The prices for our services were matched with local competitors and then dropped by an average of 15% For example: Pressure washing of vinyl siding for this area of the country averages at .22 cents a square foot. We have set our price at a competetive .15 cents per square foot. Of course every project will vary, but be assured WE DO NOT PRICE GAUGE!

This question often comes up for unseasoned treated lumber. There is a water test that can help you determine the answer. Put some water on an area of your deck, if the water seeps in after about 10 minutes, then the stain will too. Watch this video.

DECK FINISHES
Deck finishes fall into two categories:
Sealers & Stains
Both are formulated to seal out the elements. As their name implies, clear sealers are nonpigmented finishes. Stains are available with a little pigmentation (referred to on the label as "tone"), semitransparent, and in solid colors. Unlike paints, which form a surface film, clear and pigmented finishes penetrate the wood and can stand up to foot traffic.

In general all deck stains are sealers as well as they will help prevent water absorption. Deck sealers typically are not stains as they do not have any pigment. Some though may have a very light tint.

Stain will give the deck color and provide protection from the sun’s UV rays. Stains will naturally help prevent the wood from water absorption. These things are accomplished through the pigment in the stain. Some will add mildewcide, to help thwart mold and mildew growth.

Just other names for a sealant! Sealant will protect the wood from water damage and add little UV protection. Some products waterproof only. Others will add mildewcide to help thwart mold and mildew growth. Clear sealants usually will have to be applied yearly for maximum results, otherwise the deck will turn gray.
A good deck finish should do three things:

1. Repel water
2. Preserve the wood with a mildewcide
3. Screens out UV rays

These days the water based formulas have been radically changed and are becoming more common as laws in many states are restricting the use of oil based because of the vapors they release into the ozone. Oils penetrate a bit better but often promote the growth of mold and mildew. Today’s water based stains penetrate nearly as well as oil with less chance of mold or mildew growth and are environmentally friendly.

The problem with painting a deck is that most deck surfaces are horizontal, so the paint just "lays" on the deck. As a result, those areas hold water. Painting, or using a solid-color stain with no sealer, will only help trap that moisture in the wood. So, as your deck boards expand and contract with variations in temperatures and weather conditions, paint begins to chip and you end up with peeling paint, rotting wood and other potential problems. A quality stain and sealer, though, penetrates the wood grain to seal it, while also allowing moisture to escape from the wood. It won't chip, peel or crack as the deck wood swells and shrinks. The more tinting the stain has, the better protected your deck will be from fading and moisture.

Lightly pigmented and semitransparent finishes add color to the deck while allowing some of the grain to show through; they also form an effective UV barrier. The more pigment the finish has, the better it is at blocking UV rays. That's why a semitransparent deck finish will last up to three years or more before another application is needed. So we recommend a semitransparent stain with a sealant built in; that is, if your deck can be stripped, washed or sanded back to a natural wood condition made ready to accept the new stain. If your deck is in bad shape, or has been treated with solid paint or stain, we will have to further evaluate.