Fox & Fern Painting Co.
Decks Restored Right.
From rotted boards and failing stain to full structural repairs and annual maintenance — Fox & Fern keeps decks throughout Chester County, Delaware County, and Northern Delaware looking great and standing strong. We repair what others replace, and maintain what we restore.
Get Your Free Deck Assessment →Free estimates · Response within 24 hours · No obligation
What We Do
Deck Services
Structural Repairs
Ledger boards, posts, beams, joists, and rim joists — the bones of your deck. We identify and replace rotted or compromised structural members before they become a safety hazard. All structural repairs use pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact and meet local code requirements. We pull permits when required.
Board Replacement
Cracked, split, cupped, or rotted deck boards are removed and replaced with matching species and profile wherever possible. We source pressure-treated pine, cedar, and hardwood decking to suit your existing deck. Selective board replacement is often far more cost-effective than a full resurface — we'll tell you honestly which your deck needs.
Full Deck Refacing
When the structure is sound but the surface is beyond individual repairs, we reface the entire deck — removing all decking and railing, inspecting and reinforcing the frame, and installing fresh decking throughout. Refacing gives you a brand-new deck surface without the cost of tearing out the whole structure. Learn more below →
Railing Repair & Replacement
Wobbly, rotted, or outdated railings are both unsightly and a liability. We repair loose posts, replace deteriorated rail sections, and install new railing systems in wood, composite, aluminum, or cable — to code and built to last. Whether you need a single post reset or a complete railing replacement, we handle it.
Staining & Sealing
A properly applied stain is your deck's primary defense against UV damage, moisture infiltration, and premature aging. We strip old failing finish, clean and brighten the wood, and apply a penetrating stain or solid color coat that protects from the inside out. Full staining guide below →
Annual Maintenance Plans
The best way to protect your deck investment is consistent, scheduled care. Our maintenance plans include annual inspections, cleaning, minor repairs, and re-coating on a schedule that matches your deck's finish type. See plans below →
Know What You're Dealing With
Reading Your Deck's Condition
Not all deck damage is equal. Here's a plain-language guide to what different signs of wear actually mean — and how urgently they need attention.
Monitor
Surface Fading & Graying
UV exposure causes stain to fade and unfinished wood to turn gray. This is cosmetic — not structural — but left unaddressed it allows moisture to penetrate and the problem escalates.
Address This Season
Peeling, Cracking & Raised Grain
Film-forming finishes (paints and solid stains) peel when moisture gets underneath. Raised grain means water is actively cycling in and out of the wood fibers. Needs stripping and re-coating before winter.
Repair Urgently
Soft Spots, Rot & Cracked Boards
A board that feels soft underfoot or shows dark discoloration has rot in it. Cracked boards allow water to sit against joists below. These issues spread — every wet season makes it worse and more expensive.
Do Not Ignore
Structural Movement & Rot
If your deck moves when you walk on it, if posts feel spongy at grade level, or if you can see daylight through the rim joists — this is a safety issue. The deck should not be used until it's inspected.
Not sure where your deck falls? We offer free deck assessments throughout Chester County. We'll walk every inch of the structure with you, identify what needs attention now versus what can wait, and give you an honest, itemized estimate — no pressure, no upsells.
Protect the Wood
Deck Staining & Sealing
Why staining matters more than most people think
Wood is porous. Without a protective finish, it absorbs water with every rain and dries out in the sun — a cycle that causes fibers to swell, split, and eventually rot. A good stain penetrates the wood and blocks this cycle, dramatically extending the life of your deck. Think of it as sunscreen and a raincoat for your lumber.
Prep is everything
New stain applied over a failing old coat bonds to the old finish, not the wood — and it peels just as fast. We always strip or sand failing finishes, clean the wood with a deck brightener to open the grain, and let the surface dry completely before any product goes on. This prep work is what separates a stain job that lasts 2–3 years from one that fails in one season.
How often should you restain?
It depends on the finish type, wood species, sun exposure, and how well the last coat was applied. As a general rule: penetrating stains every 2–3 years, solid stains every 3–5 years, and paint every 4–6 years with touch-ups in between. Our annual maintenance plans take this off your plate entirely.
Finish Types Explained
We help you choose the right product for your wood species, existing finish, and desired look.
Penetrating / Semi-Transparent Stain
Soaks into the wood rather than sitting on top. Shows the natural grain and texture. The easiest to maintain — when it wears, you simply clean and reapply without stripping. Best for newer wood in good condition.
Our most recommendedSemi-Solid Stain
More pigment than semi-transparent, so it hides more of the grain while still allowing some texture to show through. Good middle ground for decks with minor weathering or boards that don't match perfectly.
Solid Color Stain
Full coverage — hides grain completely, similar to paint but with greater flexibility so it's less prone to peeling on horizontal surfaces. Ideal for weathered or mismatched wood. Requires full stripping when it fails.
