Cleaned, prepped and stained to protect the wood through another Michigan winter, not just made to look good for one summer.
Paint sits on top of wood and traps moisture underneath, which is exactly what causes peeling and rot on a horizontal surface that takes direct weather. Stain soaks into the wood instead, which is why we recommend it for decks almost without exception. Fences can go either way depending on the look you want, and we'll tell you the tradeoff either way.
In West Michigan, expect to restain a deck every two to three years depending on sun exposure and traffic. Fences with less foot traffic often stretch to three or four. Skipping a cycle doesn't ruin the wood immediately, but it does mean more sanding and prep next time, which costs more than staying on schedule.
Stain, in almost every case. It soaks into the wood instead of sitting on top, which holds up far better on a horizontal surface exposed to standing water and direct sun.
Pressure-treated lumber typically needs to dry out for a few weeks to a few months before stain will absorb properly. We can check moisture content and tell you when it's ready.
We flag structural issues and handle minor repairs like a popped board or exposed fastener. Larger structural work gets called out honestly rather than stained over.
Usually one to two days for washing, drying time, and application, depending on size and how much sanding it needs.