Having a beautiful deck and exterior fence is much more than just adding to your Texas home’s curb appeal. It’s an amazing place to host backyard BBQs, relax with the family, and throw that birthday party, all while blocking out the eyes of any nosey neighbors.
If you’re in Austin, TX and surrounding areas, especially in West Lake, , Bee cave, Lakeway, , Cedar Park, Leander ,and Liberty Hill, you’ll need this comprehensive guide to deck and fence staining and its many benefits.
How To Pick A Professional Deck Staining or Fence Staining Business
Fence staining shouldn’t be done by just anyone. You need a professional deck staining company to come in and do it right. So here are some things to consider before hiring a professional business for staining services:
- Look at reviews. What kind of reviews does the business have? There are lots of options in Austin, but just like any industry, not all professional companies are made the same!
- Do they specialize in residential services? Clean Coat Painting specializes in residential painting and staining services. You want someone who isn’t a jack-of-all-trades, but a master of one!
- Look at past projects. Quality professional businesses will offer images of past projects for you to look at.
- Ask for a free estimate. The best painting and staining businesses will offer a free estimate. This way there are no switch and bait experiences that suddenly make your services more expensive than you thought!
- Clarify expectations. Contractors are notorious for ripping off clients. At Clean Coat Painting, we make sure all expectations are communicated and value customer satisfaction. If you have any expectations, don’t hesitate to tell us so we can meet said expectations!
Why It’s Important To Stain Your Deck
A deck is just a deck, right? We disagree! A high-quality deck can add some flair to any outdoor event and even create value if you ever choose to resell. But it also just feels good! Once you restain your deck, the maintenance is easy and the benefits are long-lasting.
It’s important to keep your home’s deck in tip-top shape by adding extra beauty and protection by staining. Deck staining and painting boost its appearance by highlighting the wood grains and showing the structure’s beauty. With so many colors and tints, there is something to match and enhance every property.
Exterior deck staining can aid in preventing infestation and rot. When maintained and provided with regular staining, this dramatically increases the lifespan of your deck. The stain acts as a surface barrier from moisture and unwanted pest infestation, keeping it just as strong as the day it was built.
Exterior stains include a special ingredient that repels moisture. Just like your car’s rain-x windshield washer fluid, it allows rain to bead and fall away, preventing water from penetrating the surface and protecting the lumber.
The same goes for any exterior wooden structure in your Austin, TX, yard, such as a pergola. You need a quality stain to extend the lifespan of these heavily frequented spots––or you’ll be looking at replacements much sooner than needed.
Why It’s Important To Stain Your Fence
If you’ve seen all of the housing developments recently, you’ve probably heard stories about builders cutting corners. Houses can be completed with so many corners cut and fencing is no different. Unless you’ve elected for the service, it’s unlikely fence staining was involved. Most backyard fences are completed to the bare minimum of standards.
So here are some great benefits of having your fence stained:
Protection. Like deck staining, residential fence staining, can help stop the rot and preserve your wooden fence––it also keeps any wood-chomping bugs at bay. Because of the stain’s natural protective barrier, it prevents moisture from sitting on the fence, inhibiting water from penetrating the wood surfaces.
This also acts as a pest deterrent, having them looking in another direction––or at your neighbor’s poorly stained backyard fence.
Better Outdoor Experience. Staining is a flexible coating that expands and contracts with the wood as temperatures and weather change much better than paint does. That’s the reason why, when you see exterior wood that is painted, it tends to chip away as it wears because it cant flex with the changes of the wood/weather.
Better Resell Value. Yes, of course, fence staining is a way to protect a residential fence and allow it a longer life, but it also adds a sense of quality and beauty to your exterior. Stain enhances the appearance of the wood, highlighting the unique grain pattern and making your house look better than ever.
That’s why it’s important to hire a professional deck and fence staining company in Austin—we can help boost your home’s value!
How To Choose A Stain For Your Deck Or Fence
First, it’s important to mention that when you hire a quality fence staining company in Austin, TX, like Clean Coat Painting, we’ll help you with the process of choosing a stain for your deck or fence.
Do you want your fence to complement your front door color? We can help with that! Color consultation is a part of our services and we’ll be glad to be of assistance!
If you want to make this decision yourself, there are a few things you’ll need to factor in:
- Wood type
- The goal aesthetic
- Your environment
- An understanding in detail of different types of wood stains.
Sounds incredibly simple, right? It can be!
It’s far easier if you hire a professional, though. Choosing a dedicated family-owned business that provides Austin-quality fence staining can help make your deck and fence staining project move much more smoothly!
If you’re in Central Texas and need any exterior structure stained, contact us for a free estimate and let us handle the rest. With extensive experience in residential painting and staining fences and decks––yes, even that new pergola––we have all the answers for your specific project. It’s what makes us the best fence and deck staining company in Austin!
Your expert team will complete a list of preparation services before any deck or fence staining or exterior painting job can begin, especially if the structure was previously stained.
The Preparation Process For Fence And Deck Staining
We pride ourselves in a thorough process that results in high-end Austin quality fence staining. You can find more about how we work through the process on our service page, but
Before preparing a fence or deck for staining, it will need to be checked for any previous painting or staining jobs, rotting, sun damage, and splitting. Any minor repairs will have to be fixed before staining. It will also be examined to determine any mold or mildew growth so those areas can be treated.
Once you reach out to a residential Austin quality fence staining company, they will offer a scheduled visit for a free estimate to provide you with precisely what you need to get your complete customer satisfaction.
Scraping
Spent any time lifting old paint chips from your deck or fence? It’s satisfying and worrying at the same time.
Over time, if it was an old exterior painting job or an old staining job, the fence may need a bit of surface scraping to remove bits of paint or debris that have accumulated over the years. This not only helps the exterior stain adhere better, but also gives a more even and smooth appearance.
