Deck Staining
Decks are everywhere in Canada, especially in Ottawa, and if you’ve got a detached or semi-detached home, chances are you’ve got one too. But when it comes to staining a deck, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every deck is a little different, and things like the wood, what’s already on it, and what you want it to look like in the end all affect the cost in 2026.
Before getting started, it’s worth thinking through a few basics:
How much prep does it need?
This really depends on the condition of your deck. Is it brand new? Worn out? Peeling like crazy? Most older decks just need a good pressure wash and some light sanding to get them ready. New decks are easy, usually just a quick clean if there’s dirt or leaves. But if the wood is rotting or falling apart, that’s a bigger job. You’ll need to replace boards before doing anything else. As a rough idea, pressure washing a 20×10 deck might run $70–$100, and sanding could be around $300–$400.
What’s already on the deck?
If it’s a new build, you can skip this. Otherwise, it matters more than you’d think. Decks can have anything from semi-transparent stain to solid stain to full-on paint. You can usually tell by how it’s wearing: if it’s peeling in thin, see-through layers, it’s probably a lighter stain. If it looks thick and fully covers the wood, you’re likely dealing with a solid stain or paint. Solid stain often still lets a bit of the wood grain show through, unlike paint.
What do you actually want it to look like?
Your end goal matters, and it’s tied to what’s already there. With a new deck, you’ve got all the options. If it was previously done with a semi-transparent stain, you can strip it and start fresh, or just prep it and go over it with a solid finish. Both approaches work, just with different trade-offs. If the deck already has a solid coating, your options shrink a bit. Stripping it is possible, but expensive, and you can’t really go back to a semi-transparent stain unless you fully remove everything. Most of the time, you’re just reapplying another solid coat.
What about labour?
This is where people are sometimes surprised. Staining a deck isn’t like painting a wall, you can’t just roll it out quickly. Between the gaps in the boards and the edges, it takes careful brushwork to get even coverage and avoid streaks. For a 20×10 deck, expect around $200–$300 for one coat.
At the end of the day, a bit of upfront thinking goes a long way. Every deck is different, and understanding what you’re working with will help you plan better, and avoid headaches later on.
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