Decks and fences have a hard life in Michigan. Snow sits on them for months, spring keeps them wet and summer sun dries them out. Stain is what stands between the wood and that cycle.
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?
It costs $1.50 to $4 per square foot to have a deck stained, by the national figures, or $450 to $1,000 for an average deck. The national average is $730.
| Deck size | National range, professional staining |
|---|---|
| 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. Stain and seal alone is $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. With power washing it is $1.00 to $2.50, with power sanding $2.00 to $4.00, and with stripping $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 in this climate. Stain soaks into the wood and wears away gradually. Paint forms a film on top, and on a deck floor that film cracks and peels as the boards swell, shrink and freeze.
Paint lasts longer where it holds. The published figures are 10 to 15 years for deck paint against restaining every 2 to 3 years. But once deck paint starts to peel, fixing it means scraping or stripping. Deck painting costs $2 to $5 per square foot by the national figures. Paint makes most sense on railings, posts and covered porches.
Solid or semi-transparent stain on an old deck?
Use a solid stain on an old, weathered deck. Solid stain hides grey wood, mismatched replacement boards and old stains. Semi-transparent stain shows the grain, so it suits newer wood in good condition.
Solid stain also gives more protection from the sun. The trade-off is that it behaves a little more like paint and can peel on a walking surface if the prep is poor.
How often does a deck need restaining?
A deck needs restaining every 2 to 3 years, by the national published figure. In Michigan, expect the floor boards to need it sooner than the railings.
A quick test is to sprinkle water on the boards. If it beads, the stain is still working. If it soaks in and darkens the wood, it is time.
Can you paint a deck that was previously stained, or stain one that was painted?
A previously stained deck can be painted or restained after cleaning and a light sanding. A previously painted deck cannot be stained until the paint is removed, because stain has to soak into bare wood.
Stripping paint from a deck is slow work. If your deck is already painted and the paint is mostly sound, repainting or a solid stain made to go over old coatings is usually the practical route. Repainting a deck costs $3 to $9 per square foot by the national figures.
Why is my deck stain peeling after a year?
Deck stain is peeling after a year because it could not soak in. The usual reasons are damp wood, a dirty or grey surface, too much stain left sitting on top, or new wood that was sealed by its mill finish.
Stain should go on thin and be worked into the wood. Extra coats do not add protection. They build a film that lifts. The fix is to strip or sand the failed stain, clean the wood, let it dry for several days and apply a thin coat.
How long should I wait before staining a new deck or pressure-treated fence?
Wait until the wood is dry enough to absorb stain. For new pressure-treated lumber that is often several weeks to a few months, depending on the weather and how wet the wood was when it was installed.
Use the water test. Sprinkle water on a board. If it beads, wait. If it soaks in within a few minutes, the wood is ready. Kiln-dried lumber and cedar are ready sooner. A deck built in a Michigan fall is often best stained the following spring.
Can I stain a deck while the wood is damp?
No. Stain needs dry wood. Damp wood is already full of water, so the stain cannot soak in and it sits on the surface, where it peels.
After rain or washing, give the deck at least two dry days, and more in cool or humid weather. Check shaded corners and the gaps between boards, which dry last. Avoid staining in direct midday sun too, because the stain flashes dry before it can soak in.
Should I stain or paint my wood fence?
Stain is usually the better choice for a wood fence. It soaks in, shows less wear and can be recoated without scraping. Paint gives a crisp color but will need scraping and repainting once it starts to peel.
By the national figures, fence painting or staining costs $2 to $14 per linear foot, or $300 to $2,800 in total. For a 6 foot fence the figure is $4 to $9 per linear foot. No lifespan figure is published for fence finishes.
Is an old pine fence worth staining, or should it be replaced?
An old fence is worth staining if the posts are solid and upright and most pickets are sound. It is not worth staining if the posts are rotted at the ground or the fence leans.
Push on each post. In Michigan, frost and wet soil rot pine posts at ground level long before the pickets wear out. If the posts are firm, replace broken pickets, wash the fence and use a solid stain to even out the color. If several posts move, put the money toward a new fence.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (313) 251-3869.