Gray boards. Peeling stain. Splinters where the finish gave out two summers ago. A weathered deck does not need to be torn out. In most cases, it needs the old finish removed, the failed boards swapped, and a fresh stain that actually holds up to winter.
Atherton Painting Co. restores decks in Queensbury, Lake George, Bolton Landing, Glens Falls, Saratoga, and surrounding areas.
Professional Deck Staining, Refurbishing, & Restoration
Our process begins with a thorough inspection and surface preparation to repair damaged or weakened areas. We sand the surface to remove old paint, stain, and imperfections, creating a clean base for a flawless finish.
Next, we apply a high-quality stain or protective sealant designed to withstand moisture, UV rays, and temperature changes. The result is a smooth, revitalized surface that not only looks beautiful but is built to last through every season.
We offer complete deck refurbishing services, including:
- Board replacement and structural repair
- Sanding, scraping, and cleaning
- Staining, sealing, or painting
- Detail work for railings, steps, and trim
Whether your deck is pressure-treated wood, cedar, or composite, our attention to detail ensures consistent color, long-term protection, and a finish that enhances the natural beauty of your outdoor space.
Decks We Work On
Pressure-treated pine
What Deck Restoration Costs
Every deck quote comes down to five things
Square footage, including stairs and railings. Railings and balusters take far longer per square foot than open decking.
How much old finish has to come off. A deck with a weathered penetrating oil may only need a wash and a light sanding. A deck with peeling solid stain needs to be stripped and sanded to bare wood. That difference can double the prep.
How many boards need replacing. We count them during the walk and price them individually.
What finish you choose. Clear sealers, penetrating stains and solid finishes carry different material costs and different labor.
Access and complexity. Multi-level decks, decks over water, and decks with built-in benches or planters all take longer.
Decks We Work On
Pressure-Treated Pine Decks
Pressure-treated pine is the most common deck material in Queensbury and the surrounding towns, and it is the one most often finished too soon. New pressure-treated lumber arrives wet with preservative. Stain applied before it dries down sits on the surface instead of penetrating, and it lifts within a season.
On older pressure-treated decks the problem is reversed. Years of sun and freeze-thaw open the grain, raise the fibers, and leave a surface that drinks stain unevenly. That is why the wash, dry and sand sequence matters so much on this material. Sanding does not remove the preservative treatment, which penetrates well below the surface.
Cedar Decks
Cedar can be brought back from gray, but it is soft enough that the prep is where the damage happens. High-pressure washing tears the soft summer growth out from between the harder grain lines and leaves a furred, ridged surface that no stain will make look even.
We use low pressure and a wood cleaner to lift the gray, then sand to knock down raised grain. Cedar takes semi-transparent stain well and holds its color character, which is usually the reason someone paid for a cedar deck in the first place.
Mahogany and Tropical Hardwood Decks
Mahogany, Ipe and Batu decks show up regularly on Lake George and Bolton Landing properties, and they are the material homeowners most often get wrong. These woods are dense and naturally oily, so they absorb very little. Any film-forming product, including solid stain and paint, sits on top and peels off in sheets within a year or two.
Tropical hardwoods want a penetrating oil finish, and they want it more often than a softwood deck. The trade-off is that the recoat itself is simple. Clean, dry, reapply. There is usually no stripping or heavy sanding involved if the deck has been kept on schedule.
Redwood Decks
Redwood decks in the Lake George region are almost always older builds, and the real question is whether the boards are still sound enough to be worth refinishing. Often they are. Redwood has good natural rot resistance, and a deck that looks unsalvageable from ten feet away frequently needs a handful of board swaps rather than a rebuild.
We assess board by board during the estimate and tell you honestly which way the math points.
Award-Winning Craftsmanship
As an award-winning painting, staining, and restoration company, Atherton Painting Co. is known for its attention to detail and commitment to excellence.
We don’t just refinish decks, we restore outdoor living spaces. With over 15 years of experience in construction, painting, and renovation, we combine technical skill with expert care to deliver results that homeowners love.
Whether you’re preparing for summer gatherings or simply want to extend the life of your deck, we’ll help you create a durable, beautiful outdoor area you’ll be proud to enjoy.
