Old and new deck sections - uniform color

The pictures do not show what type of stain is on the porch area so no way to say for certain if stripping will work or not. You do have to strip if you want to go with any semi-transparent stain brand.

Thank you for the response.  I can post. Couple of close ups this evening of the porch area but it likely has a semi-transparent stain, since the wood grain is visible.  

- Is stripping a porch like that a really difficult/labor intensive proposition given the height and screens etc?

- What if we use another semi-transparent stain without stripping, in a darker color to ensure a more uniform match? Will the stain not penetrate or is the concern around color?

No, not that difficult if it can be stripped. Just need some ladders and the proper prep products. You cannot apply a different brand of semi-trans over what you have without stripping. It will not adhere or penetrate.

Thank you for your responses!  

As promised I have attached some pictures of the covered porch - the deck boards do not seem to have been stained at all, the rest may be semi transparent?

Could you help me understand why using a different brand of semi-transparent stain - thinking either TWP or Ready Seal -  will cause a problem with absorbing the stain without stripping whereas using the same brand as before will not?  Also what color would you recommend in each that is brown without orange tint.

Contractors around here seem really reluctant to strip, they insist a good power wash will be enough if the water is absorbing and not beading on the surface. Would it be awful to proceed without stripping, or not ideal but serviceable?

Not sure if I should put the whole thing on hold and deal with it next year. 

We have already explained that to you. You have no choice but to strip when switching brands of penetrating Semi-transparent stains. Not prepping correctly will most likely result in product failure.

That looks like an easy strip on the screened porch. Strip/brighten those areas and then cleaner and brighten the unstained area.

Thanks again for taking a look. That helps. Is there a particular stain brand and color Or color family that you would recommend that is more suited to staining different age woods next to each other so they don’t look too different?

Try TWP 1500 Series or Armstrong Clark.

Do the solid and semi-transparent versions of TWP 1500 (or AC) stain match in color - e.g would Cedar look the same in both solid and semi versions, color wise?

One option the contractor has suggested is to stain the exterior of the porch using solid stain and use semi-transparent elsewhere.  This to avoid stripping the porch exterior, which he insists will require scrubbing with a brush and will be very labor-intensive. 

TWP 1500 and AC do not come in solid stains. You might want to hire a different contractor. One with more experience with deck stripping as it is not that hard in your scenario.

Thanks, the previous quote was for cleaning the deck and porch with a cleaner and pressure wash, and then staining. He doubled his labor quote if he were to strip the porch (inside and out, I am assuming)

Stripping is just as easy or easier than cleaning. He should know that.

He said it was going to take him 2 to 3 hours to apply the cleaner via a pressure washer to clean the porch and deck, and now he will have to use a brush to stub the stripper so it will take him pretty much all day at this point to clean the deck and strip the porch and then brighten.

Once again, he doesn't understand how to strip a deck. Applying a stripper and pressure washing it off is no different or harder then use a deck cleaner. Spray on the stripper and then pressure wash off, same as using a cleaner. You do not apply the stripper with a brush nor do you need to scrub it off.

This is very helpful - thanks!