Wood-First Mindset
We treat the wood as the foundation of every deck project, not as a surface to cover up. Repairs, sanding, and prep happen before any color goes on.
Most “deck refresh” jobs you see online involve someone power washing the wood, slapping on a fresh coat of stain, and calling it done. Then six months later, the stain peels, the wood looks gray again, and the homeowner is back where they started. Real deck restoration takes longer because the wood itself needs work, not just the surface.
Our crew approaches every deck like the structural piece of your home it actually is. We assess board condition before the cleaning even starts. We replace damaged boards. We sand the wood smooth. We choose the right stain or sealer for the species and exposure. By the time we’re finished, your deck looks like a deck again, not a tired patio that nobody wants to use.
What makes our deck work different:
Every deck project is different. Some homeowners need a full restoration on a deck that’s been neglected for a decade. Others have a newer deck that just needs the right finish. Here’s a look at the deck work we take on most often.
A complete revival for older decks that need real attention. Cleaning, board repairs, sanding, and refinishing to bring weathered wood back to its original character.
For decks already in good shape that need a fresh stain coat and sealer. Cleaning, light sanding, and stain application to refresh color and protect the wood.
Sometimes a deck just needs a deep clean and a brightening treatment to look like new again. Best for decks where the wood is still solid but the surface has gone gray.
Cracked, splintered, or rotted boards replaced and blended into the rest of the deck before refinishing. Common in decks that are 8 to 15 years old.
Brand new decks that need their first proper sealer and stain. Getting this stage right adds years to the deck’s lifespan.
The detailed parts of a deck that often get skipped or rushed. We give railings, balusters, and stair risers the same care as the deck surface itself.
Pergolas, gazebos, arbors, and other freestanding wood structures refinished to match the main deck or the home’s exterior.
Concrete patios and pool decks that need refinishing or new coating systems. Different products and techniques than wood, but the same level of prep care.
Decks are one of the most abused surfaces on a home. They sit outdoors year-round, get walked on daily, and absorb everything Seattle weather throws at them. Restoring a deck properly takes more time and care than most homeowners realize, and we’ve built our process specifically around the realities of deck work in this climate.
We treat the wood as the foundation of every deck project, not as a surface to cover up. Repairs, sanding, and prep happen before any color goes on.
Cedar, pressure-treated pine, redwood, and exotic hardwoods all need different stains and sealers. We match the product to the species, not the other way around.
Stain absorbs differently in different conditions. We schedule application during the right humidity and temperature windows so the finish actually penetrates and bonds.
Some decks are worth restoring. Some are too far gone and need replacement. We tell you the truth either way, even when it means we don’t get the project.
Honest assessment. Real prep. Stained finishes that hold up to Pacific Northwest seasons.
A specialist visits your property, walks the deck thoroughly, checks board condition, examines structural integrity, and discusses your color and finish preferences. You receive a clear written quote covering cleaning, repairs, sanding, and finishing work.
Old stain, sealer, mildew, and surface grime get removed using the right combination of cleaners and brighteners for your wood. Pressure washing alone is not enough on most older decks.
Damaged, cracked, or rotted boards get replaced and blended in. Loose nails get reset or swapped for proper deck screws. Splinters and rough spots get addressed before sanding begins.
Every deck restoration project includes sanding the surface to remove gray weathered fibers, even out the wood texture, and create a clean surface for the stain to absorb properly.
Premium stain and sealer applied during the right weather window, allowing proper penetration into the wood. Most decks get two coats with adequate dry time between applications.
Once the finish has cured, we walk the deck with you, inspect every board and railing, and review care instructions for the specific products used. Your deck is ready for years of use.
A Pacific Northwest classic. Naturally rot-resistant and rich in tannins, but the wood goes silver-gray quickly without proper care. Needs gentle cleaning and stains formulated specifically for cedar.
The most common deck material on Seattle-area homes. Durable when properly maintained, but the chemical treatment requires fully dry, weathered wood before staining. Newer pressure-treated decks may need to wait six months or more before their first stain.
Beautiful, naturally rot-resistant, and increasingly rare. Redwood needs gentler cleaners and oil-based stains that honor the wood’s natural character.
Dense, oily, and gorgeous, but extremely demanding. These woods need specialized penetrating oils and sealers because traditional stains simply won’t absorb. Most deck companies refuse to work with hardwoods. We don’t.
Trex, TimberTech, and similar composite decks usually don’t need staining, but they can be cleaned, restored, or refinished in some cases. We assess each deck honestly before recommending any treatment.
