Decks and fences · Calgary, AB
Deck and fence staining in Calgary
Staining or painting wood decks, railings and fences. Tell us what you have and a local contractor will check the wood and quote the prep and finish.
Free estimate · No obligation
Typical requests
- Grey, weathered deck boards
- Peeling or patchy old stain
- New pressure-treated deck or fence
- Fences faded unevenly by the sun
- Railings and stairs that need attention
- Priced by
- Board area, railings and spindles, cleaning or stripping, and stain type.
- Season
- Dry, warm weather, with a dry spell before and after.
- Biggest factor
- What is already on the wood, and how much has to come off.
Choosing a finish
From clear to solid: what each finish does
The more opaque the finish, the more it hides and protects from sun, and the harder it is to go back.
| Finish | Look | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Clear or toner | LookNatural wood grain, little colour | Trade-offLeast UV protection, needs the most frequent recoating. |
| Semi-transparent stain | LookColour with grain showing through | Trade-offA common balance of look and protection for decks. |
| Solid stain | LookOpaque colour, texture still visible | Trade-offHides mismatched or older boards. Can wear in traffic lanes. |
| Paint | LookOpaque film | Trade-offGood on fences and railings. Prone to peeling on walking surfaces. |
Process
Where the time goes on a deck
As with walls, the stain goes on quickly. Getting the wood ready is the work.
Step 1: Clean
A deck cleaner removes dirt, mildew and grey weathered fibres. Pressure washing, if used, needs a light hand so it does not raise or gouge the wood.
Step 2: Strip or sand where needed
Peeling film has to come off before a new coat, especially when changing to a less opaque finish.
Step 3: Repairs
Loose boards, raised nails and damaged boards are addressed. Replacement is carpentry and may be quoted separately.
Step 4: Dry time
The wood needs to dry after cleaning before stain goes on. Weather can push this a day or two.
Step 5: Apply
Stain worked into the boards, with ends and cut edges given attention because they absorb water first.
Not sure what is on your deck now?
Describe it as best you can. The contractor will identify it on the visit.
Local conditions
What wears a Calgary deck
Horizontal boards get the worst of everything: direct sun, standing snow, meltwater and foot traffic. Snow that sits on a deck for weeks and then melts during a chinook keeps the surface wet at a time when it cannot dry, which is hard on any finish. South-facing decks also take strong summer sun.
Help the finish last
- Shovel with a plastic blade rather than letting snow sit all winter.
- Keep planters on feet so water does not pool under them.
- Wash off debris in spring before it stains the boards.
Timing matters as much as product. See when to paint outside in Calgary for the weather side of scheduling.
Fences shared with a neighbour
If a fence is on or near a property line, both sides are usually visible to someone else. Talk to your neighbour before choosing a colour, and let the painter know whether they can access the other side.
Common questions
Deck and fence questions
Question not answered here? Ask it in your quote request.
Should I stain or paint my deck?
How soon can a new pressure-treated deck be stained?
Can I switch from a solid stain to a transparent one?
Can composite decking be stained?
Related
Also worth reading
- ServiceExterior house paintingOften quoted alongside trim, doors and the house itself.
- GuideWhen to do exterior work in CalgaryThe same weather window applies, with extra need for dry wood.
- GuideWhat affects the priceWhy stripping an old finish can cost more than the new coat.
- GuideQuestions to ask a painterWhat a written quote for exterior wood should spell out.
Free, no-obligation estimate
Get a free deck or fence quote
Describe the deck or fence and what is on it now. The contractor will check the wood before quoting.
Useful to include
- Deck size, or fence length, roughly
- Railings, spindles and stairs included or not
- What is on it now: bare, clear stain, semi-transparent, solid, paint
- Whether it is new wood, and when it was built
Get a free painting quote
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