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You’re not just getting color on wood. You’re getting protection that stands up to Leonard’s brutal winters and humid summers without peeling, cracking, or washing away after the first storm.
A properly stained deck in Leonard means no more worrying about water damage every time it rains. No more watching your investment deteriorate while you debate whether to fix it or replace it entirely.
Your deck becomes the outdoor space you actually want to use—not the eyesore you avoid showing neighbors.
Legends Construction has been handling painting projects for over 10 years, with our current company serving Leonard area homeowners for two years. We’ve learned what works in Michigan’s unpredictable climate and what doesn’t.
We’re not the biggest operation—it’s mainly two brothers who care more about doing the job right than rushing to the next one. That means we show up when we say we will, use materials that actually last in Leonard weather, and don’t leave until you’re satisfied.
Every deck staining job gets the same attention whether it’s a small porch or a massive multi-level deck. Because in Leonard, there’s no room for shortcuts when winter’s coming.
First, we check the weather forecast. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many contractors skip this step and end up with rain-damaged stain jobs. We need at least 24 hours of dry weather before and after application.
Next comes the real work—power washing and surface prep. This isn’t a quick spray-down. We remove years of dirt, mildew, and any old stain that’s failing. If we find rotted boards or loose railings, we fix those too.
Then we apply the stain when conditions are right—temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees, low humidity, no direct sunlight beating down. We use water-based stains that meet Michigan’s new regulations while still providing the protection your deck needs. The application goes on evenly, penetrates properly, and cures without issues.
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Every deck staining project starts with honest assessment. We’ll tell you exactly what your deck needs—whether that’s a simple cleaning and restain, or if there are bigger issues to address first.
Our Leonard deck staining service includes complete surface preparation, professional-grade power washing, any necessary repairs to loose boards or hardware, and application of high-quality stain designed for Michigan weather. We use products that resist UV damage, moisture penetration, and temperature fluctuations.
You get a deck that’s protected from Leonard’s harsh winters and humid summers. The stain penetrates deep into the wood fibers, creating a barrier against moisture, snow, ice, and summer sun. Most importantly, it’s applied correctly the first time—no callbacks needed because we rushed the job or ignored the weather forecast.
In Leonard’s climate, you’re looking at restaining every 2-3 years for optimal protection. Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycles, summer humidity, and UV exposure take a toll on even the best stains.
The exact timing depends on your deck’s exposure to sun and weather, foot traffic, and the quality of the previous stain job. If water stops beading on the surface and starts soaking into the wood, it’s time to restain.
Don’t wait until the stain is completely gone and the wood is gray. By then, you’re looking at more extensive prep work and potentially board replacement.
Late spring and early fall are ideal for deck staining in Leonard. You need temperatures consistently between 50-90 degrees with low humidity and no rain in the forecast for at least 24 hours before and after application.
Summer can work if you schedule early morning or late afternoon applications to avoid direct sunlight, which causes stain to dry too quickly and fail to penetrate properly. Never attempt deck staining when rain is forecasted or when temperatures will drop below 50 degrees overnight.
Michigan weather changes fast, so we always check extended forecasts before starting any project. Better to wait for the right conditions than deal with a failed stain job.
Michigan banned oil-based stains for environmental reasons. You can still buy what’s left on store shelves, but no new shipments are coming in. This means most deck staining projects now use water-based alternatives.
The good news is that modern water-based stains have improved significantly. They dry faster, have less odor, and still provide excellent protection when applied correctly. The key is proper surface preparation and application technique.
If your deck currently has oil-based stain, we can apply water-based over it in most cases, but proper prep work is crucial for adhesion and longevity.
Weather timing is everything in deck staining. We monitor forecasts constantly and won’t start a project if there’s any chance of rain within 24 hours of application. If weather changes unexpectedly, we have tarps and covers ready to protect freshly stained surfaces.
We also schedule projects with buffer time built in. If conditions aren’t right on the planned day, we reschedule rather than risk a poor result. Michigan weather doesn’t follow anyone’s schedule, and rushing leads to callbacks and customer frustration.
Temperature matters too—we use infrared thermometers to check surface temperature, not just air temperature. Wood can be much hotter than the surrounding air on sunny days, which affects how stain penetrates and cures.
Light drizzle usually won’t hurt a properly applied stain that’s had time to penetrate, but a heavy downpour can wash away fresh stain or cause blotchy, uneven coverage. This is why we’re so careful about weather timing.
If unexpected rain does hit before the stain has cured, we’ll assess the damage once everything dries. Sometimes a light touch-up coat fixes the problem. In severe cases, we may need to strip and restain affected areas.
This is part of our commitment to standing behind our work. We don’t consider a job finished until you have a deck that’s properly protected, even if weather throws us a curveball.
Absolutely. There’s no point in staining over rotted boards, loose railings, or protruding nails. We inspect every deck thoroughly before starting and fix any issues we find.
Common repairs in Leonard include replacing boards damaged by freeze-thaw cycles, tightening hardware loosened by seasonal movement, and addressing areas where water has pooled and caused rot. We handle these repairs as part of the staining process.
The goal is a deck that’s structurally sound and properly protected. Staining over problems just hides them temporarily—we’d rather fix things right the first time so your deck lasts for years.
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