Concrete patios and stone surfaces around pools, hot tubs, or outdoor entertaining areas. These need different products entirely, but we handle them with the same prep care as wood.
Tell us about your deck, and we'll handle every step, from the first cleaning pass to the final coat of stain.
Walking into a paint store and asking for “deck stain” gives you about fifty options. Each one performs differently, lasts a different amount of time, and gives the wood a completely different look. The right choice depends on the wood species, sun exposure, foot traffic, and how often you want to redo the project. Our team helps you pick the right one for your deck.
Show the most natural wood grain and color. Beautiful on cedar, redwood, and high-end hardwoods. The trade-off is shorter lifespan, usually one to two years between recoats.
The most popular choice for Pacific Northwest decks. Adds visible color tone while still letting the wood grain show through. Typically lasts two to four years before needing a refresh.
More pigment than semi-transparent, less than solid. Hides minor imperfections while keeping some grain visible. A good middle-ground option for decks with mixed wood condition.
Acts more like an opaque paint. Hides imperfections, splits, and color variation completely. Lasts longest of any stain type, often four to seven years, but covers the natural wood grain entirely.
The right choice for tropical hardwoods and naturally oily species. Oils don’t form a film on the surface, so they wear gracefully without peeling. Annual reapplication is common but easy.
Pure water repellent with no color. Best on new decks where you want to protect the wood without changing its appearance. Usually paired with annual reapplication.
Deck restoration pricing varies more than most painting projects because the wood condition plays such a large role. A two-year-old deck that needs a fresh stain is a different project than a fifteen-year-old deck with rotted boards, gray weathered surfaces, and failing railings. Our quotes reflect what your specific deck actually requires, not a flat per-square-foot guess.
What shapes your deck restoration quote:
What a good deck estimate should look like:
A clear written scope covering cleaning, repairs, sanding, and finishing work. A list of materials being used, including the specific stain product. A timeline that accounts for proper drying between stages. And no vague charges hiding behind the wood replacement line.
Not every deck is worth restoring. Some are. The honest answer depends on the condition of the structural framing underneath, the percentage of boards needing replacement, and how much usable life is realistically left in the wood. Spending money to restore a deck that needs to be rebuilt in two years is a frustrating outcome we work hard to prevent.
Restoration usually makes sense when:
Replacement is usually the better call when:
Our deck specialists work throughout King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties on restoration projects of every size. Most of our deck work happens in Bellevue, Bothell, Seattle, Kirkland, and Redmond, but we travel anywhere in the region for the right project.
Most full deck restoration projects run three to six working days, depending on size, wood condition, and weather. Smaller projects like simple staining without major repairs can wrap in two to three days. Deck size, repair scope, and stain dry time all factor into the timeline.
In the Seattle climate, semi-transparent stains typically need refreshing every two to four years. Solid stains can last four to seven years. Tropical hardwoods finished with penetrating oils usually need attention every twelve months. Sun exposure and foot traffic both affect timing
That depends on the wood condition and the structural framing. We give honest assessments during the on-site visit. If your deck has solid bones and only cosmetic issues, restoration is almost always the better value. If the framing or joists are compromised, we’ll tell you straight.
Yes. Board replacement is included as part of every full restoration project. We replace damaged or rotted boards, blend them into the existing deck, and stain everything together for a uniform finished look.
Cleaning removes dirt, mildew, pollen, and surface grime. Stripping removes old stain or sealer that’s still bonded to the wood. Most deck restoration projects need both, and we use different products for each step depending on what’s already on the deck.
Most new decks need to wait before staining. Pressure-treated wood is usually too wet from the chemical treatment process and needs three to six months of drying time before staining. We can assess moisture levels during a visit and recommend the right timing for your specific deck.
We schedule deck projects around weather windows whenever possible. If rain hits during the cleaning or repair stage, the project simply pauses and resumes when conditions improve. If rain threatens the stain application stage, we delay applying until we have a reliable dry window so the finish bonds properly.
Annual sweeping, occasional gentle cleaning, and avoiding harsh chemicals on the surface will keep your deck looking great. We provide specific care instructions for the products we used on your project, and we can come back for periodic touch-ups before a full re-stain becomes necessary.
Got a deck that’s seen better days, or a newer deck that needs the right finish to keep it that way? Request a quote and one of our deck specialists will visit your property, assess the wood honestly, and give you a clear plan and price you can build around.