Hear from Our Customers
Your deck faces Michigan’s brutal weather swings every single day. Scorching summers, freezing winters, and everything in between. Without proper protection, that expensive deck investment turns into a weathered, gray eyesore faster than you’d think.
Professional deck staining changes everything. The right stain penetrates deep into the wood fibers, creating a barrier that actually holds up against rain, snow, and UV rays. Your deck keeps its rich color and smooth texture instead of turning into that splintered, faded mess you see around the neighborhood.
The difference isn’t just cosmetic. Protected wood lasts decades longer, saves you thousands in replacement costs, and keeps your property value where it should be.
We’ve been handling painting projects in Fraser and throughout Macomb County for over 10 years. We’re not the cheapest option, and that’s exactly the point.
We’ve seen what happens when deck staining goes wrong. Contractors who spray stain everywhere, leaving your landscaping dead and your brick stained. DIY jobs that peel and flake within months because the timing was wrong or the prep work was skipped.
Our approach is different. We hand-brush every application for precise control. We time projects around Michigan’s unpredictable weather. We prep surfaces properly so the stain actually penetrates instead of sitting on top waiting to fail.
First, we clean your deck thoroughly. This isn’t a quick rinse—we remove old finishes, dirt, and mildew that prevent proper stain absorption. If you have newer cedar boards mixed with older ones, we weather them beforehand so everything matches when we’re done.
Next comes surface preparation. We sand any rough spots, check for loose boards, and make sure the wood is completely dry. Michigan’s humidity can be tricky, so we test moisture levels before applying anything.
Then we apply the stain by hand with brushes and applicators. No spraying that gets stain all over your landscaping and siding. We work in manageable sections, ensuring even coverage and proper penetration. If your deck needs a sealer coat for extra protection, we apply that after the stain has cured properly.
Ready to get started?
Every deck staining project in Fraser includes complete surface preparation, professional-grade stain application, and cleanup that leaves your property better than we found it. We use semi-transparent stains that enhance your wood’s natural grain while providing maximum weather protection.
Fraser’s housing stock dates mostly to the 1970s, which means many decks are reaching that critical maintenance point. We understand the specific challenges of older cedar and pressure-treated lumber. Our staining process accounts for how different wood types absorb stain and age over time.
Michigan’s weather demands stains that can handle temperature swings from below freezing to over 90 degrees. We select products specifically formulated for our climate, ensuring your investment lasts the full 2-3 years between applications instead of failing after one harsh winter.
Most decks in Fraser need restaining every 2-3 years, depending on exposure and foot traffic. Michigan’s weather is particularly hard on exterior wood—our freeze-thaw cycles, intense summer sun, and heavy precipitation accelerate wear compared to milder climates.
If your deck faces south or west, it probably needs attention on the shorter end of that timeline. North-facing decks in shaded areas might stretch to 3 years. The key indicator is water absorption—if water soaks in instead of beading up, it’s time for fresh stain.
Don’t wait until the wood starts turning gray. Once that weathering process starts, you’ll need more aggressive prep work to get good stain penetration.
Late spring and early fall are ideal for deck staining in Fraser. You need consistent temperatures between 50-90 degrees with low humidity and no rain in the forecast for at least 48 hours.
Summer can work, but Michigan’s heat waves make timing tricky. Stain applied in direct sunlight or temperatures above 90 degrees will flash-dry before it penetrates properly, leaving you with a blotchy, uneven finish that won’t last.
Winter is out of the question—cold temperatures prevent proper curing, and you’ll end up with stain that stays tacky or fails completely. We plan most Fraser deck staining projects for May-June and September-October when weather conditions are most predictable.
It depends on what type of paint was used and its current condition. Solid paint creates a barrier that prevents stain penetration, so we’d need to strip it completely before applying new stain.
If the paint is peeling or failing, stripping becomes even more important—stain applied over loose paint will fail quickly. The process involves chemical strippers or sanding, which adds time and cost to the project.
Semi-transparent stains over existing semi-transparent finishes work much better. We can often clean and lightly sand the surface, then apply compatible stain directly. This is why we recommend sticking with quality semi-transparent products from the beginning—they’re much easier to maintain long-term.
Rain timing is critical for deck staining success. If rain hits before the stain has properly dried and cured, it can wash away the finish or create water spots and blotchy areas that require sanding and recoating.
Most quality stains need 24-48 hours of dry weather to cure properly, though some newer formulations are rain-safe in just a few hours. We always check extended forecasts before starting and have tarps available for unexpected weather changes.
If rain does cause problems, the fix usually involves light sanding of affected areas and spot recoating. This is why we only work when weather conditions are favorable—prevention is much easier than repair, and it saves you time and money.
We hand-brush all stain applications for precise control and even coverage. Spraying might be faster, but it’s a disaster waiting to happen—stain overspray kills landscaping, stains brick and siding, and creates cleanup nightmares.
Michigan’s frequent breezes make spray application even riskier. We’ve been called to fix too many jobs where contractors tried to save time with sprayers and ended up causing property damage that cost more than the original project.
Brushing takes longer, but it ensures the stain penetrates properly into the wood grain and doesn’t end up where it doesn’t belong. The results last longer and look more professional, which is what you’re paying for.
Most structural deck issues can be repaired without full replacement, but the wood condition determines whether staining makes sense. If boards are solid with just surface weathering, staining will restore both appearance and protection.
Look for soft spots, extensive cracking, or boards that flex too much underfoot—these indicate structural problems that need repair first. Loose railings, wobbly posts, or sagging sections require carpentry work before any staining happens.
Surface issues like gray weathering, minor stains, or worn finish are perfect candidates for professional staining. Even decks that look pretty rough can often be restored with proper cleaning, light sanding, and quality stain application. We’ll assess your deck’s condition during the estimate and recommend the most cost-effective approach.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Fraser
