Wood Staining
Wood Staining in Vancouver, BC
Cedar, fir and clear-grade wood are signature materials on Vancouver and North Shore homes — and they need stain, not paint, to perform. Done right, a quality penetrating stain protects the wood for 4–8 years, lets the grain breathe, and ages gracefully instead of peeling.
Wood is alive — it expands, contracts, absorbs moisture, and breathes. Paint sits on top and can flake when the wood moves underneath; quality penetrating stains soak in, protect from inside, and never peel. We work with semi-transparent stains that show the natural grain, solid-body stains that look more like paint while still flexing with the wood, and clear UV-protective coatings for new clear cedar.
Prep is everything. We pressure-wash with a soft-wash tip, brighten oxidized cedar with an oxalic acid solution, sand any failed coatings, replace rotted boards, and let the wood reach the right moisture content before any stain goes on. Then we apply the appropriate Sansin, Cabot or Cetol system in two coats — brushed or sprayed-and-back-brushed depending on the substrate.
Most Vancouver decks, fences and cedar siding need a re-coat every 4–6 years on south- and west-facing elevations. We can also strip and re-stain previously coated wood that's failed, returning it to bare timber before starting over.
- Cedar siding, shake and shingle staining
- Deck, fence and railing refinishing
- Fir beams, posts and trim
- Penetrating semi-transparent or solid stains
- Sand, brighten and clean before stain
- Premium products: Sansin, Cabot, Cetol
Our Process
How we deliver wood staining projects
Wood assessment
Species, current finish, moisture content and damage all evaluated on-site.
Wash & brighten
Soft-wash, oxalic-acid brighten, sand failed coatings — wood reset to bare.
Repair & dry
Rotted boards replaced; wood allowed to reach proper moisture before staining.
Stain application
Two coats of penetrating semi-transparent or solid stain, brushed in.
Walkthrough & care plan
Final inspection plus a recommended re-coat schedule for your wood.
Built for Vancouver homes & weather
From cedar shake roofs in Caulfeild and West Vancouver to clear cedar siding in Kitsilano and Point Grey to fir post-and-beam decks across the North Shore, Vancouver homes lean heavily on natural wood. We know what each species needs in this climate.
Wood Staining painting questions, answered
How much does wood staining cost in Vancouver?
Decks typically run $4–$8 per square foot, fences $3–$6 per linear foot, and cedar siding is project-quoted by elevation. Final pricing depends on prep complexity and stain type.
How often should cedar siding be re-stained?
Every 4–8 years on average — sooner on south and west exposures, longer on shaded north walls. We'll recommend a schedule based on your specific home.
Can you stain a previously painted deck?
Yes, but the paint has to come off first. We sand or strip back to bare wood, then apply a penetrating stain that bonds properly.
What stains do you use?
Premium penetrating systems from Sansin, Cabot and Cetol — chosen per project for the wood species, exposure and desired look.
Solid vs semi-transparent stain?
Solid stains hide grain and look more like paint; they last longer on horizontal surfaces. Semi-transparent shows the natural grain and re-coats more easily. We'll recommend based on your home.
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