Exterior Staining

Ontario weather is brutal on outdoor wood. We pressure-wash, brighten, and properly prep every surface before applying Sherwin-Williams Cabot stain in the finish that suits the wood — a transparent or semi-transparent stain that shows off good grain, or a semi-solid or solid colour that hides weathering and old repairs.

How we do it

1. 1

   Power wash

   Remove dirt, mildew, and old failing stain with a controlled-pressure wash.

2. 2

   Brighten & neutralize

   Two-step deck cleaner restores the wood's natural pH and opens the grain.

3. 3

   Sand & repair

   Spot-sand splintered boards, set popped nails, and point out any rotted boards that need replacing before we stain.

4. 4

   Apply stain

   Two coats of Sherwin-Williams Cabot stain, brushed and back-rolled into the grain.

5. 5

   Clean & inspect

   Yard left spotless and a written care plan so the finish lasts as long as possible.

Why choose us

• Four Cabot finishes, from transparent to solid colour, and an honest steer on which suits your wood
• Honest assessment: we'll tell you if your deck needs replacement boards before any stain goes on
• Booked in the right weather window for proper cure
• Plants and lawn protected throughout

Common questions

When is the best time of year to stain a deck in Ontario?

Late spring through early fall, when temperatures are steady and you can count on a dry stretch for the stain to cure. We book jobs into the right weather window rather than staining ahead of rain — a rushed coat is the single most common reason a finish fails early.

How often will my deck need to be re-stained?

It depends on exposure: a south-facing deck in full sun weathers far faster than a shaded fence. Horizontal surfaces that take sun, snow, and foot traffic need attention soonest. We leave you a written care plan for your specific surfaces so you know what to watch for.

Should I pick a transparent stain or a solid colour?

It depends on the wood. A transparent or semi-transparent stain soaks into the grain and lets it show, so it suits boards in good condition and fades as it wears rather than peeling — but it needs redoing sooner. A semi-solid or solid colour carries more pigment, lasts longer and hides greying, splinters and mismatched repairs, which makes it the better choice for heavily weathered wood; the trade-off is that it sits more like paint, so a future refinish takes more prep. All four are Cabot stains, and the quote lets you choose between them.

My deck is already peeling and grey. Can it still be stained?

In most cases, yes. That's what our prep is for: a controlled-pressure wash strips dirt, mildew, and failing finish, a two-step brightener restores the wood's pH and opens the grain, and we spot-sand splintered boards and set popped nails before any stain goes on.

What if some of my boards are rotted?

We'll tell you when we arrive, before any stain goes on. If a deck needs replacement boards, staining over them is wasted money, and we'd rather say so than coat them. Board replacement isn't part of the online staining price, so we price it with you before doing it — and once it's done, the finished surface is sound throughout.

Will the pressure washing and stain hurt my plants or lawn?

Plants and lawn are protected throughout the job. We cover and shield garden beds around the work area and clean the yard before we leave — you shouldn't be able to tell we were there apart from the deck.

Which stain brands do you work with?

Sherwin-Williams Cabot, in transparent, semi-transparent, semi-solid or solid colour, applied in two coats that are brushed and back-rolled into the grain rather than sprayed and left sitting on the surface. If you have a brand preference, add it to the notes on your quote and we can usually work with it.

Wondering what this costs? Deck and fence staining cost in Toronto and the GTA sets published GTA ranges beside the prices our own quote produces.