Can I Stain Underneath My Deck?

Q: I am having my deck stained. I would also like to paint or stain the bottom of the deck since there is an entrance to the patio level. One painter said he would do this, and another painter said it was not necessary. Will it hurt the deck to paint or stain the underside?

A: Quite the contrary. Stain and paint help protect wood decks from the elements.

Although it may not be necessary to stain the bottom of the deck if it were not exposed, you should definitely stain all of the deck wood that is exposed and visible, for both protection and appearance.

Kathy Maynard has been matching homeowners with home improvement contractors since 1990 and has written scores of articles advising homeowners how to find, hire and work with reputable service professionals. She also authors Weekend Warrior, a weekly home improvement column in The Sacramento Bee.