A deck in Detroit sits under snow for months and bakes in summer sun, so its finish wears faster than any wall. We wash the boards, let them dry fully and stain or paint them. In most cases we suggest stain over paint for a deck floor, because it does not peel in sheets after a Michigan winter.
A backyard deck in Detroit has a hard life. Snow lies on the boards for weeks, meltwater soaks into the end grain, and then July sun dries the surface until it cracks. Most decks here are pressure treated pine, with some cedar and some composite. Wood decks need a finish to slow that cycle down. We start by looking at the boards, the stair treads, the railings and the ledger where the deck meets the house, and we tell you about any board that should be changed first.
The deck is cleaned with a wood cleaner and a careful wash, at a pressure low enough to avoid tearing the grain. Old stain that is flaking is stripped or sanded. Then the wood has to dry, which usually takes a couple of clear days. Stain put on damp boards fails early. We brush the stain into the boards and work a few boards at a time along their full length, so there are no lap marks where one section meets the next.
For the walking surface we lean toward a penetrating stain. It soaks in and wears away slowly, where a paint film on a deck floor tends to peel after a few winters. Solid color stain or paint works well on railings, posts and skirting, which see less wear. You choose between clear, semi transparent and solid looks from samples on your own wood. Stay off the deck until it is dry, and wait longer before putting furniture and planters back.
Deck painting & staining in Detroit: common questions
When is the right time of year to stain a deck in Detroit?
Late spring through early fall, on days that are dry and mild. The boards must be dry and the stain needs hours without rain. Very hot afternoons in full sun are poor too, because the stain dries before it soaks in.
My deck was painted and it is peeling. What can be done?
The loose paint has to come off by scraping, sanding or stripping. After that the deck can be finished with a solid color stain or repainted. Getting back to a see-through stain is hard once a deck has been painted, and we will be straight about what yours will allow.
How soon can a new pressure treated deck be stained?
New treated lumber is often wet from the treatment and needs time to dry out. A simple test is to sprinkle water on a board. If the water beads, wait. If it soaks in, the wood is ready for stain.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.