Clear and Semi-Transparent Stain
Soaks into the wood and brings out the grain, with just enough pigment to carry UV protection.
Best when the boards are in good condition and the grain is worth showing.
Deck Staining & Painting · Based in Highland Park
Deck staining and painting across Chicagoland, for fences and outdoor wood
Decks, fences, pergolas and railings cleaned, sanded and stained or painted to shed water and stand up to the seasons. Based in Highland Park, serving the North Shore and Chicagoland.
Decks and Outdoor Wood
Outdoor wood fails early when the prep is rushed.
A deck takes more weather than any other surface on the house: sun, snow, and the freeze and thaw between them. A quick coat over gray, dirty boards peels by the next season.
So we prep the wood properly first. We clean it, sand it, make small repairs, and then stain or paint it evenly, matched to its character, so the finish protects as much as it refreshes.
Beyond the Deck
Fences, pergolas and railings
The same care goes to fences, pergolas, porches and railings. Wood staining brings out the grain and shields it from sun and snow. Painted railings and porch floors get a hard, weather-ready finish with tidy edges.
If the trim, siding or front door need attention while we're there, that's our exterior painting work, and it can run as one project.
Timing
When to stain in the Chicago area
Roughly late spring through early fall, when the wood is dry and the temperatures and humidity cooperate. We watch the forecast and schedule around it, because stain applied to damp wood or in the wrong conditions will not last.
North Shore Homes
Decks and fences near the lake
Decks and fences near the lake take wind, moisture and hard winters. The finish has to be chosen for that, and the prep has to be thorough, or the first freeze lifts it.
We work in Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Glencoe, Winnetka and across the North Shore, and travel throughout Chicagoland for the right project.
Choosing the Tone
See the finish on your own wood
The same tone looks warmer on cedar than it does on pressure-treated pine, and darker once it is wet. We test on your own boards, in the spot you see most, before the deck gets coated.
Tones are shown on your own wood before we start.
How We Work
What to expect
01
Free Estimate
We look at the wood and what's on it, and give you a clear written quote.
02
Clean & Prep
Washed, sanded and repaired, with the landscaping and the house protected.
03
Stain or Paint
Applied evenly in the right conditions, with the drying time the finish needs.
04
Final Walkthrough
Every board and rail reviewed together, the space left clean.
Why Gallagher
Prep that protects
On outdoor wood, the prep is most of the job and all of the difference. A finish only lasts on a surface that was ready for it.
Request a Free EstimateFamily owned, with our own crew
A Gallagher quotes your project and stays across it. The crew doing the work is ours.
Prep that protects
We wash, sand and repair before a drop of stain goes on, so the finish bonds tight and the weather stays out.
Weather-ready finishes
Stains and exterior lines matched to the wood and to our climate, applied in the conditions they need.
Fixed estimates
A written quote with the square footage, the condition of the boards, and the product, so you know what you are buying.
Recent Exteriors
Recent decks and exteriors
Kind Words
Trusted by neighbors across Chicagoland
Good to Know
Decks and outdoor wood, answered
Still wondering about something? We are happy to talk it through.
630-300-3071Should you pressure wash a deck before staining?
Yes, carefully. We wash the deck to lift dirt and gray wood, let it dry fully, then sand, because stain only holds on a clean, dry, sound surface.
What is the best time to stain a deck?
Late spring through early fall, on dry days with moderate temperatures. We schedule around the forecast, and we won't stain wood that's still holding moisture.
How much does deck staining cost?
It's priced by the size of the deck, the condition of the wood, the prep it needs, and the finish you choose. After a walkthrough we send a detailed, fixed estimate.
Can you paint a deck instead of staining it?
Yes. Paint gives a uniform color and suits older boards and painted railings. We'll tell you plainly which finish will last longer on your deck.
Do you stain fences and pergolas too?
Yes. Fences, pergolas, porches and railings get the same cleaning, sanding and even application.
Part of the Whole
This is part of our exterior painting work. Related: trim and door painting. See everything we do. Based in Highland Park, working across the North Shore and Chicagoland: see the areas we serve.
Let's Begin
Tell us about your project
We will come out, look at the work with you, and send a written estimate with the scope set out. There is no charge and no obligation.