How Much Does PermaSeal Deck Cost?

If you have a deck, you’ve likely heard many times about the danger that water poses to the wood. Over time, water will eat away at the wood fiber, leading to wet rot or insidious dry rot, and creating mildew. Wet wood on your deck is not only unappealing but also very dangerous to the structural integrity. Decks can start to rot in as little as 8 to 10 years, making it absolutely crucial to waterproof it from the beginning.

There are a number of factors that influence the cost to seal a deck and the price you pay will depend on regional labor rates, complexity of the project, preparation requirements, accessibility, and the specific sealant you choose. While it’s recommended to seal your wooden deck every couple years to keep it strong and looking beautiful, there is one product that claims to be a permanent seal for your deck.

PermaSeal is advertised as “the last deck treatment you’ll need.” It’ll restore the wood of your deck to a natural wood finish, while eliminating fungus, toxins, mold, and mildew that form with moisture. The product penetrates into the wood to permanently seal it against rot, decay, and water.

The average cost to seal a deck is between $551 and $1,265, with most homeowners paying $885. For both materials and labor, you can expect to pay $0.75 and $4 a square foot. PermaSeal itself costs around $45 a gallon, but labor alone makes up about 50% to 75% of the total price to seal your deck. The minimum job cost that PermaSeal charges is $1,200, and the price increases based on the size and condition of your deck. Their service includes both restoration and sealing.

To help put things into perspective, we’ve outlined the average costs to seal a deck, and compared the cost of the some of the most common sealant brands against PermaSeal. Continue reading for our comprehensive guide on the costs associated with sealing your deck with PermaSeal.

Put simply, PermaSeal is a permanent seal for wood and concrete structures. It is a clear, water-based acrylic mulsion that is specifically formulated to cure, seal, and protect interior and exterior decks, concrete floors, docks, pavement, and ramps. PermaSeal is a fast, dry, non-yellowing semigloss that sprays on milky white and dries clear. It creates a long-lasting waterproof barrier that shields against water damage, oil stains, acids, chemical fumes, ultraviolet degradation, alkali, and grease.

While most deck sealants are simply just a top coat, PermaSeal is designed to soak deep into your deck and never wear off. It fills the porous holes in both wood and concrete, strengthening the material by 23%. PermaSeal is ideal for kitchens, warehouses, parking centers, commercial buildings, and anywhere else that necessitates exceptional exterior and interior durability.

In simplest terms, the cost to seal or waterproof a deck can be broken down based on labor costs and the cost of materials. Of course, additional factors such as accessibility, preparation needs, size of the deck, and the complexity and scope of the project are also going to impact the final price.

However, labor alone consists of about 50% to 75% of the total price to seal a deck. Because of this, some homeowners choose to handle the sealing of their deck themselves. While this is a relatively simple DIY project, if you don’t do enough prep work, the seal will fail earlier than expected.

Sealing and waterproofing a deck usually costs $885, or between $551 and $1,265 on average. However, you could pay as little as $250 or as much as $2,000 to seal your deck depending on a number of factors. For both labor and materials, you can expect to pay between $0.75 and $4 a square foot. The following table displays a brief overview of the average costs to seal a deck.

The only way to truly know how much it costs to have your deck restored and sealed with PermaSeal is to reach out and obtain a quote for their services. However, according to our research, the minimum job cost for a PermaSeal deck is $1,200. This is to restore and seal a 12 by 12 wooden deck. The actual price you can expect to pay will depend on the size of your deck and its condition.

PermaSeal will use their biodegradable, non-toxic, and environmentally-friendly treatment process to bring your deck back to life and restore the natural finish of the wood. If your deck is in pretty rough condition, more labor will be required to restore it which will ultimately lead to a higher cost overall.

The labor to seal and waterproof a deck costs between $0.50 and $3 a square foot. However, the labor cost range could be more like $2.50 to $7 per square foot if your deck has stairs, spindles, multiple levels, and additional features that add to the complexity. For instance, with the average labor cost of roughly $40 an hour, sealing a 250-square foot deck will cost between $125 and $750 for labor alone.

While labor costs are high, it’s typically worth it for most people to hire a professional since it guarantees that the job is done right. The majority of the price of sealing a deck comes from labor, which can vary considerably based on where you live. You should also expect projects that are more difficult to access, like two-story units, to take more time and contribute to a higher overall price.

If you elect to restore or waterproof your deck yourself, you’ll need to budget appropriately for supplies and materials. Overall, you’ll spend between $100 and $200 on supplies. Sealants range from $20 to $60 a gallon, with PermaSeal costing about $45 per gallon. Add in all the tools you’ll need – such as rollers, buckets, brushes, etc. – and you’re looking at an additional $20 to $40.

