Fountain, CO · El Paso County

Deck & Fence Staining in Fountain

The short answer

Deck & Fence Staining in Fountain, CO: Stripping, cleaning and brightening before anything is applied, and honest guidance on which decks are past coating.

What it costs: Generally 3 to 7 dollars per square foot depending on whether the old coating strips easily, how much railing there is, and the board condition. Railings and balusters cost more per square foot than decking because they are almost all edges. Board replacement is quoted separately.
What is included: Stripping failed coating, or sanding where stripping is not appropriate; Cleaning and brightening to restore pH and open the grain; Replacing rotted or split boards and resetting popped fasteners; Stain matched to the exposure and to what the wood will still accept; Railings, balusters and fascia included rather than quoted as an extra; Fences done section by section with the same preparation.
Where we work: Fountain and the surrounding El Paso County, including Cross Creek, Countryside, Ventana.
Getting a quote: Free and no obligation. Call (719) 963-7440 or request a quote online.

A horizontal wood surface at 6,000 feet takes more punishment than any other part of a house. It gets UV all day, standing snow all winter, and foot traffic on top. Stain on a deck simply does not last as long as paint on a wall, and any company promising otherwise is setting up a complaint. What determines whether you get three good years or one is entirely what happens before the stain goes on.

What this means in Fountain specifically

Siding and paint substrates here

Older sections carry painted wood and hardboard siding at an age where substrate repair is part of any honest paint quote. Newer subdivisions are vinyl and stucco needing trim work only.

Snow load and ice damming

Lowest elevation in our El Paso County coverage at roughly 5,550 feet, so snow melts fastest here. Load is rarely the concern; wind-driven rain against low-slope additions is more often the source of leaks.

Wind exposure

Strong downslope winds combined with an exposed position south of the Springs. Wind-driven rain against west elevations finds gaps in flashing and siding that a still-air roof would never reveal.

Fountain sits at approximately 5,546 feet.

What is included

Stripping failed coating, or sanding where stripping is not appropriate
Cleaning and brightening to restore pH and open the grain
Replacing rotted or split boards and resetting popped fasteners
Stain matched to the exposure and to what the wood will still accept
Railings, balusters and fascia included rather than quoted as an extra
Fences done section by section with the same preparation

How we do it

1
Assess whether it is worth coating
Some decks are past it. Widespread checking, soft boards and split ends mean the honest answer is board replacement or rebuild, and stain on a failing deck is money spent making it look briefly better.
2
Strip and clean
Old coating off, mildew and graying removed. This is the majority of the labor and it is the step that gets skipped on a cheap quote.
3
Brighten and let it dry
A brightener neutralizes the cleaner and reopens the grain so stain penetrates instead of sitting on top. Then the wood has to dry properly — staining damp wood is the most common cause of premature failure.
4
Apply to refusal
Penetrating stain goes on until the wood stops taking it, then excess is wiped. Stain left sitting on the surface forms a film, and film on a walking surface peels.

What it costs

Generally 3 to 7 dollars per square foot depending on whether the old coating strips easily, how much railing there is, and the board condition. Railings and balusters cost more per square foot than decking because they are almost all edges. Board replacement is quoted separately.

We quote Fountain properties before starting, and the number you hear is the number you pay. If something on site changes the scope, you hear about it before we do the work rather than on the invoice.

Neighborhoods we serve in Fountain

Cross Creek, Countryside, Ventana, and everywhere else in Fountain.

Fully Insured

Free Photo-Documented Inspection

Written Scope Before You Sign

Locally Owned & Operated

Decks & Fences questions from Fountain

How often does a deck need re-staining in Colorado?

Horizontal surfaces every 2 to 3 years, vertical surfaces like railings and fences considerably longer. UV at this elevation is roughly 25 percent more intense than at sea level, and the snow that sits on a deck for weeks is harder on a coating than rain that runs off.

Solid stain, semi-transparent, or clear?

Solid lasts longest and hides grain entirely, and once you go solid you are effectively committed, because getting back is a stripping job. Semi-transparent shows the wood and needs more frequent renewal. Clear sealers give the least UV protection of the three despite what the name suggests.

Can you stain a new deck right away?

Not usually. New pressure-treated lumber often carries too much mill glaze and moisture to accept stain, and typically needs several months to weather. Staining it too early is the most common reason a new deck fails within a year. Cedar and redwood are more forgiving.

My deck is graying. Is it ruined?

No. Graying is UV breaking down surface lignin and it is cosmetic. A cleaner and brightener will bring the color back on wood that is otherwise sound. Soft spots and splitting are the real problems, and those are different.

Related work in Fountain

Often booked together

Decks & Fences in nearby communities

All painting in Fountain →Everything we do in Fountain →