Deck & Fence Protection That Breathes, Not Traps

Stop watching deck paint peel. Choose breathable stains that last 5-7 years with easy recoating—not scraping and repainting.

Professional deck and fence staining in Baldwin County
Expert deck and fence staining — Baldwin County

Tired of deck paint peeling after 2-3 years? Paint traps moisture inside wood, causing rot, blistering, and endless maintenance. Stain penetrates wood and allows it to breathe—healthier wood, easier upkeep.

💧 Moisture Testing
🍃 Breathable Stains
🛠 Rot Repair
☀ UV Protection
✅ 5-7 Year Lifespan
Free Deck Assessment Text Photos for Quote

Paint vs. Stain: The Honest Comparison

Stain lasts less but is easier to maintain. Paint lasts longer but peels. For Alabama's humidity, we recommend stain.

Factor Paint (Acrylic) Solid Stain Semi-Transparent
Longevity 7-10 years 5-7 years 3-5 years
Failure Mode Peels, cracks, chips Fades gradually Fades gradually
Maintenance Scrape, sand, repaint Clean, re-stain Clean, re-stain
Moisture Traps (rot risk) Breathes Breathes best
Slip Resistance Slippery when wet Good grip Best grip
Wood Grain Hidden Partially visible Fully visible
Our recommendation: For Alabama's humid coastal climate, solid or semi-transparent stain is the best choice. Stain breathes—moisture escapes instead of causing rot and peeling.

Choose Your Stain Type

From natural wood enhancement to full coverage—each has its place.

Clear / Natural

0% opaque • 100% grain visible
⏰ 1-3 years

Enhances natural color without adding pigment. Just UV blockers and sealant. Fastest fading.

Best for: Brand-new cedar, teak, exotic hardwoods

Semi-Transparent

10-30% opaque • 70-90% grain visible
⏰ 3-5 years

Light pigment shows wood grain clearly. Natural wood tones. Fades evenly without peeling.

Best for: Decks & fences in good condition, natural look

Solid Stain

90-100% opaque • Grain hidden
⏰ 5-7 years

Heavy pigment covers grain, hides imperfections. Any color available. Longest lasting.

Best for: Weathered/gray decks, specific colors desired

Why Deck Paint Peels in 2-3 Years

Three common failures that destroy deck paint jobs. We prevent all of them.

💧
Painted Wet Wood
Contractor painted 1-2 days after pressure washing. Wood still had 20-25% moisture—trapped under paint.
Our fix: Moisture meter testing. Must be <15% before staining. Wait 5-14 days after washing.
☀
Painted Gray Wood
Wood left unfinished turns gray (UV damage). Paint bonds to degraded fibers, not solid wood.
Our fix: Sand or brighten to remove gray layer. Stain fresh wood underneath.
🛠
Skipped Primer
Bare wood absorbs paint unevenly. First coat soaks in, second coat bonds poorly.
Our fix: Oil-based primer on bare wood before paint (if paint is chosen).

Fence: Stain or Paint?

Fences face unique challenges: ground contact, vertical rain runoff, full sun exposure.

✅ Why We Recommend Stain

  • Penetrates wood (becomes part of wood, not separate layer)
  • Moisture can escape (reduces rot risk at ground level)
  • Fades gradually (no ugly peeling)
  • Easy maintenance (clean and recoat every 3-7 years)
  • Highlights natural wood grain (rustic look)

❌ When to Paint Instead

  • You want specific color (white picket fence aesthetic)
  • Fence is composite/vinyl (paint bonds better than stain)
  • Fence is in covered area (minimal moisture exposure)
  • You're willing to scrape and repaint every 7-10 years
⚠ Rotted Boards? Don't Stain Over Them

Stain protects wood—it doesn't fix rot. We replace rotted boards (primed on all 6 sides) before staining. Small repair (5-10 boards): $300-$600. Cheaper than replacing the whole fence in 5 years.

Low-Maintenance Stain Schedule

No annual recoating needed. Here's what to expect.

Year 1

Do Nothing

Enjoy your deck. Stain is curing and protecting.

Year 2-4

Annual Spring Cleaning

Sweep, spray with deck cleaner, rinse. Check for fading on south/west sides. Spot-recoat high-traffic areas if needed.

Year 3-5

Semi-Transparent Recoat

Clean thoroughly, let dry 5-7 days, apply one coat. No sanding needed. Total time: 1-2 days.

Year 5-7

Solid Stain Recoat

Clean, light scuff-sand if glossy, apply one coat. Total time: 1-2 days.

Signs It's Time to Recoat

💧
Water Doesn't Bead

Pour water on deck. If it soaks in immediately, protection is gone.

🌈
Color Has Faded

Especially on sun-exposed south/west sides.

🪴
Wood Looks Dry/Gray

Stain has worn off, wood is exposed to UV.

Our Deck & Fence Staining Process

Prep determines 60% of success. Here's exactly what we do.

1

Assessment

Inspect for rot, splinters, loose boards. Moisture test.

2

Repairs

Replace rotted boards. Prime all 6 sides before install.

3

Clean & Brighten

Low-pressure wash (1,200-1,500 PSI). Deck brightener for gray wood.

4

Dry Time

5-14 days depending on weather. Moisture <15%.

5

Sand (If Needed)

Smooth raised grain, remove splinters.

6

Stain

1-2 coats. Brush, roll, or spray. 24-48hr dry time.

Deck & Fence FAQ

What Deck & Fence Customers Say

Paint Doctors told us NOT to paint our deck—recommended solid stain instead. 6 years later, still looks great. Best advice ever.
Jennifer M. Fairhope • 6 years holding
They replaced 15 rotted fence boards before staining. Most contractors would've just stained over them. Honest and professional.
David R. Daphne • Fence Restoration
Our deck was gray and weathered. They brightened it, sanded it, and applied semi-transparent stain. Looks brand new and the grain shows beautifully.
Lisa S. Spanish Fort • Semi-Transparent

Ready to Protect Your Deck & Fence?

Stop painting and watching it peel. Get a breathable stain that lasts 5-7 years with easy recoating—no scraping required.

Call (251) 423-5855 Text Photos for Quote

Free assessment. Moisture testing. Rotted board replacement.

Call Now Text Us