Re-staining is mostly stripping and drying
A deck re-stain is a short job on paper: clean it, let it dry, put the stain on. In practice, the work you pay for is mostly in the first two steps, and in how much old finish has to come off before new stain can soak in. This guide describes the things that move the price of a Baton Rouge deck re-stain so you can read proposals with a clear eye. It doesn't quote prices; get them in writing from painters who have seen the deck.
What NOAA lists for Baton Rouge/Ryan Field
NOAA's engineering weather data for Baton Rouge/Ryan Field gives a 100-year rainfall rate of 4.0 inches per hour, a 50-year basic wind speed of 120 mph (3-second gust at 33 feet) and about 14 freeze-thaw cycles in an average year. The station also counts about 2,213 hours a year with the wet-bulb temperature above 73°F and about 3,994 hours above 67°F. Both cards print the full text and NOAA's links.
For a deck, two of those figures matter in practice. The wet-bulb hours describe how often the air is warm and damp, which slows drying of a washed deck and of fresh stain. The freeze-thaw count is how many times a year water in a check or a split board may freeze and widen it.
Size, shape and railings
A deck's price starts with its walking surface, but railings often take as long as the floor. Balusters have four sides each and have to be stained one at a time. Stairs add risers, stringers and treads. Built-in benches, planters and lattice skirting all add hand work. When you ask for a proposal, list:
- the deck's rough floor size and number of levels;
- railing length and baluster style;
- number of stair runs;
- benches, planters, pergolas or skirting to include or leave out.
Cleaning or stripping
If the old stain is a light, penetrating product in fair shape, a cleaner and a rinse may be all it needs. If it's a solid-color or film-forming stain that's peeling, it may need a chemical stripper, a brightener to restore the wood's color, and sometimes sanding. Stripping is the single biggest cost swing in a re-stain. Ask the painter to test a small area and tell you which approach the deck needs.
Repairs before stain
Stain highlights problems; it doesn't hide them. Look for:
- popped nails or screws that need resetting;
- split or soft boards that need replacing;
- loose railings or posts;
- boards that stay dark and damp after rain.
Some painters do minor carpentry; others refer it out. Either way, get it listed separately so you know what the stain portion costs. Structural problems belong with a deck builder, not a painter.
Drying between steps
After washing or stripping, wood needs to dry before stain goes on, and stain needs dry weather after application. On a deck with heavy shade or in damp spells, that can stretch the job across more days, and some painters build in a return trip. Ask how they'll judge dryness, whether they use a moisture meter, and what happens to the schedule if rain arrives.
Choosing a stain
- Clear and toned penetrating stains show the grain and wear by fading, so recoating is easier.
- Semi-transparent stains add color and some protection from sun.
- Solid stains hide the grain and look like paint; they can peel, which makes later work harder.
The choice affects today's price and the next re-stain. Our deck and fence staining page compares them in more detail.
Comparing proposals
Make sure each written Baton Rouge proposal states the area and railings included, cleaning versus stripping, repairs, the stain product and color, the number of coats, and the plan for weather delays. The pricing guide has more on how scope drives price.