Deck Restoration in Chicago, IL

Three tiers of cedar in Chicago's northwest side — a front deck, upper and lower balconies at 100 square feet each, and a 550-square-foot rooftop deck — had been living under a failing solid stain that the seasons had worked into a cracking, hard-to-remove shell. The old coating had kept moisture against the wood long enough to rot through several boards and compromise two of the 6x6 treated pine pergola support posts holding the rooftop structure. By the time we arrived, the framing underneath told the fuller story: this deck system needed real repair before a brush touched anything.

We started with a chemical cleaner and power wash, then a wood brightener to pull the cedar's tone back before sanding. The old coating was stubborn enough that we ran machine floor sanders across all horizontal surfaces — deck floors and stair treads — and worked by hand and light machine on the railings, posts, skirting, risers, and trim. Six deteriorated cedar boards came out for access to the framing and post connections, then went back in once the structural work was done. The two rotted pergola posts were replaced under temporary shoring; one was rebuilt as a 4x4 with removable 1x6 casing to keep the existing electrical conduit reachable. A deteriorated decorative post and casing at the front stair got replaced as well, with the metal rail kit section carefully disassembled and re-installed around it. PVC casing trim went on six posts — maintenance-free stock that won't rot out again. For finish we used Benjamin Moore Solid WoodLuxe in a two-tone layout: Stock White on the front deck surfaces, balcony railing assemblies, support posts, skirting, wall ledge, and pergola beam exteriors; Beige Gray on the deck floors and lower balcony apron. The rooftop pergola beams, posts, wall ledge, and floor all got the same treatment, and the privacy fence attached to the deck was stained on both sides before we packed out.