A deck in Michigan sits under snow for months, stays wet through spring and bakes in July. Stain that soaks into the wood copes with that better than a paint film on the floor boards. The wood is washed, left to dry fully and then stained, with paint kept for railings and posts where it holds.
Decks in the Detroit area are mostly pressure-treated pine, with some cedar and composite. Wood decks spend months under snow, stay wet through a long spring and then dry out hard in July. Bare boards turn grey, crack and splinter within a few seasons. A finish that keeps water out is what slows that down, and in this climate it has to be renewed every few years. That is true for a small back stoop in Corktown and a large deck in Rosedale Park alike.
For deck floors, stain is usually the better finish here. It soaks into the wood and wears away gradually, so it can be cleaned and recoated. Paint sits on top as a film, and on a walking surface that freezes and thaws it tends to crack and peel. Paint or solid stain works well on railings, posts, skirting and covered porch floors. Old, weathered boards suit a solid stain, which hides more.
The steps are simple but cannot be rushed. Loose and rotted boards are fixed first. The deck is washed to remove dirt, mildew and grey fibers, then left to dry for at least a couple of dry days. Stain goes on thin and is worked into the wood. New pressure-treated lumber has to dry before it will take stain, so a deck built in the fall is often best stained the next spring.
Deck painting & staining in Detroit: common questions
Should I paint or stain my deck in Michigan?
Stain is the safer choice for the floor boards. It soaks in and does not peel the way a paint film does after freeze and thaw. Paint is fine for railings and posts.
How often does a deck need restaining?
About every two to three years, by national published figures. If water soaks into the boards instead of beading, it is time.
Can you stain a deck right after washing it?
No. The wood has to dry first, usually at least two dry days and longer in cool or humid weather. Stain on damp wood sits on the surface and peels.
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.