long day. However, your deck can easily fall into disrepair and eventually rot away if not properly maintained. Cleaning, restaining and sealing are all ways to extend the life of your back deck.
Decks come in many different sizes, shapes, and materials. Because of this, the cost to stain a deck varies quite a bit. Pricing also depends on how much work is needed, such as power washing, stripping, and/or sanding 1. The average cost to stain a deck ranges from $550-$850, with the average homeowner spending around $750 on a 14’x18’ deck including cleaning, minor repairs, staining, and sealing.
Stain a Deck Costs | |
---|---|
National Average Cost | $750 |
Average Range | $550-$850 |
Minimum Cost | $300 |
Maximum Cost | $1,000 |
Due to the varying sizing of decks, the pricing can range from $300 and up. The prices below are based on size of the deck and include cleaning, restaining, and sealing:
Size in feet | Cost |
---|---|
10x10 | $300 |
12x12 | $450 |
12x14 | $500 |
14x14 | $588 |
12x18 | $650 |
14x18 | $750 |
16x16 | $775 |
12x24 | $875 |
14x24 | $1,000 |
16x24 | $1,150 |
20x20 | $1,200 |
24x24 | $1,750 |
There are many different kinds of stains to choose from. Stains provide protection from UV rays according to the amount of coverage of the stain you use. Below, you will find some of the options.
Deck Stain | Cost per gallon |
---|---|
Water-based | $20-$40 |
Clear | $20-$50 |
Deck resurfacer | $25-$50 |
Oil-based | $25-$50 |
Transparent | $25-$60 |
Solid Stains | $25-$65 |
Semi-transparent | $25-$90 |
Hybrid blends | $40-$60 |
Water-based stain is harder to apply as it dries very quickly and doesn’t allow for mistakes. It does create a protective film, but will, in time, crack or peel more easily than oil-based. Water-based stains are much easier to clean up and are more eco-friendly. A water-based stain is $20-$40 per gallon.
Clear stain is used to enhance the natural color and allows the wood grain to show through. If you opt to use a clear stain, you will want to choose an oil-based product to provide better protection. You should expect to pay $20-$50 per gallon for a clear stain.
There are also a plethora of deck resurfacer products that provide a strong, slip-resistant finish to wood decks. Deck resurfacers are affordable but are not practical for a severely weathered deck.
The cost for oil-based stain is $25-$50 per gallon. Oil-based stain is easy to apply, soaks into the wood easily, and doesn’t crack or peel. However, it takes longer to dry and is a messier clean up as soap and water won’t work.
Transparent stains will also show the color and wood grain, while adding a slight difference in the shade of the wood. Cost per gallon is $25-$60.
Solid stains will change the hue and color of your current deck, and will conceal the wood grain beneath the surface. Solid stains are often used to cover blemishes in the deck and are the most UV-resistant of all the stains. These types of stain are $25-$65 per gallon.
Semi-transparent stains create a darker tone of the color and range from $25-$90 per gallon. These types of stains are less likely to peel.
Hybrid blends have the best of both worlds and are low in VOCs, a component that is bad for the environment and your lungs as well. Cost for a hybrid blend is $40-$60 per gallon.
Refinishing a deck will refresh and strengthen your deck and make it look new again. Although you may be considering just staining, you will need to include some other tasks to prepare your deck for staining. Regardless of what you do, the following will extend the life of your decking.
Power washing will rid your deck of dirt, debris, mildew, and mold. Once the deck is completely clean, the stain can be applied and your deck will be ready to go! The cost of power washing and staining a deck will range from $300-$1,750.
Striping a deck is a process where stain or sealant needs to be removed before the new stain is applied. If stain is left on the wood, the new stain will not penetrate the wood and will just sit on top of it. A stripping solution will dissolve the old stain or sealant and it can then be washed away. Applying the stripping solution to the deck can be labor intensive. You can expect to pay $500-$2,000 to strip and stain a deck. If your deck has previously been covered with paint or solid stain, a stripping solution will not remove those sufficiently and the deck would also need to be sanded.
Make sure you ask your contractor if this is included in the pricing. Depending upon how intricate your railings 2 are, cost to stain the handrails 2 can add $4.50-$8.50 per linear foot 4.
Sanding 1 a deck is another time consuming task that can become expensive. If a deck is warped, it will require more sanding 1. In addition, if your deck was originally painted or a solid stain was used on it, sanding 1 will be required. Oftentimes after a deck is power washed, splinters may appear and you will want to sand 1 these for safety reasons. Additional costs for sanding 1 and staining range from $700-$2,300.
You may find that the contractor includes this in the pricing. However, if it is a separate charge, you can expect to pay $4.50-$8.50 per linear foot.
Staining a deck is a complicated process and it is best to hire a professional. But, how long does it take to stain a deck? The entire process will most likely be about 2-3 days, depending on the products being used. The first day will be to strip, sand 1, and/or pressure wash the deck, while the second day will be for the actual staining. A third day may be needed to apply the sealer/waterproofing product. Most contractors charge by the square foot 3 and the average rate is $1.50-$3.00 per sq.ft.
Sealing and waterproofing are a vital part of keeping your deck looking good and extending its lifespan. Sealers are used for waterproofing, but in a wetter climate, a heavy-duty waterproofing product may be required. You could opt to leave off the sealing product altogether. In this case, the material of your deck needs to be pressure treated as well as made from a non-rotting wood such as cedar or redwood 4. There are a myriad of products you can use to seal and waterproof your newly stained deck.
