Deck & Fence Painting – Lafayette, CA

Lafayette properties near the reservoir and in the older residential hills run large custom decks — often multi-level — plus redwood perimeter fencing on substantial lots. The shaded north sides of fences here develop algae growth that requires treatment before any new stain will adhere. Newer construction near downtown Lafayette and along Mt. Diablo Boulevard runs cedar and pressure-treated pine. We work on redwood, cedar, pressure-treated pine, and composite decks (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon). Large deck footprints are common, and the combination of afternoon sun exposure on south-facing surfaces with shaded, damp north-facing surfaces sometimes means different product specs on the same property.

Algae and moss removal is part of the prep here, not an afterthought. We apply a biocide wash before pressure washing, allow it to dwell, then rinse. Older redwood gets soft-washed to protect the grain. After washing, we allow 48-to-72 hours of dry time before any product goes down — longer if the property is heavily shaded and drying slowly. We sand rough grain, fix fasteners, and replace compromised boards. For penetrating stains we use TWP (Total Wood Preservative), Penofin, or Ready Seal. Solid color work runs Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck or Benjamin Moore Arborcoat. On shaded north-face panels we sometimes specify a mildew-resistant additive.

The shade factor in Lafayette pushes many homeowners toward solid color coatings — the UV exposure on shaded north fences is low, so solid paint holds well and refreshes every 3-4 years rather than 2-3. On sun-exposed south and west-facing decks and fence runs, a penetrating stain like TWP or Ready Seal performs well with a 3-year cycle (Lafayette's hill microclimate is cooler than Antioch or Brentwood, which extends stain life modestly). Large custom decks where the aesthetic matters often go with semi-transparent penetrating stain to keep the wood grain visible — a common preference in Lafayette's higher-end residential market.

Algae and moss treatment adds prep scope compared to sun-baked properties. Multi-level decks with multiple stair sections and railing runs add time versus a flat single-level deck. Board condition on older redwood fences — soft rails, cracked posts — is common given the moisture cycle here. Deck square footage and railing complexity are the main drivers. Properties on slopes add setup time for staging.

We recently refinished a north-facing redwood fence on a Reliez Valley-area property — biocide pre-treatment, soft-wash, 72-hour dry, and two coats of TWP 100 in a natural cedar tone. Also completed a large multi-level deck near the reservoir: cedar decking, pressure-washed, dried, then finished with Benjamin Moore Arborcoat semi-transparent in a warm brown. Three-day job due to the dry window and deck size.