A deck in Madison spends months under snow, gets soaked by spring melt, and then bakes in July sun. The finish you choose determines how often you'll be refinishing it.
1. Semi-Transparent Stain
Shows the natural grain and soaks into the wood rather than forming a film. It wears gradually instead of peeling, which makes recoating easy. Expect to refresh every two to three years.
2. Solid Stain
Offers more color and UV protection while still letting texture show. It forms a thin film, so prep before recoating is a bit more involved.
3. Deck Paint
Paint covers worn or mismatched boards and offers the most color choice. But on horizontal surfaces, foot traffic and standing water can cause peeling, and repainting requires more scraping.
4. What We Usually Recommend
For most Dane County decks, a quality penetrating or semi-transparent stain on floors, with solid stain or paint on railings, balances looks and maintenance. Read our guide to the best paints and stains for outdoor wood.
5. Refresh Your Deck
Our decks and fences service covers cleaning, repairs and finishing. Request a free estimate.