Pressure Washing
Pressure washing is a crucial step in exterior staining prep. Grime can build up on the surface of fences and decks, especially in and around Austin, TX. Pressure washing can remove mildew, dirt, mold, and moss. Once dried, it leaves the perfect clean canvas to continue the fence staining project.
So after everything is scraped, our team will focus on pressure washing to make sure the “canvas” for your stain will be the best possible!
Sanding
If you’ve been in Austin and surrounding areas this summer, after all the parties, Texas BBQs, and unpredictable weather, your backyard fence or decks may be looking a bit rough. But the good news is a little sanding can fix this right up. If your deck or fence need sanding (this isn’t always the case), we’ll make sure it’s done!
The smooth finish allows the stain to settle evenly and leaves your deck, pergola, or fence looking like new. It also helps the stains prevent unwanted moisture retention since there are no dents or divets for water to settle.
Painting Or Staining
An exterior painting and staining deck and fence company in Austin, TX, will have an expert team that can lend you a hand in choosing what is best for your needs and your house.
Deck and fence staining is best at extending the life of your lumber surfaces around central Texas. Whatever you do choose, it is key to have a team with extensive experience to offer their staining or painting services for an excellent job well done.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deck Staining In Austin
How long should I allow my wood to “weather” prior to putting a stain on it?
Did you build a beautiful new deck in the lovely Texas sun this spring? Before you think about paint or staining services, you need to allow the wood to weather.
This means letting it bend and move in the new environment and allowing the treated lumber to acclimate––this goes for pergolas and fences too. We suggest our customers wait around three to six months before contacting professional deck-staining businesses for quotes.
Want to test if it’s time? You can do what is called, “a bead test.” A bead test is a good way to tell when wood is ready to be stained.
When water is absorbed into the wood and doesn’t “bead” and sit on top, the wood is ready. It’s typically recommended to wait until the green chemicals on the pressure-treated wood are worn off.
How do I know if I need to sand my deck prior to staining?
If it’s been over a decade since you last cared for your deck or fence staining, it may need, at minimum, a good sanding. You’ll know this if you spot raised grain, rough spots, or any previous peeling or lifting paint or stain.
Unsure? You can send us some photos to see if our deck staining services will benefit your vision!
How do I know it is time to re-stain my deck?
You’ll know you require deck or fence staining once there is visible fading, flaking, cracking, mold, mildew, or if the wood looks dry and rough. Our deck and fence staining team can also inform you during their visit if you need new staining if you are unsure.
Again, we welcome any inquiries with photos to show the quality of your deck. We won’t recommend services if you don’t need them! However, we also offer free estimates, so you have nothing to lose to have us come out and check it in person.
Will the deck stain dry in cold weather?
Although Austin, TX, isn’t known for its blustery winters, it’s still best to choose a warmer day to complete your deck or fence staining project. Anything above 50 degrees but below 90 would be ideal.
In Austin, that means planning for between March and May, and then October through November for the best times to have your deck stained.
Will the deck stain lighten over time?
All stains will lighten over time, whether on a fence, deck, or pergola. With the sunny Austin, TX, environment this is to be expected. This is why having customers go with an extra seal coating is so crucial for Austin and surrounding areas.
This is why we recommend using solid stains since they provide the longest-lasting performance. Transparent and semi-transparent stains require more maintenance and upkeep, resulting in the need to re-stain every two years.
How Long Should I Stay Off Of My Deck After Staining?
Our team suggests to all of our customers that they keep furniture and foot traffic off the recently stained surface for the industry standard of 24 to 72 hours, depending on whether they choose a water or oil-based stain.
After we’re done painting or staining your deck, we’ll give you clear guidelines on what to do going forward.
Should I Get An Oil Or Water-Based Stain?
This recommendation will come in tandem with your free estimate.
To give you a running start on decision-making, you should know that oil-based stains enhance the natural beauty of the wood and tend to do a better job at overall protection. They have a longer dry time, but last longer than water-based stains.
Water-based stains offer a larger range of colors and tints, dry quicker, are easier to clean, and have a lower environmental impact.
So it really depends on the kind of long-term benefits you’re looking to create!
How Is The Weather Going To Impact My Deck Staining?
Before starting a staining project you’ll want to keep an eye on the weather. Just like exterior painting services, staining can be affected by heat, cold, and humidity.
If you pay attention to detail and plan the right day to stain it will prevent you from having to fix anything down the line.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fence Staining
Can you repair my fence before staining it?
It’s our job to give our customers the best project experience. Depending on the type of repair, we may be able to make the proper fixes. If the job is more significant, or you are missing fence panels or hardware, you may need to reach out to a fence company for repairs.
We do offer recommendations on quality businesses we trust!
How long does the fence staining process take?
Customers often wonder how long the fence staining process takes. In short, it can take anywhere from 1 hour to 10 or more. It depends on the size of the fence, if extra coats are needed, any other structers like a pergola, minimal repairs, and cleanup.
You can expect the project from preparation to completion to last about 1 to 3 days.
Do you want your fences to camouflage or stand out?
When driving around Austin, TX, you’ll notice a wide array of paints and stains in all colors, tints, and shades. We give our customers our knowledgeable expertise, but it’s up to you to choose what new fence staining color you like best.
Wrapping Up
We want our customers to know more about deck and fence staining so they know they are making the most informed choice for a large project like deck and fence staining.
We want your complete customer satisfaction with your staining or painting services, so make sure to reach out today!
Clean Coat Painting offers quality deck and painting services around Austin, TX areas like West Lake, Lakeway, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Liberty Hill, Bee Cave, and other areas!
Looking for a local deck and fence staining business in Austin, TX, and surrounding areas?