Keep in mind that sealing your deck is going to require multiple coatings. For most projects, decks included, you’ll need about two gallons. Depending on the product you choose, one gallon will cover between 100 to 300 square feet. Make sure that you know the approximate size of your deck so you can purchase the correct number of gallons of sealant.

Harsher weather conditions in both the winter and summer are the greatest enemies of wood. In the winter months, cloudy and wet days can increase the decay of wood and cause rot and fungus. Whereas, constant exposure to direct sunlight will wear down on wood quickly. Fortunately, PermaSeal offers a defense system for wood and will protect your wood deck regardless of your climate.

PermaSeal is far more than a protective top coat. It is a penetrating-based process that restores and preserves both wood and concrete. Not to mention, the manufacturer boasts that PermaSeal will strengthen the wood of your deck by 23 percent and make it waterproof. After PermaSeal is applied, further decay and rot is no longer a concern. The product can be used and performs well on both new or existing wooden structures.

Another impressive benefit of PermaSeal is the fact that it’s a green product. It is completely biodegradable, non-toxic, and safe for people, pets, and the environment. Using PermaSeal makes deck maintenance a breeze, as treated surfaces only require a light wash. Power washing is no longer required. PermaSeal is technically neither a top coat or a stain, it is a penetrating sealant.

The major advantage to opting for PermaSeal over any other sealing product is that you’ll never have to use another stain or top coat. This means no more replacement or reapplication costs and immeasurable peace of mind. Each application of PermaSeal also comes with a 25-year guarantee, protecting against wood rot and decay for at least 25 years!

Both pressure-treated and untreated wood that is exposed to the elements is going to eventually dry out, split, discolor, crack, and twist. As the wood dries out, it becomes easier for mold, mildew, and insects to cause damage to the wood. This dried wood is also highly susceptible to moisture damage and rot. Generally speaking, the longer you wait to seal or stain your deck, the more damage that will occur to your investment.

You can determine whether your deck is ready to be sealed or stained by dropping a small amount of water onto the wood. If the water beads, the wood surface is not ready. However, if the water soaks into the wood, it is ready to be stained or sealed. Even though both stain and sealer protect wood from the elements, they are not the same.

A sealer goes on and cures virtually transparent to reveal the wood grain and natural wood color. It protects the wood against water absorption and rot. Stain, on the other hand, does much the same as sealer with the additional pigment that blocks UV rays from drying out wood and causing it to crack or gray. Sealing will help maintain the smooth surface and color of the wood, while staining will provide a more uniform tone to the wood.

With that said, deck stain tends to offer a bit more protection for your deck than sealer. It shields it from the sun and minimized graying of the wood – something that PermaSeal does not deliver. The cost to apply both a sealer and a stain together is $700 to $1,000 total. You’ll pay about $300 to $400 for the sealer and an additional $400 to $600 for the stain.

Whether you choose to handle sealing your deck yourself or prefer to hire a professional, it is well worth it to have the project done. It is a simple DIY project that necessitates the time and supplies in order to do it properly. In some cases, DIYers don’t do the required prep work beforehand which leads to the seal failing early.

If you don’t have the time or the confidence in your abilities to get the job done right the first time, consider hiring a local deck staining service or reach out to the professionals at PermaSeal to get a quote on your project.

Related Questions

How much does it cost to power wash and seal a deck?

Depending on the size of the deck, regional labor costs, and type of sealant, you can expect to pay between $500 and $1,700 to power wash and seal a deck.

Do I need to clean my deck before sealing it?

Your deck absolutely needs to be cleaned prior to sealing, as cleaning before any sort of refinishing is crucial. If you don’t remove any dirt and debris that collects on the surface, sealing will lock these moisture-trapping elements into the wood. This will keep the sealer from being able to do its job properly and ultimately lead to failure and potentially expensive repairs down the line. Whether cleaning needs to involve power washing, sandblasting, sanding, or some combination will depend on the condition of your deck.

Does PermaSeal prevent wood from turning grey?

PermaSeal is ultimately a penetrating sealant that is designed to prevent rot and decay. The process that they use does restore wood back to its natural state but after some time in the direct sunlight – approximately six months to a year – the wood will start to grey. For best results, you’ll want to clean your deck annually using a mild cleaner such as Krud Kutter. As a customer, you can choose to stain your deck if you want to add color, but PermaSeal does not guarantee any specific color.

How often should you seal a deck?

For most decks, it’s recommended that you seal once a year, especially if you live in an area that gets a lot of rainfall or high amounts of direct sun exposure year-round. This rule of thumb can be adjusted depending on the condition of your deck. However, you should never go past three years maximum before you stain or re-seal.

Can I leave my deck untreated?

Although you can technically leave your deck untreated, it is not recommended. If you want your deck to least, you should seal it with either a stain, sealer, or paint. Leaving a deck untreated means that it will rot quickly and you’ll have to replace it eventually. The cost to replace a deck ranges from $4,000 to $11,500.