Services / Wood restoration & sealing
Wood restoration and sealing
Wood restoration and sealing goes beyond a soft wash — sanding and repairing worn boards, then applying a penetrating stain or sealant that protects the wood from UV and moisture, which is what actually slows the graying and cracking that comes back fast on bare, unsealed wood.
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A cleaned deck looks good the day we leave, but bare wood starts absorbing UV and moisture again immediately. Restoration and sealing is the step that makes a clean deck stay looking new instead of greying out again within a year.
Signs you need wood restoration & sealing
- Bare, unsealed wood that is greying again within months of a wash
- Cracking, cupping, or splintering boards
- Water beading less than it used to — a sign the old sealant has worn off
- Faded or blotchy old stain that needs to be addressed before restaining
- A deck that has not been sealed in three or more years
What is included
- Sanding and spot repair for cupped, splintering, or damaged boards
- Wood brightener treatment to neutralize tannins and open the grain before staining
- Semi-transparent, solid, or clear sealant options matched to the wood’s condition
- Penetrating, UV-blocking sealants for pressure-treated pine, cedar, and IPE
- Fences, pergolas, docks, and railings included alongside decking
How it works
- 1 Clean and fully dry the wood — sealing over a dirty or damp surface traps both underneath
- 2 Sand and spot-repair any damaged, splintering, or cupped boards
- 3 Apply a wood brightener to neutralize tannins and reopen the grain for even stain absorption
- 4 Apply stain or sealant in thin, even coats, working with the grain
- 5 Let the sealant cure fully before furniture or foot traffic returns
Understanding the problem
What is actually happening — and why the method matters
Sealants fall into two broad types. Penetrating oil-based sealants soak into the wood fibers and protect from the inside, letting the wood keep breathing and moving with humidity — which is generally preferred for real wood decking. Film-forming finishes, including some solid stains and clear coats, sit on top of the wood as a layer instead; they can look great immediately but are more prone to peeling and flaking since they do not move with the wood the way a penetrating sealant does.
Pigment is what actually blocks UV light from breaking down lignin, the compound that gives wood its color. A fully clear sealant offers real moisture protection but almost no UV protection, which is why clear-sealed wood often needs reapplication annually, while a semi-transparent or solid stain with pigment can hold up for two to three years or more.
Cleaning alone does not stop the cycle, because bare wood is porous — the moment a protective coating wears away, or if it was never applied, the wood starts absorbing rain and UV again immediately. Sealing after cleaning is what extends the interval between full restorations, instead of fighting the same graying and weathering every single year.
Common questions
Questions about wood restoration & sealing
What is the difference between cleaning and restoration/sealing?
Cleaning removes dirt, mildew, and grey buildup from the surface. Restoration and sealing goes further — repairing damaged boards, brightening the wood, and applying a protective stain or sealant so it takes longer to grey and weather again.
How long does sealant last?
Typically two to three years for a penetrating semi-transparent stain, less for a fully clear sealant, and longer for a solid stain, depending on sun exposure and foot traffic.
Do I need to strip old stain before resealing?
Only if the old stain is peeling, flaking, or a film-forming product incompatible with the new one. A worn but intact penetrating stain usually just needs cleaning and brightening before recoating.
What color options are available?
Semi-transparent stains in a range of wood-tone shades, solid stains in solid colors, and clear sealants with no color change. We can show samples against your specific wood before you commit.
How long before the deck can be used after sealing?
Light foot traffic is usually fine after 24 hours; furniture and heavier use should wait 48 to 72 hours for a full cure, longer in cool or humid weather.
Can composite decking be sealed too?
Composite does not need traditional staining or sealing the way real wood does — its color is built into the material. We can clean and treat composite, but sealing applies to real wood surfaces.
Will restoration fix cupped or warped boards?
Sanding and spot repair can address mild cupping and surface damage. Significantly warped or structurally failing boards typically need replacement, which we will flag separately rather than seal over.
How much does wood restoration and sealing cost?
Pricing depends on square footage, the wood’s current condition, and whether sanding or board repair is needed. We assess the deck or fence and provide a free written quote.
What time of year is best for sealing?
Spring through fall, avoiding periods of heavy rain right after application and avoiding extreme heat that can cause the sealant to dry too fast and lap-mark.
Do you seal fences and pergolas, or just decks?
All of it — fences, pergolas, railings, and docks get the same brightening and sealing treatment as decking when they are real wood.
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