Solid Stain Deck Restoration, Repair & Cedar Board Replacement in Wilmette, IL
Deck Restoration in Wilmette on Vista Drive. 510 sq ft restored. Completed by our Northbrook team.
Completed by our Northbrook crew
What We Did
Cedar takes on a particular kind of gray when the lake-effect seasons stack up year after year, and the deck at this Wilmette home had reached that point. The 510-square-foot surface, including the stair treads and risers, had worn past the point where cleaning alone would turn it around. Five cedar boards across the deck floor had softened or checked badly enough that they needed to come out before any finishing work could begin — the client understood that going in, and we confirmed the scope together before the first day started.
We opened with a thorough power wash and wood cleaning to pull out the embedded grime and open the grain, then let the cedar dry down before moving to sanding. The full horizontal surface got power-sanded to give the finish something clean and consistent to grip. The five board replacements were handled in stages as the work progressed, each new board matched and set flush before the surrounding deck moved on to finish prep. Once the surface was ready we applied Benjamin Moore's solid WoodLuxe in Fresh Brew, brushing through the stair treads and risers by hand to keep coverage even across the changes in angle. The aluminum railings were left as-is — they weren't part of the refinishing scope. Invoice went out the same afternoon we wrapped.
Scope of Work
In Wilmette, our Northbrook crew carried out a complete Deck Restoration across 510 of decking — from thorough surface prep and any needed repairs through to a durable, color-matched finish built to hold up to Chicago weather. Here's everything the job included:
Work performed
The Results
Showing the deck's condition before our team arrived, and the result after the deck restoration was complete.
More From This Job
Served by Our Northbrook Office
Deck Doc — Northbrook
Northbrook, IL 60062
Proudly serving Wilmette and the surrounding suburbs.
Deck Restoration in Nearby Cities
Our Northbrook crew also serves these areas.
Related Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Wilmette homeowners researching Deck Restoration.
How much does deck restoration cost in Wilmette, IL?
Final pricing depends on deck size, wood condition, the number of boards that need replacing, and any railing or stair work involved.
Can you save an old deck instead of replacing it?
In most cases, yes — restoration is a fraction of the cost of a full rebuild as long as the structural framing is sound and the surface boards aren't too far gone. On this Wilmette project, only 5 boards needed replacing before the rest of the cedar was cleaned, sanded, and refinished, giving the deck years of additional life.
What does a deck restoration include for a cedar deck with stairs and railings?
On a project like this one, restoration covers a full clean and prep of the cedar decking, replacement of any rotted or cracked boards, and finish application across the entire deck surface including the stairs. The aluminum railing was cleaned and inspected as part of the process, so the whole structure was addressed — not just the flat field.
Do you strip the old finish before restoring a deck?
Yes — proper stripping and prep work is what separates a restoration that lasts from one that peels within a season. On this cedar deck, we stripped the existing finish down to clean wood before any new product went on, which is what allows Benjamin Moore WoodLuxe to penetrate and bond correctly. For a quote, call our Northbrook team at (847) 979-9299.
Ready to Schedule Your Deck Restoration?
Served by our Northbrook office — free estimates, fully insured.