Top 10 deck staining and sealing services in Harrisburg, PA
Costs to stain a deck
Frequently asked questions about deck staining, painting & refinishing companies
Deck stain and sealer serve basically the same function: to preserve wood and protect from moisture and the elements. A deck is exposed to wind, rain, and UV rains all year long. Moisture can lead to fungal and mold growth, and it could rot the wood. Protecting the deck from moisture intrusion can lengthen the life of a deck, and it can prevent individual boards from rotting which could create a safety hazard. A deck sealer is a transparent or clear finish that either forms a clear film on top of the wood or penetrates it. A deck sealer does a great job at protecting wood from moisture, but does not protect it from UV rays.
Prolonged exposure to UV rays dries up the wood’s natural oils causing cracking and splitting. Deck stains have the same moisture resistant qualities as deck sealing. However, deck stain has added pigment. This color is partially transparent which gives deck stain an added UV protection benefit.
Staining and sealing a deck achieve the same basic aim which is to protect the wood from moisture. Deck sealers are usually a clear finish that coats the outside surface of your deck’s wood. Sealer protects the wood from moisture, which is crucial. Unwanted moisture can cause rot, and encourage the growth of mold, fungus and mildew. Deck sealer does not protect the wood from UV rays. ‘’Even protected with deck sealer, your deck’s color may only last three-to-six months before graying and fading. Sealant should be applied once a year, and is relatively simple to apply.
Deck stains penetrate the surface of the wood. Stains contain pigment that changes the color of the wood providing UV protection. There are a wide range of stains. Getting the right level of opacity depends on the wood surface and your personal taste. Applying stain is tricky. It may make sense to hire a deck contractor to apply it for you. While stain is more expensive than sealer, and typically involves hiring a pro, it lasts up to five times longer. A sealed deck will look more professional. Ultimately, the choice as to whether to stain or seal your deck is up to you.
It’s great to be able to enjoy the outdoors on your deck. A deck provides extra room for entertaining, and a way to enjoy fresh air in the comfort of your home. It’s important to protect a wood deck from the elements. Unwanted moisture encourages rot which can weaken the structure of the deck and shorten its useful lifespan. Moisture also encourages harmful fungal and mold growth. Both staining and sealing your deck protects it from moisture. However, staining a deck offers the additional advantage of protecting the wood from UV rays.
Deck stain offers UV protection due to the pigment it contains. The darker the stain, the better the deck stain protects your deck. There is a wide array of stains. Getting the right opacity depends on the surface you are staining and your taste. Staining a deck is more expensive than sealing it. The stain itself is more expensive, and it makes sense to invest in hiring a deck contractor to apply the stain as application can be a bit tricky. However, staining a deck protects it from both moisture and UV rays. Deck stain lasts longer than deck sealant.
It’s important to protect your deck because wood on your deck is exposed to the elements all year long. Rain can seep into the wood and encourage the growth of mildew and fungus. Unwanted moisture leads to rot which weakens wood and shortens the life of your deck. Applying deck sealant protects the wood from moisture. But moisture isn’t the only threat to your deck. UV rays dry out the wood, causing splitting and cracking. In order to protect your deck from both moisture and woods, it makes sense to invest in a deck stain and sealant. The pigment in staining protects your deck from the sun’s harmful rays. Stain is more expensive than a sealant but lasts up to five times as long.
Many stains contain a protective sealant. You can test your deck’s surface to see if the stain with the protective sealant by sprinkling water on the wood periodically. If the water beads up, the sealant in the stain is still working. Some experts recommend resealing your stained deck yearly.
Recent reviews for Harrisburg deck staining & sealing services
We are so happy with Just Add Paint! They just finished painting our entire basement, and we couldn't be more pleased. The crew did a professional job from start to finish. Great clean up, too. We recommend Just Add Paint to anyone looking for qual...
We were extremely pleased with the job that Curtis of "Just Add Paint" did on our new wall of built-in bookcases, cabinets and fireplace. He was meticulous, neat, prompt and very reasonably priced! We will definitely have him back and highly recommend h...
This crew is the best I've seen. I live alone and worry about people having access to my home. Curtis and the crew are pleasant and professional. They have completed two jobs for me and I have referred them to my friends. They have the equipment to c...
Just Add Paint are really great at what they do. They have a strong attention to detail, are very thorough, use quality paints, and have very fair prices. I used them for all my painting needs at my rental properties!
We love the work that Just Add Paint with Curtis and his team. Timely, professional, neat and the job was outstanding. Very satisfied, exceeded our expectations!
We contracted Just Add Paint to paint our cabinets, trim, ceilings, walls, and doors for our townhouse. Curtis and his crew did a fantastic job; they were clean, courteous, timely, trustworthy, and overall, very friendly. We are very impressed with the q...
These guys are fabulous! I have used them at both my townhouses and again recently at my Mom's older home. Talk about challenging! We had old wall paper backing on the walls, old shiny flowered walls in the bathrooms. They always have a solution for the ...
Excellent experience. They were very professional and explained everything very clearly. We had 2 rooms painted and one had stubborn wallpaper that they dealt with very well. Everything looks wonderful, better than expected. Excellent customer service, co...
We've hired Just Add Paint three times in the past couple of years - most recently to paint every room in our new home. My wife and I can't say enough good things about the quality of their work and the overall experience of working with their experienced...
I have an old house and wanted two rooms painted so I called Just Add Paint because of their excellent reviews. They are very professional and knowledgeable and I was impressed when Curtis showed up with the company van with a nice looking logo and his i...
We recently had the entire first floor of our house painted. It was 7 rooms and a central 2 story foyer. They did walls, ceilings and trim and we could not be happier. Curtis’s team did a great job and they did it in less time than we expected. We l...
