"I did not wish to take a cabin passage, but rather to go before the mast and on the deck of the world."
--- Henry David Thoreau
It is said that a color tells the story of a space. It is also true on your deck. transforming your deck by refreshing it with a new layer of color would be the very first step. There are two ways to add a new color to the deck: staining and painting. But which one should we choose?
Stain
Staining a deck is the easiest thing to do to refresh a deck. It is recommended that your deck is fairly new; typically less than five years old. With a gentle cleaning and a coat of stain, it is sufficient to transform the deck and have a finished look.
Due to the stain's material properties, it enhances your deck by highlighting its natural grain and texture. Other than solid stain, many stains offer transparent or semi-transparent coating that allows the wood decks' natural beauty to show through. Stain also penetrates the wood and does not peel or chip, which can simplify the following maintenance in the long run. However, stains fade faster. It is recommended to reapply it every one to three years.
Paint
Painting, on the other hand, requires more labor-intensive prep work, including thorough cleaning, sanding, and applying primer before adding a coat of paint. Painting is better for aged wood planks or dated decks, typically more than 10 years old. As the deck wood might experience extensive wear and tear, resulting in wood peeling or cracking, paint binds to the wood and acts like a protective layer.
Using paint can also hide imperfections, knots, and cracks, and allow a wide range of colors from neutral to bold hues. If you want your deck to be a statement piece in your yard, painting would be a perfect choice. It can also give your place a customized look and manifest your lifestyle.
Moreover, if we do it right, the paint lasts longer. It provides strong protection against UV rays and moisture damage, making it ideal for decks exposed to intense sunlight and heavy foot traffic.
Final Takeaways
When to use Paint: If you have an aged deck, want less recoating maintenance, or simply want a customized color.
When to use stain? If you have a fairly new deck, don't mind regular maintenance, and prefer your deck in a natural tone.
By the way…
Interesting in learning more of painting a deck in depth, check out this “How To” video (How to Paint a Deck) from the Home Depot.
For a quick walkthrough on Painting a Deck, this video is a must to watch.