Hear from Our Customers
Your deck takes a beating from Michigan’s unpredictable weather. Without proper protection, you’re looking at cracked, faded boards that turn gray and weathered within the first year.
Quality deck staining creates a barrier against UV rays that break down wood fibers over time. It repels rain and snow, reducing the risk of water soaking into the wood and causing rot or warping.
The right stain also makes your life easier. Spills and dirt won’t absorb as easily, so routine cleaning becomes simpler. Plus, you get to choose the look – from clear finishes that showcase natural wood grain to rich solid colors that completely transform your outdoor space.
Legends Construction LLC has been serving the Macomb County area for over a decade, dealing with every type of deck condition you can imagine. We’ve seen what Sterling Heights weather does to unprotected wood.
Our approach is straightforward: quality work at competitive pricing. We’re not the cheapest option, and that’s intentional. You’re investing in fewer repaints, fewer headaches, and real protection that lasts.
Sterling Heights homeowners call us back because we focus on doing the job right the first time. That means proper preparation, quality materials designed for Michigan weather, and application techniques that ensure even coverage and maximum protection.
First, we clean your deck thoroughly using wood cleaners designed to lift deeply embedded dirt and graying without damaging the underlying structure. Sometimes this includes gentle pressure washing to remove dirt, mildew, and old finish buildup.
Next comes preparation. We sand rough areas with fine-grit paper to smooth the surface and open the wood grain. This helps the stain soak in properly for better adhesion and a smoother finish.
Then we apply the selected stain using staining pads or brushes, working with the wood grain to promote uniform coverage and penetration. This technique helps avoid lap marks and patchy areas, resulting in consistent protection and color. After application, we check our work for consistency and allow the deck the necessary time to dry completely based on temperature and humidity.
Ready to get started?
We select stain products specifically formulated to resist UV damage and moisture in Macomb County conditions. These aren’t generic stains – they’re chosen because they perform well in Michigan’s challenging climate.
Sterling Heights faces unique weather patterns. Your deck deals with harsh summer sun, freezing winters, wet springs, and debris-filled falls. Each season brings challenges that can damage your investment if you’re not prepared with the right protection.
Our stains range from clear or transparent options that primarily protect while showcasing natural wood beauty, to solid colors that cover wood grain completely while offering strong UV resistance. We’ll help you choose based on your deck’s current condition and your aesthetic preferences.
In Sterling Heights, quality deck staining typically lasts 2-3 years before needing reapplication, though this depends on your deck’s exposure to sun and weather. Decks that get full sun exposure may need attention sooner than those with partial shade.
We recommend annual cleaning and inspection to catch any issues early. The good news is that when stain starts to fade, you can usually clean and reapply without major prep work – unlike paint, which requires scraping when it starts peeling.
Michigan’s climate is particularly tough on outdoor wood, so staying ahead of maintenance helps prevent small issues from becoming expensive problems.
Late spring through early fall offers the best conditions for deck staining in Sterling Heights. You need temperatures consistently above 50 degrees for proper application and drying – both during the day and overnight.
We avoid staining when rain is forecast within 24 hours, as moisture can ruin the finish before it properly cures. Summer can work well, but we prefer moderate temperatures when possible since extreme heat can cause stain to dry too quickly for even coverage.
Fall staining is popular because it prepares your deck for winter protection, but timing is critical as temperatures drop quickly in Michigan once October arrives.
We stain both new and weathered decks, but the approach differs. New pressure-treated lumber needs time to weather – typically 4-6 weeks – so the wood grain opens up and accepts stain properly.
New wood often has mill glaze and natural chemicals called tannins that prevent proper stain penetration. We clean new decks before staining to remove these barriers and ensure the stain soaks in evenly.
Weathered decks require more preparation, including cleaning to remove gray discoloration and sometimes light sanding to smooth rough areas. Both new and old decks benefit from proper preparation – it’s the key to long-lasting results.
We cover all plants and landscaping with plastic sheeting before starting any cleaning or staining work. While our wood cleaners are environmentally safe, stain products can harm plants if they get saturated.
We use hand brushes and staining pads rather than spraying whenever possible. This gives us better control and helps prevent stain from drifting onto landscaping, even in light wind conditions.
After the job is complete, we remove all protective coverings and clean up any debris. We’ve learned that taking extra time to protect your property upfront helps prevent problems and keeps customers happy.
We work with all common decking materials found in Sterling Heights – pressure-treated pine, cedar, redwood, and composite materials. Each wood type has different characteristics that affect how we approach the staining process.
Cedar and redwood are naturally rot-resistant but still benefit from UV protection. Pressure-treated pine is common in our area and responds well to staining once it’s properly weathered and prepared.
The key is matching the right stain type to your specific wood and condition. We’ll assess your deck’s material and current state to recommend the best approach for long-lasting protection and appearance.
We can restain over existing stain if it’s in good condition and properly adhered. However, if the previous stain is peeling, cracking, or failing, we’ll need to strip it away first for proper adhesion of the new stain.
Paint is different – you can’t successfully stain over paint. If your deck is painted and you want to switch to stain, we’ll need to remove the paint completely, which is more labor-intensive but gives better long-term results.
We’ll assess your deck’s current finish during our initial inspection and explain exactly what preparation work is needed. Being upfront about this helps prevent surprises and ensures you get the results you’re expecting.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Sterling Heights