A gallon of deck stain will cover approximately 150-300 sq.ft. This means that the cost for just the stain for a 300 sq.ft. deck will range from $50-$150, while a larger deck such as 400 sq.ft. would add up to $75-$200. If your deck is much bigger, for example, 600 sq.ft., you would pay as much as $100-$300 for the stain alone.
There are some things that you can do yourself in preparation for staining your deck. It is important to discuss what exactly is covered with your contractor before he/she gets started. Some contractors will charge more if there are extra jobs they have to do prior to staining. Some prep work that should be done ahead of time is:
The cost to stain a deck varies based on several different factors. Some variations are:
Stains are available in various shades, including cedar, redwood 4, browns, tans, creams, grays, and whites. Solid stains include green, red, gray, and blue. Bleaching oil can be used to weather the wood rather than using a stain or a color. You can choose a shiny or matte finish depending on your preference. Darker colors tend to be more hardy, but the more pigment that a stain contains, the less you will see the natural grains of the wood. You will want to weigh aesthetics alongside durability.
If you are concerned about using products that are safe and environmentally-friendly, seek out products that are friendly to the environment and will not cause harm to humans or pets. Some facts to remember:
While you may be considering deck staining, it may be prudent to consider the cost of actually replacing your deck instead. This table will allow you to see the cost differences and the pros/cons of each choice:
Solution/Cost | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Deck cleaning, sanding 1 or stripping, and staining $750 | Easier & quicker process Less expensive Will look new without the costs | Needs to be done in 60-80 degree weather No warranty on existing deck Will eventually need to replace |
$6,720 | Brand new deck More easily customized Choose new style, color, material New warranty Increase home value | Much more expensive Longer process May increase property tax and homeowners insurance costs |
There are many tasks you can perform to keep your deck clean and in tip-top shape. Sweep or blow off your deck regularly to remove leaves, water, snow, and debris. Doing an annual cleaning with a deck cleaning solution, utility brush, and a spraying garden hose will keep dirt and debris under control. This will also keep away mold and mildew growth. When cleaning, do not use regular bleach to clean, but an approved deck cleaning solution. Make sure you cover shrubs and plants to protect them while cleaning the deck.
Keep trees, plants, shrubs and grass cut from around the deck to prevent moisture and rotting. Do not cover your deck with rugs made of natural materials such as jute. These retain moisture and can rot/mildew your deck.
Lastly, check your deck regularly for repair needs such as loose boards and nails, wobbly posts, rotting sections and moisture problems. Take care of these items immediately so they do not escalate into bigger problems.
Different types of materials require more maintenance. Here is a helpful list of the maintenance or cleaning necessary for each type of deck material:
Type of deck material | Maintenance / Cleaning | Cost to maintain or clean annually |
---|---|---|
Fiber cement 5 | Strong product Requires little to no maintenance | Light washing with a spraying garden hose $25 - $30 |
Modified wood | Better choice than wood Requires little maintenance Safe and environmentally-friendly | Light washing with a spraying garden hose $25 - $30 |
Aluminum | Maintenance-free Lifetime decking | Light washing with a spraying garden hose $25 - $30 |
Composite | Durable Insect- and rot-resistant Clean annually | Pressure washing $80 - $300 |
Vinyl 6 | Not prone to peeling, chipping, or fading Reacts to long-term cold by cracking, and heat by melting | Pressure washing $80 - $300 |
Pressure-treated wood | Clean annually Grows mold and mildew Stain and seal every 2-3 years | Pressure washing $80 - $300 Stain and seal $750 |
If your deck is looking dull, you can apply a deck brightener. Deck brightener will highlight the original wood beauty of your deck and make it look new again. It contains no bleach and is non-corrosive so it won’t damage your deck. Its cleaning agents will not only remove dirt and mildew, but also prepare the wood for staining. Cost for deck brightener is $16 per gallon.
Wood decks will need to be re-stained and sealed every 2-3 years, while a more durable deck such as fiber cement 5 or aluminum may never require restaining.
The average cost to stain a 14’x18’ new deck is $750.
Deck staining is not always required. If your deck is aluminum or fiber cement, it will not require staining. In addition, wood decks built from cedar or redwood 4 may be hardy enough to thrive without staining. However, these wood decks will still need a sealant/waterproofing.
You can use a roller, but will need a brush to get to hard to reach areas.
Yes, rain will create a splotchy surface if it rains too soon after staining is done. Check the weather before starting your staining project.
Solid stains last the longest.
This is a personal preference. If the bottom isn’t visible, it isn’t necessary.
This could be for several different reasons: improper prep work, poor quality or the wrong type of stain or sealer was used, or too much stain was used.
Both have advantages and disadvantages, but, in general, oil-based deck stains last longer and are more durable.
You can check to see if you need to strip the deck by doing the following: cut a small ‘X’ in several areas with a putty knife, place a piece of duct tape over these areas. If there are flakes of the stain on the tape, you need to strip the deck.
A gallon of deck stain covers 150-300 sq.ft., depending on how porous your wood is. You will want to make sure to buy a little extra for margin.
Cost to stain a deck varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.