How much does deck staining cost in New Brunswick for a 300 square foot deck?

Staining a 300 square foot deck in New Brunswick by a professional painter typically costs $600–$1,200, with the range reflecting the condition of the wood, the type of stain used, and how much prep work is required. A deck in good shape that just needs cleaning and a fresh coat of semi-transparent stain will fall at the lower end, while a weathered deck with peeling old stain, graying wood, and rough boards will push toward the top of that range.

The breakdown is roughly $150–$300 in materials — about 2–4 gallons of quality deck stain at $45–$70/gallon plus cleaning solution and applicators — and the rest is labour. Prep work is the most time-consuming part of any deck staining job in NB. A thorough job includes pressure washing, allowing 2–3 days for the wood to fully dry (critical — stain applied over damp wood will not penetrate properly), stripping any old peeling stain with a deck stripper, sanding rough or raised grain, and often applying a wood brightener to restore the wood's natural pH before staining. That prep work alone can take a full day for a 300 sq ft deck.

The type of stain you choose affects both cost and longevity significantly in NB's climate. Semi-transparent stains penetrate the wood and let the grain show through — they're popular for cedar and pressure-treated decks in good condition, and they're more forgiving when reapplication time comes around because the new coat bonds to the old without stripping. In NB conditions, expect to reapply a semi-transparent stain every 2–3 years. Solid body stains look more like paint, hide the wood grain entirely, last 4–6 years, but are more difficult to maintain because they can peel and require proper stripping before recoating if they start failing. For most NB residential decks, a quality semi-transparent stain is the practical choice.

NB's climate creates specific deck staining challenges. The exterior painting and staining window runs mid-May through mid-October, and decks present a particular challenge in spring — the wood must be dry to a moisture content below 15%, which after a wet NB spring and snowmelt can mean waiting until late May or even June before it's safe to stain. Applying stain to wood that's holding moisture is the single most common cause of deck stain failure — the stain sits on the surface instead of penetrating, and within months it's flaking and peeling.

Horizontal deck boards take the hardest beating from NB's weather: direct UV, standing water during rain, snow loading, and constant foot traffic. A quality 100% acrylic or penetrating oil-based deck stain from a manufacturer like Cabot, Ready Seal, or Benjamin Moore Arborcoat will outperform generic big-box products in these conditions.

DIY is genuinely feasible for deck staining on a single-level deck, especially for homeowners who are comfortable with a pump sprayer and back-rolling technique. The materials savings are real — roughly $400–$800 on a 300 sq ft deck. But don't skip the pressure washing and drying time, and don't apply stain on a hot, sunny day (stain applied in direct sun dries too fast and doesn't penetrate evenly). Morning application after the dew has dried is ideal.

For decks that haven't been properly maintained in several years or where the old stain is visibly peeling and lifting, hiring a professional is the smarter call — the prep work is hard labour and getting it right is what determines whether the new stain lasts 3 years or 6.

---

Find a Painting Contractor

New Brunswick Painting helps you find local painting professionals through the New Brunswick Construction Network:

• Expressions Painting ✓
• Loves Painting Ltd. ✓
• Worry No More Handyman Service ✓
• Worry No More Handyman Services ✓