◆What we do◆
A canvas, thoughtfully finished.
Staining is the quiet half of the craft. There is no second-coat hide to lean on. The wood is the finish, the stain is the depth, and a topcoat seals the whole thing. If the prep is wrong, the stain is wrong. If the wipe is wrong, the tone is wrong. So we slow down and we get those steps right.
We stain beams in great rooms, the cabinetry in your kitchen, deck boards that have been bleached by the sun, the stairs you walk every morning, and the built-ins that came with the house or are about to. Each one gets a different topcoat depending on the use case. A deck topcoat is not the same as a stair topcoat is not the same as a cabinet topcoat. We match the product to the wear pattern.
If the goal is to match an existing tone on a piece of wood we did not stain, we make sample boards. You see the option in your space, under your light, against the wall it is going to live next to. We do not commit to a color from a chip on a brochure. We commit to a color you saw on a board in your kitchen.
Multi-coat protection is the standard. Stain. Seal. Topcoat. Sometimes another topcoat where the wear pattern calls for it. The wood lasts because the finish lasts.
Materials and process
Sherwin-Williams stains and topcoats. Minwax-grade and SW interior stains for cabinetry and beams. Deck and exterior stains with UV protection for outdoor work. Conversion varnishes on cabinets where durability matters most.
Prep first. Sanding to the grit the topcoat calls for. Cleaning between coats. Filling open grain where the look calls for a smoother finish. Letting each step actually dry.
Sample boards. No tone gets committed to without a sample board in the actual room, under the actual lighting. The color you sign off on is the color you get.
◆Where we work◆
Hamilton County and beyond.
We serve all of Hamilton County: Noblesville, Carmel, Fishers, and Zionsville. Also Westfield, Cicero, Whitestown, and greater Indianapolis. Estimates are free and owner-walked.
◆Frequently asked◆
Common questions, plain answers.
What can you stain and finish?
We stain and finish decks, fences, pergolas, exterior doors, railings, and interior woodwork. Each surface gets the stain type and finish matched to how much sun and weather it takes and how you use it. A deck that bakes in afternoon sun is treated differently than a covered front door.
Do you strip and sand old stain before re-staining?
Yes, when the surface needs it. Wood that is peeling, gray, or has a failed finish gets cleaned, stripped, and sanded back to a sound surface before new stain goes on. Staining over a failing finish just buys a few months. We do the prep so the result lasts.
Stain or paint for my deck?
It depends on the wood, its age, and the look you want. Stain shows the grain and is easier to refresh over time. Solid color hides more and lasts longer on older or weathered boards. Taylor will look at your deck and tell you straight which path fits your wood and your budget.
How often should a deck be re-stained in Indiana?
Most decks in Hamilton County benefit from attention every few years, sooner for surfaces in full sun. Color fading, water no longer beading, and a rough or graying surface are the signs. We can set you up with a maintenance interval rather than waiting until the wood is damaged.
Are you insured and do you provide a written quote for staining?
Yes on both. We carry general liability and workers compensation, and Taylor writes an itemized estimate the same business day after walking the project. The estimate matches the invoice.
Taylor and his crew at True North Craftsmen just finished a painting project for us, and the results are remarkable.
Taylor and his team are excellent. They really took great care to protect and cover floors and furnishings before even getting started.
His attention to detail, courtesy, respectfulness, and professionalism are top notch with all leading to an excellent finished product.
❦Ready when you are❦
Ready to transform your home?
Free, no-pressure estimates. Taylor walks every job in person. You will hear back the same business day, with samples in hand and the plan written down.
Painted with purpose. Taylor Ly