Is painting a deck better than staining?

Better, Lasting Coverage

While staining may take less time than painting, painting often does a better job of filling the cracks, covering imperfections, and provides longer lasting protection. Paint also is typically more rot resistance and does a better job of preventing mold and sun damage.

Is it best to stain or paint a deck?

Deck Painting

Paint allows you more color options, as where stain is limited to shades of brown. Because paint fills gaps and cracks, it hides the flaws of a weathered or old deck much better than stain does. It's easier to clean a painted deck rather than a stained one.

Why should you not paint a deck?

Painting traps moisture in the wood.

Decks are horizontal, so the paint simply lies on it, which leads to water pooling in certain areas. Over time, this traps moisture in the wood. As the deck naturally expands and contracts with the outdoor elements, the paint will eventually begin to chip and peel.

What lasts longer solid stain or paint?

Another notable difference between solid color stain and paint is that paint will last longer than stain.

Should I paint or stain exterior wood?

The advantage to stain is that it will expand and contract more with the wood, enduring the changing weather better. Stain is also more breathable, allowing natural airflow through the wood. Paint will dry in a thicker coat, providing a more substantial barrier.

Home Improvement Tips: Should I Paint or Stain My Deck? | FIX.com

Is it better to stain or paint pressure treated wood?

Pressure-Treated Wood Needs Protection

Applying stain to pressure-treated wood offers an additional level of protection that homeowners don't want to be without. Stain offers another layer of much-needed protection from insects and decay, as well as from mold and mildew.

What lasts longer outside paint or stain?

Paint lasts longer.

staining the deck, paint generally comes out as the more durable and colorfast finish, lasting 10 years or longer before requiring re-application. Oil-based paints offer the best protection from moisture, whereas latex paints provide the best defense against UV-related fading.

Is painting decking a good idea?

Deck paint is a great garden decking idea, it will not only refresh your outdoor space, but it will also help form a protective barrier around the timber. To ensure you can continue to enjoy your decking area for years to come, we've put together some maintenance tips, along with a guide on how to paint decking.

Is it cheaper to paint or stain a deck?

Stain is normally cheaper to purchase than paint. It is easier to apply stain, as well as to re-coat surfaces that need a touch up. Stain is quicker to apply than paint, because you don't always need to prime surfaces first. It also only usually needs one coat.

What is the best time to paint deck?

Consumer Reports notes the best time to paint or stain a deck is late spring when temperatures are between 60 and 85°F and the nights are cool. You'll need four dry days for preparation, for application, and for a finish to completely dry.

What time of year should I stain my deck?

The best time to stain your deck is either the spring or the fall. If you stain your deck in the summer, make sure you do it out of the direct sunlight. Applying a deck stain in direct sun will cause the stain to dry to quickly and can result in premature stain failure.

What is the best Colour to paint decking?

How much does it cost to paint a 12x12 deck?

The cost to paint a deck ranges from $600 to $1,500 or about $2 to $5 per square foot.

How much does it cost to stain a 12x12 deck?

A 12x12 deck costs $226 to $582 to stain when paying someone, or $59 to $176 to stain it yourself. A gallon of stain costs $20 to $50, which covers 200 to 300 square feet. Get free estimates from deck staining companies near you or view our deck stain cost calculator below.

How long will a deck last without stain?

After 6 months, the wood will start to lose its color and will begin to fade. Ultimately it will fade to grey or silver.

What is the difference between decking stain and decking paint?

What Is The Difference Between Deck Paint and Deck Stain? Deck paint will cover the deck with a complete film and will allow you many more colour choices. Deck stain on the other hand will give you a more natural look highlighting the grain of the wood to show through.

How often do you need to repaint a deck?

On average, decks should be refinished every 2-3 years.

Can you stain over painted deck?

Deck stains will not cover deck paint. To stain over a painted deck, you will first have to remove any current paint from your deck, either by using a deck stripper or by sanding the surfaces of your deck boards. Once the paint has been removed, you can then stain the deck.

How many coats of paint does a deck need?

Apply 1-3 coats of paint.

Paint the floor of the deck a few boards at a time, making sure you have a clear path on and off the deck so you do not paint yourself into a corner. Applying 3 coats will ensure the paint is durable and make the paint easier to maintain.

Should you seal a painted deck?

Paints don't penetrate wood like a sealer, but rather create a protective film on top to provide excellent UV protection. This means no wood grain shows through — great for weathered, worn decks or if you prefer a uniform look. However, if you're prefer to see the wood, opt for a stain or sealer.

Why is my deck paint peeling?

One of the reasons your deck paint keeps peeling is poor preparation –either the wood deck wasn't properly cleaned and sanded, or the paint was applied before the wood dried completely. Another possible reason is low paint quality used or paints applied too thickly without enough drying time between each coat.

Should I paint my pressure treated deck?

We often get asked for our painting recommendations for pressure treated wood. Our recommendation is short and simple: Don't. We do not recommend the use of a conventional multi-coat paint system or varnish. The performance is nearly always disappointing, and repainting often has to be preceded by scraping and sanding.

Is water based or oil based stain better for decks?

Oil decking stains penetrate wood very well and provide excellent protection. Oil molecules are smaller than water molecules so it penetrates better in comparison. The better a wood decking stain penetrates the better it performs and lasts. By nature, oil based deck stains are easier to apply than water based.

What is the best paint for pressure treated wood?

It's important to use the correct type of paint and primer on pressure-treated wood. Our experts recommend priming with a latex primer and a compatible exterior latex paint, also known as water-based paint. We recommend you avoid oil-based paint.

How much do painters charge to stain a deck?

The cost to stain your deck typically ranges from $540 to $1,050 with an average of just over $700. This equates to an average cost of $2 to $4 per square foot for labor and materials. Higher-quality stains will run up the price, as will washing or sealing the wood prior to staining.