- 2Cities compared
- AugustStrongest month statewide
- 113 daysLongest calendar: Portland
- 0Year-round cities
Across Maine's 2 listed cities, annual workable days for deck staining run from 105 (Augusta) up to 113 (Portland). Every number comes from NOAA 1991–2020 normals scored against the same label ruleset; every city name links to its live 10-day check.
Statewide, August is the strongest month — it tops or ties the table in most listed cities. The live strips on each city page decide the week; this table decides the month. Scoring rules: methodology; the national playbook: the deck staining guide.
The deck staining circuit continues: Louisiana is the previous state on the loop, Maryland the next.
Cities in Maine
| City | Peak months | Season | Workable days/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | Aug, Sep, Jul | May–October | 113 |
| Augusta | Aug, Sep, Jul | May–October | 105 |
Top 2 Maine calendars for deck staining
The rules behind these numbers
| Check | Threshold | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Air temperature | 50–90°F | Air temperature while applying and for the first hours of dry time. |
| Overnight low | ≥40°F during the first 24 h | Overnight low during the cure window. |
| Dry before | ≤0.05" rain in the prior 24 h; watch back to 48 h | Wood must dry out after rain before it can absorb stain. |
| Dry after | <0.05" rain for 24 h after (48 h oil-based formulas want 48 h dry) | Water-based stains need roughly 24 dry hours; oil-based closer to 48. |
| Evening dew-point spread | ≥5°F from 6–11 pm | Temperature minus dew point from 6 pm to 11 pm. A small spread means dew will settle on fresh stain. |
| Daytime humidity | ≤85% | Daytime relative humidity slows dry time. |
| Wind | ≤15 mph (brush or pad only up to 20 mph) | Above 15 mph, spraying drifts; above 20 mph, dust and debris land in wet stain. |
Always follow your product label — formulas vary. The table above is the typical range across major manufacturers, not a promise about your can.
Related
Other tasks in Maine
- Exterior Painting in Maine
- Driveway Sealing in Maine
- Concrete Pouring in Maine
- Roof Coating in Maine
- Lawn Seeding in Maine
