Deck Sealing vs Staining
Rated 4.9 stars across 450+ Google reviews. Serving North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Backed by our 25-year transferable warranty.
The honest difference
Stain is mostly a color product. It puts pigment on or near the surface of the wood and, depending on the product and your sun exposure, it typically needs to be redone every two to three years. Sealing, the way we do it, is a penetrating treatment that soaks into the wood to block moisture and UV damage. It is not a stain and not a top coat.
We do not add color
Be clear on this before you call: we are not a stain shop. If your goal is to change the color of your deck, a staining contractor is the right choice. If your goal is for the wood to stop deteriorating and to stop repeating the project, that is what we do.
Recoats vs one application
| Staining | DuraSeal penetrating sealer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical interval | Every 2–3 years | One application |
| Warranty | Usually a short workmanship period | 25 years, transferable |
| Adds color | Yes | No |
| Can peel or flake | Film-forming products can | No film to peel |
Cost over time
On our pricing page we publish that most wood projects fall between $2,000 and $6,000 for a one-time DuraSeal application. A restain is a smaller number each time, but it is a number you pay again every two to three years for as long as you own the deck. Over 25 years, the arithmetic is not close.
Why homeowners switch
- They are tired of scheduling the same job every other spring.
- They want a warranty that transfers if they sell the house.
- They want the wood protected, not just recolored.
Get a real number for your deck
Serving NC, SC, GA and FL.