Decks and wood fences are found mostly on the Bronx's detached and semi-detached houses: Throgs Neck, City Island, Pelham Bay, Morris Park, Woodlawn and Riverdale. Small rear decks and rooftop decks turn up on row houses too.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. New York City labor, building rules, access and the state of your own walls move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
How much does it cost to stain a deck?
It costs $1.50 to $4 per square foot to have a deck stained, by the national figures, or $450 to $1,000 for an average deck.
| Deck size | National range, professional |
|---|---|
| 10x10 | $157 to $404 |
| 12x12 | $226 to $582 |
| 12x16 | $301 to $775 |
| 12x20 | $376 to $969 |
| 16x16 | $401 to $1,034 |
Railings are extra, at $4 to $12 per linear foot, and they often take longer than the floor. Stripping an old failed finish before staining raises the rate to $2.50 to $5.50 per square foot.
Should I paint or stain my deck?
Stain it, in most cases. Stain soaks into the wood and wears away slowly. Paint sits on top as a film, and on a deck floor that film cracks and peels where people walk and water sits.
Paint lasts longer on paper. The national figures list deck paint at 10 to 15 years and stain as needing a new coat every 2 to 3 years. But when paint fails it has to be scraped or stripped, and stain only needs a wash and a new coat. Painting a deck is listed at $2 to $5 per square foot.
Solid or semi-transparent stain on an old deck?
Solid stain is usually better on an old deck. It hides gray, mismatched and repaired boards and gives the most protection from sun.
Semi-transparent stain shows the grain and suits newer wood in good shape. On worn boards it looks blotchy, because old wood soaks it up unevenly.
How often does a deck need restaining?
A deck needs restaining every 2 to 3 years, by the national figures. Floors wear faster than railings.
Decks near the water in Throgs Neck and on City Island get more sun, wind and salt and may need it sooner. Sprinkle water on the boards. If it soaks in and darkens the wood, it is time.
Can you paint a deck that was previously stained, or stain one that was painted?
A previously stained deck can be painted or given a solid stain after it is cleaned and sanded. A previously painted deck cannot be stained until the paint is fully stripped, because stain has to soak into bare wood.
Stripping is the costly direction. Think about that before you paint a deck for the first time.
Why is my deck stain peeling after a year?
Deck stain is peeling because it formed a film on top of the wood. That happens when the wood was damp, dirty or still sealed by an old finish, or when the stain was put on too thick.
Stain works by soaking in. Two heavy coats of a solid product on smooth or damp wood behave like paint. The fix is to strip or sand the failed finish and start again on clean, dry wood with thin coats.
How long should I wait before staining a new deck or pressure-treated fence?
Wait until the wood is dry enough to absorb water. For a new deck or fence in pressure-treated pine, that usually takes a few weeks to a few months.
Pressure-treated lumber is sold wet from the treatment. Test it: if drops of water bead up, wait. If they soak in, it is ready. Kiln dried lumber can be stained much sooner.
Can I stain a deck while the wood is damp?
No. Damp wood cannot take in stain, so the stain sits on top and peels.
After rain or a power wash, give the deck at least a day or two of dry weather. In a humid New York summer, or on a shaded deck, allow more.
Should I stain or paint my wood fence?
Stain is easier to live with on a wood fence. It does not peel, and a new coat goes on with little prep. Paint gives a crisp solid color but has to be scraped when it starts to flake.
By the national figures, painting or staining a fence costs $2 to $14 per linear foot, or $200 to $1,400 for 100 feet. No figure is published for how long fence stain lasts.
Is an old pine fence worth staining or should it be replaced?
An old fence is worth staining if the posts are solid and the boards are firm. Push on each post. If posts rock at the ground or boards crumble at the bottom, put the money toward a new fence.
A few bad pickets can be swapped before staining. Gray color by itself is not a reason to replace.
Do you paint iron fences and stoop railings?
Yes. Iron fences, gates and stoop railings are far more common in the Bronx than wood fences.
Rust is scraped and wire brushed, the bare metal is primed with a rust inhibiting primer and the ironwork gets a finish coat made for metal. No national figure is published for iron fences, so we price it after seeing the rust.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (718) 866-3263.