Should a deck be painted or stained?

Usually stained. A deck is horizontal and holds water, and paint on a horizontal surface eventually peels in sheets. Stain penetrates, wears gradually and is far easier to refresh.

How often does a deck need redoing?

In Cincinnati, typically every two to four years for stain depending on exposure and how much sun and rain it takes.

Can you stain a deck that was painted before?

Only if the paint is removed first, which is significant work. We will be straight with you about what that involves.

Do you repair boards as well?

Yes, we replace rotten or split boards before finishing. There is no point sealing wood that is failing.

Deck, Terrace & Fence Painting Cincinnati | Staining & Sealing

Garden terrace and deck finishing by Pronto Painting Cincinnati — Our work: terrace and outdoor timber.

Stain usually beats paint outdoors

A deck lies flat, so it holds water, snow and ice rather than shedding it like a wall. Paint sits on top of the wood as a film, and when water gets underneath that film it lifts in sheets — which is why painted decks look terrible after two Ohio winters.

Stain penetrates the timber instead of coating it. It wears gradually rather than failing, and when it is time to refresh you clean and recoat instead of stripping. For almost every deck we see, stain is the honest recommendation even though paint would be the easier sell.

What we finish outdoors

Decks — cleaned, repaired, stained or sealed
Terraces and porches, including railings and spindles
Fences, stained, sealed or painted
Pergolas, arbours and garden structures
Outdoor furniture and timber features

Deck staining completed by Pronto Painting in Cincinnati — Our work: deck stained and sealed.

Repair before finishing

There is no value in sealing wood that is already failing. We check for rotten or split boards, loose fixings and railings that have worked free, and replace what needs replacing before any finish goes on. On older decks this is often the larger part of the job, and we would rather tell you that at the estimate than halfway through.

Timing matters more outdoors

Stain needs dry timber and settled weather to penetrate. Applied to damp wood or in the wrong temperature it sits on the surface and fails early. Late spring through early autumn is the window in Cincinnati, and we will tell you if it is too late in the season.

Where we work

Based on Leona Drive in Covedale, working across Cincinnati — the West Side especially, plus Hyde Park, Oakley, Over-the-Rhine, College Hill and the rest of the city. Full list on our service areas page.

Common questions

Should a deck be painted or stained?: Usually stained. Paint on a horizontal surface eventually peels in sheets; stain penetrates and wears gradually.
How often does a deck need redoing?: Typically every two to four years in Cincinnati, depending on exposure.
Can you stain a deck that was painted before?: Only if the paint is removed first, which is significant work. We will be straight about what that involves.
Do you repair boards as well?: Yes. We replace rotten or split boards before finishing.

Deck, Terrace & Fence Finishing