# Deck Staining Fort Collins | Fort Collins Deck Contractors > Deck staining in Fort Collins: cleaning, staining and sealing wood decks. A typical 16 by 20 deck runs $700 to $2,000 with light sanding included. URL: https://fortcollinsdeckcontractors.com/deck-staining-and-sealing/ - Free estimates - Wood or composite - Fort Collins and nearby towns # Deck staining in Fort Collins brings color back to wood the weather has turned gray Fort Collins Deck Contractors [/ →](/) cleans, stains and seals wood decks for homes in Fort Collins and nearby towns. A gray deck has lost its color to the weather at the surface, and stain brings the color back. Get Your FREE Estimate [#estimate →](#estimate) See prices [#pricing →](#pricing) ![Freshly stained wood deck and railing behind a Fort Collins home](/images/misc/freshly-stained-honey-brown-wood-deck-and-railing-.webp) ## What deck staining does A gray deck has lost its color to the weather at the surface, and stain brings the color back. Deck staining and sealing in Fort Collins is mostly that: taking a deck that has gone silver-gray and giving it its color again. We clean the deck and put on a penetrating stain or a clear sealer. Fort Collins sits at roughly 5,000 feet, so the sun is strong up here. Your deck takes a lot of it. Here’s how the three finishes differ: - **Penetrating stain:** soaks into the wood instead of sitting on top of it. - **Semi-transparent stain:** a penetrating stain with color in it, so the grain still shows through. - **Clear water-repellent sealer:** goes on without adding color. ## Cleaning and light sanding Stain goes on clean wood. We clean the deck first, then give it a light sanding where the boards need it, so the stain soaks in evenly. Light sanding is included in the price for a typical deck. Wet wood won’t take stain well. Most deck pros give a cleaned deck a day or two to dry before staining. Here’s a quick test you can try yourself. Sprinkle a little water on a board. If it soaks in within about 30 seconds, the wood is ready. If it beads up, the deck needs more time. ## When an old finish has failed Paint and solid stains tend to peel on a surface you walk on. If a deck has an old finish that’s peeling, it has to be stripped before a penetrating stain can go on. Stripping a failed finish runs above the usual staining price. We’ll tell you at the estimate if your deck needs it, so there are no surprises later. ## Penetrating stain needs a fresh coat every few years A penetrating finish needs a fresh coat every few years. That’s normal for a wood deck. Because there’s no film sitting on top, penetrating stain wears away thin instead of peeling, which makes the next coat much easier. How long yours lasts depends on the sun. A deck that bakes in afternoon light wears faster than one with shade. Each new coat goes on the same way: 1. Clean the deck. 2. Sand lightly where needed. 3. Stain. ## Boards that need more than stain Stain brings back color, but it doesn’t fix a split board or a loose railing. If we see boards that have checked and split, or a railing that moves, we’ll point them out. Those are deck repair [/deck-repair/ →](/deck-repair/) work, and it makes sense to fix them before the stain goes on. To read more about the gray color itself, see our guide on why a deck turns gray [/guide/why-a-deck-turns-gray/ →](/guide/why-a-deck-turns-gray/) . If you’re planning a new wood deck, see wood and cedar decks [/wood-and-cedar-decks/ →](/wood-and-cedar-decks/) . Ready to bring your deck’s color back? Ask us for an estimate and we’ll tell you exactly what your deck needs. ## What deck staining costs around Fort Collins Priced for cleaning and staining a typical deck of about 16 by 20 feet, with light sanding included. ### Clean and stain a typical deck $700 to $2,000 Cleaning, light sanding and a penetrating stain or clear sealer on a typical 16 by 20 deck. If an old finish has failed and has to be stripped first, the job runs above this range. Get Your FREE Estimate [#estimate →](#estimate) ![](/images/misc/silver-gray-weathered-wood-deck-boards-in-bright-c.webp) ## Why decks around here go gray A deck lies flat under the sun, snow and rain, and flat wood like a deck is often the hardest hit. Fort Collins sits nearly a mile up, and the sun is stronger here than at sea level. A gray deck has lost its color to the weather at the surface, and stain brings color back. A penetrating stain suits a deck; paint and solid stains tend to peel on a surface you walk on. A penetrating stain needs refreshing every few years. Fort Collins designated landmarks need the city's design review before most exterior work, even painting. Gray weathered wood deck boards before staining ## How we stain a deck Clean wood first, then the finish. 1. 1 ### Send the estimate form Tell us about the deck and the color you'd like, or send a few words about the finish on it now. 2. 2 ### We look at the deck We check the boards and the old finish, and talk about stain color or a clear sealer. 3. 3 ### You get a written estimate The estimate covers cleaning, light sanding and the stain or sealer, in writing. 4. 4 ### We clean and stain The deck gets cleaned, lightly sanded, and a penetrating stain or a clear sealer goes on. ![Penetrating stain being brushed along a deck board](/images/misc/penetrating-deck-stain-being-brushed-along-the-gra.webp) ## Deck Staining and Sealing cost and planning questions ### Is it better to seal or stain a deck? A clear water-repellent sealer and a penetrating stain both protect a deck, but only stain brings color back to wood that has gone gray. Paint and solid stains tend to peel on a surface you walk on, so a penetrating finish suits a deck, and it needs a fresh coat every few years. ### How much should it cost to sand and stain a deck? Cleaning and staining a typical 16 by 20 deck runs $700 to $2,000, with light sanding included. If an old finish has failed and has to be stripped first, the job runs above that range. ## Staining and Sealing guides ![](/images/featured/silver-gray-weathered-wood-deck-behind-a-frame-hou.webp) ### Why a Deck Turns Gray, and What Stain Brings Back A gray deck has lost its color to the weather at the surface. Stain brings it back, and a penetrating stain needs refreshing every few years. Read the guide → [Why a Deck Turns Gray, and What Stain Brings Back →](/guide/why-a-deck-turns-gray/) ## Related services ### Wood and Cedar Decks Pressure-treated and cedar decks. Wood and cedar decks→ [Wood and Cedar Decks →](/wood-and-cedar-decks/) ### Deck Repair Loose or split boards, wobbly railings, tired stairs, posts and the board that fastens the deck to the house, on the deck that's already there. Deck repair→ [Deck Repair →](/deck-repair/) ![Stained wood deck with stairs behind an older Fort Collins bungalow](/images/misc/stained-wood-deck-with-stairs-to-the-yard-behind-a.webp) ## Has your deck gone gray? Send the form and tell us about the deck. We'll look at the wood and the old finish and put the estimate in writing. - Free estimates - Wood or composite - Fort Collins and nearby towns ## Get Your FREE Estimate Tell us about your deck and where it is, and we will put together your estimate. Thanks, we got your request. We'll be in touch about your estimate.