Yes. Once we sand the floors down to raw wood, we can apply a different stain color before the final protective clear coats go on. We usually suggest testing a few small patches in a closet or corner first so you can see how the wood takes the color in your specific lighting.

In most cases, yes. If we just apply a new finish over an old, peeling one, the new layer will only stick as well as the old one which usually isn't very well. For wood, we sand to open the "pores" so the stain can actually soak in. Proper prep is 90% of the job.

Between the snow and the summer sun, New England is tough on exterior wood. Typically, you can expect a high-quality deck stain on horizontal surfaces (the floor) to look great for 2–3 years before it needs a maintenance coat. Vertical surfaces like fences, shed siding, and railings usually last much longer, closer to 5–7 years.

For interior floors, you can usually walk on them with socks after 24 hours, but we recommend waiting at least 72 hours before moving furniture back or letting pets with claws run on them. For exterior decks, wait 24–48 hours depending on the humidity before putting your grill or patio furniture back.

Transparent or semi-transparent stains let the natural grain of the wood show through, but they offer less protection against the sun. Solid stains look more like paint and provide a "shield" that lasts longer, but they hide the wood grain. We can help you decide which is better based on the current condition of your wood.