Albuquerque deck and fence staining
Gray, dry or peeling wood brought back and protected. Decks, fences and pergolas cleaned, sanded and stained for high-desert sun.
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Wood has a hard life here. Strong sun, dry air and sudden monsoon rain turn bare boards gray, open cracks along the grain and wear old stain thin, often within a couple of summers.
We restore and protect it. Every deck and fence is cleaned, brightened and sanded first, then stained and sealed with a finish chosen for how much sun that wood gets.
Every kind of outdoor wood
Decks, fences and the wood around them all take the same sun, but each one is built and worn differently. Here is what we stain and how.
Boards, stairs and fascia
Ground level and raised decks, with every board, stair tread, rim board and fascia stained the same color. Stain is worked into the end grain and the gaps, where water and sun get into the wood first.
Privacy fences and gates
Wood privacy fences, picket fences and gates, stained or painted on one side or both. Fence boards stand straight up in the sun, so the side facing south or west usually fades first and gets extra attention.
Wood overhead and around the patio
Pergolas, ramadas, porch posts and exposed beams take sun on every face, and the tops of the beams take the most. We reach every side, stain the beams and rafters evenly and keep drips off the patio below.
The wood people touch
Handrails, balusters and stair treads get touched and walked on every day. We sand them smooth so they feel good to the hand, then stain each baluster on all four sides, so none are left pale on the back.
Gray wood brought back
A gray, splintery deck with peeling old stain can usually be brought back. We strip failing finish, clean and brighten the wood, sand off the gray, reset popped nails and screws, and point out boards to replace.
Water and sun kept out
Sealing keeps monsoon rain and sprinkler water from soaking in and keeps sun from drying the wood out. Most of the stains we use seal as they color; when you want the natural look, a clear sealer protects it.
High-desert wood
Wood outdoors here gets more sun and less moisture than almost anywhere else. These are the three signs we see most, and what each one needs.
Boards turn silver gray and feel fuzzy, first on the sunniest side of the fence or deck.
Cracks open along the grain and raised splinters catch bare feet and hands.
Old stain or paint flakes off in patches and what is left looks blotchy.
Choosing a finish
The difference is how much color the stain carries. More color hides more of the grain and blocks more sun, so it lasts longer between coats.
A clear or lightly tinted finish that shows every knot and the full grain.
Richer color with the grain still showing through. The one most homeowners pick.
An opaque color that hides the grain but keeps the texture of the wood.
These are typical ranges, not promises. Sun exposure, foot traffic, sprinklers and the condition of the wood all change how long a stain lasts. We put samples on your own boards so you see the color before you choose.
Prep, step by step
Six steps from the first look to the final walkthrough. Most of the work happens before any stain comes out.
We walk the deck or fence, measure, test the old finish and check for soft or loose boards.
Why it matters: The condition of the wood decides the prep and the stain.
Plants, gravel, patios and the stucco next to the wood are covered and masked.
Why it matters: Cleaners and stain do not belong on your plants or walls.
The wood is washed, old loose stain is stripped, and a brightener restores its color.
Why it matters: Stain soaks into clean wood and sits on top of dirty wood.
Once dry, gray fibers and splinters are sanded off and loose fasteners are reset.
Why it matters: Sanding opens the wood so the stain can soak in evenly.
Stain goes on board by board in the color you picked, worked into the ends and gaps.
Why it matters: Even coats are what keep the color from looking patchy later.
We look over the finished wood with you, touch up anything you point out and clean up.
Why it matters: You see every board up close before we call it done.
Free, written estimate
Is your deck or fence turning gray?
Tell us what you want stained, and we will give you a free, written estimate with a schedule.
Pricing, explained
Deck and fence staining prices depend on how much wood there is, how worn it is and how much of it is railings, stairs and other detail work. A newer deck that only needs a cleaning and a fresh coat costs far less than a gray, peeling one that needs a full restoration.
The only way to get an exact number is to look at the wood. That part is free.
Every free estimate includes
What shapes your price
Blueprint
More square feet of deck, more feet of fence and raised decks mean more time and stain.
Gray, splintered or peeling wood needs stripping and sanding before it can take stain.
Balusters and stairs take far longer per foot than open deck boards.
Solid stain, color changes and both sides of a fence add coats and hours.
Spring and fall are ideal, with mild days and boards that are not too hot to take stain. Summer works when we start early, stay off wood baking in afternoon sun and plan around monsoon storms. Wood must be dry before it is stained, so we always leave time after washing and after rain.
Straight answers to what Albuquerque homeowners ask us most.
Still have a question?
Ask it in the estimate form and we will answer, even if you are not ready for an estimate.
Ask UsIt depends on the stain and how much sun the deck gets. In our strong sun, a transparent stain often needs a fresh coat every year or two, a semi-transparent stain every two to three years, and a solid stain a little longer. South and west facing decks wear first.
For most wood decks we recommend stain. It soaks into the wood instead of sitting on top as a film, so it wears away slowly instead of peeling in sheets. Solid color stain gives a painted look while still letting the wood breathe. Railings and fences can be painted when you want a set color.
Usually, yes. Sun-grayed wood is mostly a worn surface layer. We clean and brighten the boards, sand away the gray fibers and rough spots, and stain the fresh wood underneath. Boards that are soft, rotted or badly split are pointed out in your estimate so you can decide whether to replace them first.
There is no single best stain. Transparent stain shows the most grain but fades fastest. Semi-transparent stain is the balance most homeowners pick, with color that blocks more sun while the grain still shows. Solid stain hides the grain and lasts longest on older wood. We bring samples so you can see each on your boards.
Yes. We stain and seal wood privacy fences, gates, pergolas, ramadas, porch posts, railings and deck stairs, and we can paint the underside of a raised deck or a deck canopy. Fences and decks are often done together so the wood around your yard wears at the same pace and matches.
A typical deck takes a few working days: one to clean and brighten, time for the wood to dry, then sanding and staining. Fences depend on their length. Stain needs dry wood and dry weather, so your estimate includes a schedule, and we move a day if rain is coming.
Spring and fall are best in Albuquerque, with mild days and cool boards. Summer works when we stain early and stay off wood baking in the afternoon sun, and we plan around monsoon storms. Winter can work on warm, dry stretches when the wood and air stay within the stain maker's limits.
Yes. Before we wash or stain, we cover plants, gravel and patio surfaces with drop cloths and plastic, and mask the stucco and siding where they meet the deck or fence. Stain is hard to remove from stucco, so careful masking and a steady hand matter as much as the stain itself.
Where we work
We stain decks, fences and pergolas in every part of Albuquerque, from the Northeast Heights and Four Hills to the North Valley and the Westside, and in Rio Rancho, Corrales and the other communities around the metro.
Since
2006
The family behind the brushes
Edik started All New Painting in 2006 with one standard: paint every home as if it were his own. Twenty years later it is still a family business, built on that same standard.
We paint interiors and exteriors, stucco, cabinets and commercial spaces, and we handle the drywall repair and prep that make paint last in the high desert.
More than 1,000 projects later, the goal has not changed: careful prep, clean lines and a home you are proud to come back to.
