The stains we use, and how many coats each gets
| Product | Type |
|---|---|
| Oils · one coat, brushed in | |
| TWP | Penetrating oil, brushed in |
| Armstrong Clark | Penetrating oil, brushed in |
| Penofin | Penetrating oil, brushed in |
| Stains · two coats, sprayed | |
| Behr Premium | Solid color stain |
| Sherwin-Williams | Semi-transparent or clear stain |
The number of coats is set by the product, not by how the deck looks. An oil is brushed in once, as much as the wood takes. Behr Premium and Sherwin-Williams go on twice, and we spray them.
We reach for Behr's solid color when old wood needs covering, or when new boards and old ones have to end up the same color.
Deck owners on forums say Penofin darkens on redwood over the years. We have not seen that in our work.
Sanding and staining a 20 by 20 foot deck, 400 sq ft, in labor. Stain is on top: 3 to 5 gallons at $75. If the old finish is sound and needs no sanding, staining alone is $3.50 per sq ft, about $1,400 for the same deck. The full table is in our refinishing cost guide.
Price my deckDeck stain colors our clients pick
In order of how often we hear them at the estimate. The color is agreed with you before work starts.
Decks we stained
Why deck stain fails
- Paint on a deck traps waterWater gets into the wood through end grain and joints, and paint keeps it from drying out, so the board swells and rots. Stain lets the wood dry. Solid color stain also forms a film, so we only use one made for decks, like Behr Premium Solid, and prep the surface before it goes on.
- Peeling starts with the surface underneathEvery job starts with a wash. If the old finish is still in good shape, we do not sand. If it is failing, we sand it off first, because a new coat over a failing one lets go with it. Then two coats go on.
- A peeling finish cannot be stained overNew stain over a failing layer fails with it. The old finish has to be sanded off first, which is why a peeling deck costs more than a faded one.
- Too much stain is its own problemA coat the wood cannot absorb stays on top, stays tacky and wears off where people walk. That is why oils go on as one coat.
- Ipe and other hardwoods fade fast without oilHardwood owners say it again and again: oiled ipe drifts back to grey unless the oil is renewed. Acrylic sealers on ipe are the wrong product altogether.
Questions people actually ask
What is the best color to stain a deck?
The one our clients pick most is clear, then redwood tones, then cedar. Clear shows the wood as it is; a tinted stain evens out the color and holds up longer in sun.
Should deck stain go on in one coat or two?
It depends on the product. TWP, Armstrong Clark and Penofin are oils and go on in one coat. Behr Premium and Sherwin-Williams stains go on in two coats, sprayed.
What is the best stain for a redwood deck?
We use TWP, Armstrong Clark or Penofin in one coat. Owners on deck forums say Penofin darkens on redwood over time; we have not seen that in our work.
How much does it cost to stain a 20 by 20 deck?
A 20 by 20 deck is 400 sq ft. Sanding and staining run $7.00 plus $3.50 per sq ft of labor, $4,200 in all, and the stain is on top: 3 to 5 gallons at $75.
Can you stain over old stain?
We wash the deck first. If the old finish is in good shape, it gets new stain without sanding. If it peels or flakes, it is sanded off first.
When is a solid color stain the right choice?
When old wood needs covering, or when a deck has new boards next to old ones and they should end up one color. We use Behr Premium solid color, in two sprayed coats.
Who picks the color?
You do. We bring the options to the estimate and agree the color before any work starts.
Tired deck? Start with the number
The calculator gives the sanding and staining range for your size. Product and color are chosen with you at the estimate visit.