Deck & Fence Staining in Chicago, IL
Wood decks and fences cleaned, sanded and stained with oil-based or water-based sealer. We protect the wood, not just color it. Licensed and insured, with a written price before we start.
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Quick Answer
Deck staining in Chicago starts at $499 for a standard deck, and a typical fence runs about $600. The price includes cleaning, sanding, stain application and sealer. Vanguard Painting works across Cook County on decks, fences and exterior wood that needs weather protection.
What You Get When We Stain Your Deck or Fence
Outdoor wood takes a beating. This is the package we bring to every deck and fence in Chicago.
Power washing and deck cleaner remove dirt, mildew and old flaking stain.
Rough spots and splinters knocked down so the stain goes on even.
Rotted or split boards swapped out before staining.
Transparent, semi-transparent or solid. You pick the tone.
Stain absorbs into the wood, sealer locks it in.
Every surface gets stained, not just the flat top.
No stain drips on your concrete or plants.
Standing behind the work and the product.
Deck and Fence Staining Prices in Chicago
Here's where our pricing starts for outdoor wood in Chicago. Size, condition and stain type move the final number. You get that number in writing first.
Not sure which applies? Call (708) 815-7720. Most Chicago deck jobs get priced over the phone in about five minutes.
Chicago Decks and Fences: What Weather Does to Wood
Chicago gets everything: humid summers, freezing winters and rain that turns into ice. Wood takes the worst of it.
Snow and ice damage
Snow sits on deck boards all winter. Salt and ice melt get tracked onto the wood and dry it out. We sand deep and use a penetrating stain that holds up.
Humidity and rot
Chicago humidity gets into fence posts and deck boards. Water stains and rot show up fast. We cut out the damage and seal the rest.
Freeze-thaw cracking
Wood expands in wet weather and contracts when it freezes. Cracks open along the grain. We use a stain that flexes with the wood.
Most Chicago decks get stained every two to three years. We can tell you exactly when your wood needs another coat.
How We Stain Decks and Fences in Chicago
Eight steps, every deck and fence, with the same prep standard on all of them.
Inspect the wood
We check every board for rot, cracks and loose nails before we price it.
Pick a stain color
Transparent, semi-transparent or solid. We bring a sample book.
Power wash clean
Dirt, mildew and old flaking stain removed so the wood is clean.
Smooth rough spots
Splinters and raised grain sanded down flat.
Let the wood dry
We wait for the wood to dry completely before applying anything.
Apply the stain
First coat brushed or sprayed to penetrate the grain.
Apply the sealer
Second coat locks in the color and protects from moisture.
Walkthrough with you
We walk the deck or fence with you and fix anything you spot.
Outdoor Wood Chicago Homeowners Ask Us to Stain
Decks and fences are the biggest jobs, but we stain other outdoor wood too.
Residential decks
Decks attached to homes, from small balconies to large multi-level. Check exterior painting for full home jobs.
Wood fences
Privacy fences, picket fences and perimeter fencing. Both sides stained.
Commercial patios
Restaurant decks, apartment balconies and shared outdoor spaces. See commercial painting for business work.
A Crew That Does Outdoor Wood Right
Deck staining is seasonal work that requires timing. The weather has to be right and the wood has to be dry. We schedule around Chicago's unpredictable forecast so the stain goes on when it's supposed to.
Our shop is at 541 Winston Dr in Melrose Park. We've stained decks in Beverly, Montclare, Edgewater, Portage Park and most other neighborhoods in the city. The prep standard is the same on every one.
Outdoor work often leads to other exterior work. Plenty of Chicago customers add exterior painting or siding painting once we're already on site.
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What Chicago Deck Owners Complain About, and What They Get
Almost every deck call opens with one of these. Here's the cause on the left, and here's what the deck looks like when we finish.
The problem
UV rays and rain turn deck boards gray and dry. The wood starts to splinter.
Cheap stain and no sealer means the color flakes off after one season.
Shaded fence panels hold moisture and grow mildew that stains the wood.
What you get
Power washed and sanded, then stained with penetrating color that brings the grain back.
Two coats: stain plus sealer. It holds up through Chicago winters.
Cleaned and treated so the mildew doesn't come back in the same season.
True on every Chicago deck and fence job we take:
What Chicago Decks and Fences Look Like When We Finish
Wood that looks protected, not just colored. Deep stain, even coverage and a clean yard.
What Chicago Customers Say After We Stain Their Deck
Most of our Chicago deck work comes from homeowners who waited too long to stain. Read what they said about the process.
Other Painting Work We Do Around Chicago
Deck and fence staining is one part of what we do. The same crew handles the rest.
Exterior painting
Brick, siding and trim. See exterior painting in Chicago.
Siding painting
Wood, vinyl and cement siding. Check siding painting.
Brick painting
Brick homes and commercial buildings. See brick painting Chicago.
Garage painting
Garage exteriors and doors. Check garage painting.
Need work across the county? We cover all Cook County, and everything we do in the city sits on the Chicago painting page.
Deck and Fence Staining in Chicago, IL: Common Questions
How much does deck staining cost in Chicago, IL?
How long does it take to stain a deck in Chicago?
When is the best time to stain a deck in Chicago?
What's the difference between transparent and solid stain?
How often should I stain my deck in Chicago?
Do you replace damaged deck boards?
Can you stain a fence in Chicago with privacy?
Is Vanguard Painting licensed and insured?
Get Your Chicago Deck or Fence Stained the Right Way
Free estimate, a real written price, licensed and insured. Book online and take $50 off.