Staining a deck costs $1.50 to $4 per square foot in 2026 by national published figures, or $450 to $1,000 for an average deck. Sun at 4,300 feet, dry air and winter snow make decks and fences here age faster than in milder places.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Local labor, paint prices and the condition of your own surfaces move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
How much does it cost to stain a deck?
Nationally it costs $450 to $1,000 to stain a deck, with a national average of $730. By size, HomeGuide lists these professional prices.
| Deck size | National range |
|---|---|
| 10 x 10 | $157 to $404 |
| 12 x 12 | $226 to $582 |
| 12 x 16 | $301 to $775 |
| 12 x 20 | $376 to $969 |
| 16 x 16 | $401 to $1,034 |
| 20 x 20 | $628 to $1,616 |
The method changes the price more than the size. Stain and seal only is $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. Power wash, stain and seal is $1.00 to $2.50. Sanding first is $2.00 to $4.00, and stripping an old finish first is $2.50 to $5.50. Railings are $4 to $12 per linear foot.
Should I paint or stain my deck?
Stain is the better choice for most decks here. It soaks into the wood and wears away gradually. Paint forms a film on top, and on a walking surface that goes through freeze and thaw, the film cracks and peels.
Deck paint does give a solid color and can hide a rough old surface. HomeGuide lists deck painting at $2 to $5 per square foot. If you choose paint, expect to scrape and recoat failed spots.
Solid or semi-transparent stain on an old deck?
Solid stain is usually right for an old deck. It hides grey, mismatched and repaired boards and blocks the most sun. Semi-transparent stain shows the grain and looks best on newer wood in good shape.
The more pigment a stain has, the better it resists our sun. Clear sealers give the least protection and need redoing most often.
How often does a deck need restaining?
A deck needs restaining every 2 to 3 years by the national published figure. A deck in full sun on the west side of a valley house can need it sooner.
Sprinkle water on the boards. If it soaks in instead of beading, it is time. Rails and steps often outlast the floor boards and can skip a round.
Can you paint a deck that was previously stained, or stain one that was painted?
A deck that was previously stained can be painted or coated with solid stain once it is clean and any loose finish is removed. Going the other way is harder. A deck that was already painted cannot take a penetrating stain until all the paint is stripped or sanded off.
Stripping paint from deck boards is slow. HomeGuide lists strip, stain and seal at $2.50 to $5.50 per square foot. A solid stain over well-prepped old paint is the practical middle path.
Why is my deck stain peeling after a year?
Deck stain is peeling because it sat on the surface instead of soaking in. The usual causes are damp wood, a second heavy coat, stain put over an old film, or stain put on hot boards in direct sun.
Film-forming products fail fastest here because snow sits on them for weeks. The fix is to remove what is loose, sand, and switch to a penetrating stain applied thinly.
How long should I wait before staining a new deck or pressure-treated fence?
Wait until the wood is dry enough to absorb water. Pressure-treated lumber is sold wet and needs time to dry out, often several weeks to a few months. A new deck of kiln-dried or cedar boards can often be stained much sooner.
Use the water test. Drops that soak in within a few minutes mean the wood is ready. Wood dries faster in our climate than the label may assume, but do not leave new wood bare through a whole summer.
Can I stain a deck while the wood is damp?
No. Damp wood cannot take in stain, so the stain dries on top and peels. Let the deck dry fully after rain or washing.
In warm dry weather here that is often two sunny days. In spring, or on a shaded north side deck, allow longer. Morning dew matters too, so we start once the boards are dry.
Should I stain or paint my wood fence?
Stain it. Stain soaks into rough fence boards, does not peel and is easy to recoat. Paint on a rough cedar or pine fence peels within a few years and is very hard to scrape between pickets.
Nationally, painting or staining a fence costs $2 to $14 per linear foot, or $200 to $1,400 for 100 feet. Keep sprinklers off the fence. They do more harm to the finish and the wood than the weather does.
Is an old pine fence worth staining or should it be replaced?
An old fence is worth staining only if the posts are solid. Push each post at the top. If most stand firm and the pickets are sound, washing and a solid stain will give it more years.
If posts rock or have rotted at the ground, or many pickets are split, put the money toward repair or a new fence. Stain does not strengthen wood.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (801) 618-4881.