Deck Paint
Maximum color and UV protection. Long maintenance cycle but more demanding when it comes time to redo — requires full stripping to bare wood. Best for covered or shaded decks with lower moisture exposure.
Surface Replacement
Full Deck Refacing
Refacing is the smart middle ground between patching boards one at a time and tearing out the whole deck. When the frame is structurally sound but the surface is too far gone for repairs, we strip everything off the top and start fresh — giving you a brand-new deck surface at a fraction of full replacement cost.
Frame inspection & reinforcement
With the old decking removed, every joist, beam, ledger, and post gets a thorough inspection. Any compromised framing is replaced or sistered before new decking goes down.
New decking installation
We install new decking in your chosen material — pressure-treated pine, cedar, or composite — with proper spacing for drainage and hidden fasteners where desired for a clean, fastener-free surface.
Railing & trim update
A reface is the perfect time to update your railing system to something more modern, safer, or lower maintenance — we price this in from the start so there are no surprises.
Stain & seal
All new wood is cleaned, brightened, and finished with your chosen stain before we leave — so your restored deck is move-in ready the same week.
Reface vs. Full Replacement
Refacing
Full Tear-Out
Keep existing structure if sound
vs.
Remove everything including frame
30–50% less expensive
vs.
Full replacement cost
Completed in 2–5 days
vs.
1–2+ weeks
Minimal disruption to yard
vs.
Full demo and disposal
Fresh surface with full protection
vs.
Fresh surface with full protection
Refacing is the right choice when the frame is solid. We inspect the structure thoroughly and will always tell you honestly if a full tear-out is actually what's needed — we don't reface a deck that shouldn't be refaced.
Protect Your Investment
Annual Deck Maintenance Plans
A deck that gets consistent care lasts decades longer than one that gets attention only when something goes wrong. Our maintenance plans keep your deck clean, protected, and structurally sound — year after year — without you having to think about it.
Essential
Annual Clean
& Inspect
Once per year · Spring
Full deck cleaning — pressure wash and brightener
Structural inspection — boards, joists, posts, ledger
Fastener check — tighten loose screws and nails
Railing safety inspection
Written condition report with photos
Repair recommendations and honest pricing
Most Popular
Complete
Clean, Inspect
& Re-coat
Every 2–3 years · Includes staining
Everything in the Essential plan
Deck strip or light sanding as needed
Wood brightening and prep
Full re-application of penetrating or semi-solid stain
Spot board replacement (up to 3 boards included)
Priority scheduling — your spot is held each cycle
10% discount on any additional repairs
Premium
Full-Service
Deck Care
Annual visit + mid-season check
Everything in the Complete plan
Mid-season inspection visit (fall)
Gutter and downspout check near deck
Spot board replacement (up to 6 boards included)
Hardware replacement — screws, bolts, hangers
15% discount on any structural repairs
Priority emergency response for storm damage
All plans are priced per project based on deck size and current condition. Contact us for a free assessment and custom quote.
How It Works
Our Process
Step One
Free Assessment
We walk every inch of your deck — surface, structure, railings, ledger — and give you an honest condition report. No pressure, no upsells.
Step Two
Clear Quote
Itemized estimate covering every repair, the prep work, materials, and finish application. You know the full cost before we start — no surprises when we pull up boards.
Step Three
Repairs First
All structural and board repairs are completed before any cleaning or staining begins. We fix the deck, then we finish it — not the other way around.
Step Four
Prep & Finish
Thorough cleaning, stripping where needed, brightening, drying time, then stain or paint application. Every step done in the right order so the finish bonds properly and lasts.
Step Five
Final Walkthrough
We inspect every board and railing together. If you're on a maintenance plan, we schedule your next visit before we leave.
Why Fox & Fern
What Sets Us Apart
Honest Assessments, Always
We tell you what your deck actually needs — not the most expensive option. If selective board replacement solves the problem, we'll say so. We're building a long-term relationship, not a one-time invoice.
Repairs Before Finish — Every Time
We never stain over problems. Structural and surface repairs are always completed first so the finish goes on clean, sound wood that holds the coating properly.
Proper Prep, Not Shortcuts
Cleaning, stripping, brightening, drying — done fully and in the right order. This is what makes the difference between a finish that lasts 3 years and one that fails in one.
Local to Chester County
We're your neighbors. Our reputation here is built one deck at a time, and we treat every project with the care we'd want on our own homes.
Flexible Payment Options
Deck repairs and refacing are a real investment — especially when structural work is involved. Through our financing partnership, qualified homeowners can start their project today with zero money down and zero interest. Don't let the cost of a proper repair push you toward a patch job that fails in a season.
Learn About Financing →Ready to restore your deck?
Free assessment, honest quote, no obligation. We respond within 24 hours.