Exterior Painting & Staining

Exterior wood siding and decks in Truckee and Lake Tahoe typically need maintenance staining every 2 to 4 years on sun-exposed south and west walls, and every 4 to 6 years on shaded north and east sides. Because our elevation sits above 6,000 feet, UV exposure is roughly 30% stronger than at sea level and reflects off winter snowpack. Catching a south-facing wall for a maintenance coat before the stain completely wears away and the bare wood turns gray is the easiest way to avoid expensive full-strip restoration down the road.

The three main exterior stain types—semi-transparent, semi-solid (semi-opaque), and solid stain—differ in how much pigment they contain, how much natural wood grain stays visible, and how long they last between recoats:

• Semi-Transparent Stain: Soaks into the wood with a light tint that lets the full natural grain, knots, and texture of cedar or redwood show through. It offers the most natural mountain look and is easiest to recoat, needing maintenance every 2 to 3 years on sunny walls.

• Semi-Solid (Semi-Opaque) Stain: Contains higher pigment levels for deeper color and stronger UV protection while still letting the wood’s texture and subtle grain show through. It is a great middle ground for weathered wood, typically lasting 3 to 5 years.

• Solid Stain: Covers the wood with an opaque, flat-to-satin finish that hides color variations and imperfections while still allowing the underlying texture of rough-sawn siding to show. Because the heavy pigment blocks the most UV rays, solid stains last the longest—typically 5 to 8+ years.

Every Kelly Brothers Painting crew consists of 100% in-house, full-time employees—never subcontractors. We employ local painters across Reno and Tahoe with an average company tenure of 8 years. Having a consistent, year-round team licensed in both California (CA Lic. #822843) and Nevada (NV Lic. #68238) means the craftsmen prepping and staining your home are trained internally to the exact same Kelly Brothers Painting Standard as the estimator who walked your property.

Yes, every booked exterior project includes complimentary color and stain consulting with our design team. Because wood species like cedar and redwood absorb stain differently depending on age and sun exposure, we apply physical sample brush-outs directly onto your siding or deck so you can see how TWP, PPG ProLuxe, Flood, or Sherwin-Williams finishes look in the natural Tahoe light. We also help coordinate palettes that meet strict HOA architectural guidelines in communities like Martis Camp, Lahontan, Schaffer’s Mill, Tahoe Donner, and Incline Village.