Best time of year to stain a deck in Illinois

Late spring through early fall, in dry weather, with a day or two of dry forecast after. That covers most of the Illinois staining season.

What matters more than the month is the wood is moisture and the weather window. We test moisture in 15 to 20 spots before staining. Stain applied to wood that is too wet will not bond. Stain applied right before rain will be ruined. Stain applied in extreme heat dries too fast to penetrate.

If you are calling for an estimate in early spring, we can usually quote and schedule for the right week. If you are calling in late summer, we are working through the backlog. If you are calling in November, we are usually wrapping the season and looking at next year.

The earlier in the season you reach out, the more scheduling flexibility you get. Quote requests in February and March are not too early.