Decks, porches and fences get the hardest weather on the property: snow in winter, sun in summer and damp in between. These are the questions we hear most about finishing them.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Local labor, paint prices and the condition of your own walls move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
How much does it cost to stain a deck?
It costs $1.50 to $4 per square foot to have a deck stained, by HomeGuide's national figures, or $450 to $1,000 on average. The published figure for a 12 by 16 foot deck is $301 to $775. For a 300 square foot deck, $1.50 to $4 per square foot works out to $450 to $1,200.
| Work | National figure per square foot |
|---|---|
| Stain and seal | $0.50 to $1.50 |
| Power wash, stain and seal | $1.00 to $2.50 |
| Power sand, stain and seal | $2.00 to $4.00 |
| Strip, stain and seal | $2.50 to $5.50 |
Railings are extra: $4 to $12 per linear foot by the same source. Stairs and the stacked porches on multi-family houses add time.
Should I paint or stain my deck?
Stain is the better choice for most decks in this climate. Stain soaks into the wood and wears away slowly. Paint forms a film that looks good at first but peels when water gets under it, and snow and standing water make sure it does. Paint makes sense on a covered porch floor that has always been painted. National figures put deck painting at $2 to $5 per square foot.
Solid or semi-transparent stain on an old deck?
Use solid stain on an old deck and semi-transparent on newer wood in good shape. Solid stain hides grey patches, old stains and new boards that do not match. Semi-transparent shows the grain and looks best on clean, even wood. Solid stain forms a thin film, so it can peel if the prep is poor.
How often does a deck need restaining?
A deck needs restaining every 2 to 3 years, by the national figure. Decks in full sun and decks that hold snow wear faster. A simple test is to sprinkle water on the boards. If it soaks in instead of beading, it is time.
Can you paint a deck that was previously stained, or stain one that was painted?
A previously stained deck can be painted or given a solid stain after cleaning and sanding. Going the other way is harder. A deck that was already painted cannot take stain until all the paint is stripped off, because stain has to soak into bare wood. Often the practical choice for a painted deck is to scrape, prime and repaint. HomeGuide lists repainting a deck at $3 to $9 per square foot.
Why is my deck stain peeling after a year?
Deck stain is peeling because it could not soak in. The usual causes are damp wood, new wood that was still sealed by the mill, stain put over an old coating, or too much stain left on the surface. The fix is to strip or sand back to bare wood, let it dry and apply thin coats.
How long to wait before staining a new deck or pressure-treated fence?
Wait until the wood is dry. New pressure-treated lumber is sold wet and usually needs from several weeks to a few months of drying weather. Sprinkle water on it. When the water soaks in instead of beading, it is ready. A new deck built in late fall here is usually best stained the next spring.
Can I stain a deck while the wood is damp?
No. Damp wood cannot take in stain, so the stain sits on top and peels. After rain or washing, give the deck at least a day or two of dry weather. Morning dew is heavy near the Bay, so start once the boards have dried off.
Should I stain or paint my wood fence?
Stain is the easier choice for most wood fences. It fades instead of peeling and can be renewed with a wash and a new coat. Paint suits a picket fence where a crisp color matters, but it needs scraping before every repaint. National figures put fence staining or painting at $2 to $14 per linear foot, or $200 to $1,400 for 100 feet.
Is an old pine fence worth staining or should it be replaced?
An old fence is worth staining if the posts are firm and the boards are solid. Grey color washes off. If posts rock in the ground or the boards are soft at the bottom, stain will not save it. Fix or replace those parts first. No national figure is published for how long fence stain lasts.
A free on-site estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (401) 414-4566.