Deck Staining Highwood, IL

Deck staining for Highwood homes

Most of our deck staining calls in Highwood come from homes with compact lots and older homes near Fort Sheridan. In practice that means lake-effect exposure on east-facing decks.

With Lake Michigan nearby close by, decks and fences here hold moisture longer in the mornings. We schedule the wash early in the week so there is time to dry before stain goes on.

Most deck staining problems come from prep, not product. A deck that was power-washed and stained the same afternoon will look fine for a month and fail by the following spring because the wood was still wet inside. We wash, let the deck dry to under 15% moisture, sand any raised grain, then stain. It takes an extra visit. It is the difference between a finish that lasts three or four years and one that lasts one.

How the job goes in Highwood

1. Walk the deck with youWe look at the boards, rails, stairs and any soft spots, and confirm the stain type and tone before anything gets wet.
2. Clean and brightenA sodium percarbonate deck cleaner lifts gray oxidized wood, mildew and old failed finish. A brightener follows to neutralize and open the grain.
3. Dry and sandTwo to three dry days depending on weather. Raised grain and rough spots get a light sand so the stain goes on even.
4. Stain and back-brushApplied by pad or sprayer and immediately back-brushed into the wood. Rails, spindles and stair risers are brushed by hand.

Other work we do in Highwood

Homeowners here also ask us about Deck cleaning in Highwood, Fence cleaning in Highwood and Deck sealing in Highwood. See everything on the Highwood service area page, or read the full deck staining guide. We also cover nearby Bannockburn, Deerfield and Lake Bluff.