How Much Does Deck Staining Cost

If your house has a deck, then it would be a good idea to apply stains on it, especially when the deck is newly built. Why? Staining the deck primarily gives protection against fast aging, mildew, mold formations, undesirable marks, and even destructive ultraviolet rays from the sun. Stain also brings out the beauty of the deck and changes its color, depending on the kind of stain you want to use.

Apparently, staining a deck is relatively an easy job. As a matter of fact, you can do it by yourself. However, if you don’t have the time, you always have the option to hire the services of a deck contractor. With that said, it would be helpful to know the cost to stain a deck if you decide to want a professional to get the job done. You will also have an idea how you can spend for a DIY deck staining price.

Cost to Stain a Deck

There are many factors that affect the cost to stain a deck, but what counts that most are the deck’s size and layout, as well as, the type of stain you want to apply. In that regard, the average cost is around $850, but the actual costs for a professional service can range from $540 to $1,500 or higher, which already includes the material costs and labors. You should also know that contractors usually charge an hourly rate, and staining a deck can take three to five hours to finish.

Moreover, there are some contractors who provide services that offer various treatments at different costs, depending on the deck’s age and current condition, as well as, the type of maintenance the deck has undergone. On that note, here are a few basic methods that a professional applies to bring out the beauty of your deck or bring back its original look. But remember, these costs would substantially increase the total expenditures to complete the work.

*Light Sanding – This can be considered as a general deck treatment, which is ideally done on a yearly basis. Some deck staining companies charge a flat rate. But oftentimes, contractors charge based on the size of your deck. For this type of treatment, the costs can run from $1 to $1.50 per square foot.

*Power Sanding – For this service, expect that your deck will undergo a vigorous treatment, especially when it has not been well-maintained, or its colors are changing every now and then. The cost for this treatment ranges from $2 to $4 per square foot.

*Power Washing – Professionals usually this method when the deck only needs a light maintenance like sealing and thorough cleaning. This service can cost around $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot, depending on the size and surface condition of your deck.

*Integration of Rails and Spindles – Typically, this is considered as an extra fee, which is calculated based on the rails’ total length. If for instance, the service wants to charge a fee for the length of every spindle, then it is highly recommended that you hire another company to do this job. The truth is that you only need to pay the price for the rails with a height of 3 to 3.5 inches. The cost ranges from $6.50 to $12.50, which varies based on the color change, paint, or railing style.

DIY Deck Staining

For a do-it-yourself project, the total deck staining price may only be around $20 to $250, depending on the prices of the materials on the market and how much stains you are going to need.

According to HomeAdvisor, stains are usually available in 1-gallon containers, and each gallon can cover areas between 200 and 300 square feet, hence, two gallons of stain may be enough to cover a 500-square foot deck. However, the volume of stains still depends on the amount (thickness) you apply on the deck.

Meanwhile, the stain prices significantly vary on the quality of the stain. But in most cases, the prices can go around $20 to $120 per gallon, having the maximum price as the best kind of stain available on the market. In addition to the basic material in deck staining, you also need to spend an extra $50 to purchase the following supplies:

– a paint roller with an extended handle for conveniently spreading the stain

– spreadsheets or tarps to cover areas that should not be stained

– a masking tape to hold the tarps

– smaller types of paint brushes for applying the stain on tight surfaces

Types of Stains

Apparently, there are many types of stains available on the market today. Despite the several choices, it is best to know how each type works and be aware of their benefits and drawbacks before making the purchase and applying it on the deck. Here are the types of stains for your deck:

Clear

– This does not contain any pigment and can be used as a sealer in some cases.

– Clear stain is easily applied to the surface, and it doesn’t alter the appearance of the wood no matter how much stain you apply. However, it does not come with enough UV protection, and due to oxidation, clear stain turns grey after a few months.

Transparent

– Contains a little amount of pigment and only available as an oil-based stain.

– It can only last for a year, but it is easy to apply on the surface. It also brings out the natural look of the wood.

Semi-Transparent

– This is available in both oil- and water-based. It contains pigments that emphasize the wood grain, and it works as a sealer for the deck’s surface.

– It has an average UV protection. Moreover, it penetrates well on the surface, and can easily be cleaned or removed. However, the water-based semi-transparent stain tends to have a poor performance.

Solid

– A solid stain appears like a paint. If you apply this stain, the wood grain would disappear. And if you decide to remove it from the surface, the color may never be removed.

– UV protection is outstanding, and it really works effectively on damaged, old, or permanently stained deck. However, it has poor penetration and tends to peel off. It’s also difficult to apply on the surface.

Water-Based

– Stains under this category are environment-friendly, and can easily be washed off using water. You can expect fewer formations of mildew or mold.

– Just like solid stains, water-based stains don’t penetrate the surface efficiently. It dries quickly and peels off easily.

Oil-Based

– This happens to be the most popular and most effective type of stain, being used for more than 30 years already. It contains natural and synthetic oils.

– Penetrates on the surface very well. It can easily be applied to the deck’s surface while bringing out its natural look.

– It has a strong odor and can cause molds.