A deck in Ann Arbor spends the winter under snow and the summer in sun, so its finish wears faster than anything else on the house. We wash the deck, let the wood dry fully, sand or strip where needed and apply stain or paint in thin coats. Most decks here do best with stain.
Backyard decks are everywhere in Ann Arbor, most of them built of pressure-treated pine, with cedar on some older and higher-end ones. Many sit under mature maples and oaks, which means shade, fallen leaves and boards that stay wet. Green algae and black mildew grow on the north side and between the boards. In open yards the trouble is the opposite: summer sun dries the surface until it cracks and turns gray. Either way, the flat boards wear out their finish long before the walls of the house need paint.
We start by checking the boards, rails and steps for rot and loose fasteners, and we tell you what should be replaced before any finish goes on. The deck is cleaned with a wood cleaner and a gentle wash, since high pressure tears up soft pine. Old peeling coatings are stripped or sanded. Then the wood has to dry, usually for a couple of clear days. Stain is brushed or rolled into the boards in thin coats, and the board ends and rail tops get extra attention because they soak up the most water.
Stain or paint is the main choice. A penetrating stain soaks in and wears away slowly, so the next coat only needs a wash first. Paint and thick solid coatings form a film, and on a floor that holds snow all winter that film tends to crack and peel. For that reason we suggest stain on most deck floors here and keep paint for rails and posts if you want color. Work is booked for dry spells from late spring to early fall, and the quote is written.
Deck painting & staining in Ann Arbor: common questions
How long should a new pressure-treated deck dry before staining in Michigan?
Until it takes up water. Sprinkle some on the boards. If it beads, wait. If it soaks in within a few minutes, the wood is ready. New treated lumber often needs several weeks to a few months, depending on the weather.
Why did the last coating on my deck peel after one winter?
Most often it was a film-forming product put on damp wood or over an old finish. Snow sat on it, water got underneath and the freeze lifted it. The fix is to strip the loose film and use a penetrating stain.
Can you stain my deck in the fall?
Yes, while days are still mild and dry. The wood needs to be dry and the stain needs time to cure before the first frost and before leaves pile up on it. Early fall is safer than late fall here.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.