How to Refinish a Wood Deck

Few things are more annoying than stepping onto your deck in bare feet only to be stuck by a splinter. Fortunately, you can prevent wood decks from splintering and cracking by refinishing them every year or two. Here’s how to refinish your deck to keep it looking great (and protect your feet!) for years to come.

Who to hire: This is an easy project that you can handle yourself. If you’d prefer not to spend a weekend working on your deck, you can hire a contractor who does deck restoration.

Cost: That depends on the size of your deck, the level of soil and the type of wood. If you need to rent a power washer, that will likely set you back between $40 and $200, depending on how long it takes to clean your deck. The brushes, sealant, stain and other materials will probably cost about $150. If you hire a contractor, expect to spend between $500 and $700 for an average-size deck.

Typical project length: After cleaning the deck, you’ll need to let it dry for 48 hours, so expect to spend about three days on this project including drying time.

Best time to do this project: During a sunny, dry period in late spring.


First steps: Do some research before heading to the hardware store, as different woods and finishes respond to cleaning methods, stains and sealants differently.

“Depending on the wood and the desired aesthetic, we research products on a case-by-case basis and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. By doing this the manufacturer stands behind their product and the installers have the best information available to them regarding preparation and application details,” says Stephen Bruns of Bruns Architecture.


Cleaning Your Deck

Once you’ve settled on which products to use, you’ll need to clean your deck. There are three ways you can do this:
ScrubbingPressure washingStrippingScrubbing is the least expensive and gentlest option. Don’t worry, you won’t be stuck on your hands and knees. A stiff-bristle push broom can be an effective cleaning tool when paired with trisodium phosphate (TSP) or an outdoor cleaner like OxiClean. Follow the instructions carefully to make sure you apply the correct amount and don’t leave any residue behind.

Tip: Cover plants with plastic before scrubbing to avoid exposure to harsh cleaners. Rinse them with the hose after completing the cleaning process to be extra safe.


Pressure washing is a great option for cleaning average- to large-size decks efficiently, while scrubbing can be effective on smaller decks with few tight corners.

Stripping is used primarily to spot treat areas where old stain still clings tightly to the surface, such as on railings and other light-traffic surfaces.

Tip: Don’t allow your pressure-washing nozzle to get closer than 12 inches from your deck, and avoid lingering on one spot for too long. Otherwise you may risk damaging the wood.


Treating the Wood

After cleaning your deck, allow at least 48 hours for it to dry before you apply the finish. When choosing a product, keep in mind that clear or tinted products usually last only a year or two, while semitransparent and solid stains last as long as four years.

When you apply the finish, read the manufacturer’s instruction’s carefully. While paint rollers and sprayers make applying stain to large areas easy, they aren’t appropriate for every product. For example, gel stains require a special pad for application.


A word about ipe: If you’re allowing your ipe deck to turn silver, all you need to do is keep the deck clean. But if you’d like to maintain its rich reddish-brown color, you’ll need to do maintenance.

“To keep the rich look, you would need to refinish at least every year, depending on your location and weather,” says Jaime Choico of Choico Design.


To do this you’ll need to use a penetrating oil sealer. “Ipe is very dense and will not soak up much oil the first time it’s finished. Apply it with a brush or a pump sprayer (like the ones used by pest control people) and then wipe off the excess, like a hand-rubbed finish on a fine piece of furniture. We find that it is best to apply a second coat of finish about four months after the deck has been installed,” advise the experts at Austin Outdoor Design.

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