Home Improvement Ideas Decks Deck Designs & Ideas How to Stain a Deck for a Beautiful, Long-Lasting Finish Staining your deck provides fresh color and added protection from the elements. Learn the steps to stain a deck for a major style boost. By Katie Bandurski Updated on July 20, 2023 Project Overview Working Time: 12 hours Total Time: 4 days, 4 hours Skill Level: Intermediate Estimated Cost: $50 Deck staining does more than add beautiful color to your outdoor space. This coating can also help protect your deck, guarding against damage from water, rot, mold, and other pesky problems. Newly built decks should generally be stained immediately, and existing decks require restaining about every two or three years or at the earliest signs of wear. Learn how to stain a deck, which you'll need to do when drops of water sprinkled on the surface absorb quickly into the wood. If the water beads on top, your deck staining is likely good for another few months. Anthony Masterson You can easily customize your space with deck staining that best matches your style, with options ranging from clear finishes to rich, solid colors. Clear or light-toned finishes highlight the natural color and pattern of the wood with minimal pigment, while semi-transparent stains let you alter the wood's tone while still allowing the grain to show through. Semi-solid and solid stains cover most or all of the wood grain with color and offer the most long-lasting finish. Whatever finish you choose, look for a deck stain and sealant that repels water and offers protection against UV rays. Exterior wood stains are available in oil-based formulas, which penetrate the wood and take longer to dry, and water-based versions that sit on top of the surface and dry much faster. Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully to ensure proper application. How to Pick Deck Stain Colors to Transform Your Outdoor Space What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Belt or orbital sander Broom Stiff brush Garden hose or power washer Paint roller 5- to 6-inch-wide paintbrush 2- to 3-inch-wide paintbrush Materials 60 or 80 grit sandpaper Deck cleaner Painters tape Deck stain or paint Clear sealant (optional) Instructions Matthew Clark and Hannah Bigot How to Stain a Deck How much time you'll need to devote to this project depends on the size of your deck. Most deck staining can be done in one weekend, plus a few days of dry time. Plan to stain your deck when the weather is dry and the temperature is between 50 and 90°F. The stain must be absorbed into the wood before it dries thoroughly, so avoid deck staining in direct sunlight. Prep for Deck Staining Before applying any stain or paint, you must prep the deck's surface. Use a belt sander or orbital sander to sand the deck lightly, working in the direction of the wood grain. Thoroughly sweep the deck to remove any wood dust particles. Mix a batch of deck cleaner according to the manufacturer's directions. Apply it, then scrub with a stiff brush. Make sure to scrub in the direction of the wood grain to clean the surface thoroughly. Depending on how dirty your deck is, this might be a process you'll need to repeat to clean the wood completely. Power-Wash the Surface After you've scrubbed your deck, use a power washer to rinse off the cleaner. Use the fan or 40-degree nozzle, careful not to get too close to the wood. The heavy, direct water pressure can damage the deck's surface. Allow the deck to dry completely, which can take 12-24 hours. If you don't have a power washer, you can rent one from your local home improvement store. You can also use a garden hose with a sprayer set on the jet spray. Apply Stain on the Deck Once the deck is completely dry, use painters tape to protect your home's siding adjacent to the deck. Then apply stain or paint with a roller. Work carefully to avoid blobs and streaks. Stain small, 3-foot-square sections at a time, then pause with the roller and brush the surface with your large paintbrush. This step eliminates drips and puddles and creates a more natural brushstroke. Make deck staining is done along the wood grain. To make the deck staining process easier, work with a helper. Have one person roll on the stain while the other brushes. The 9 Best Deck Stains of 2024 to Protect and Revive Your Deck Stain the Remaining Details Use a smaller paintbrush to stain deck railings, spindles, stairs, skirt boards, and other remaining deck portions. Pay close attention to the edges of the boards so you don't have brushstrokes that run against the grain. Let the stain dry for 48 hours before walking on it. Optional: Seal Your Stained Deck Most high-quality exterior stains combine pigment with a sealer that offers weather-proofing protection. If you use a simple stain that doesn't protect against water or UV rays, apply a clear sealant over the stained deck. Wait at least 48 hours after staining to ensure the surface is completely dry, and apply one thin coat using the same roller-and-brush technique outlined above.