Should You Paint or Stain Your Outdoor Deck?

If you’ve had an outdoor deck for some time, its protective coating may have worn off at some point. In today’s post, local roof replacement and home exterior remodeling company Triangle Home Exteriors whether you should stain or paint your deck.

Does Your Deck Need to Staining or Painting?

If you have a traditional wood deck, it needs to be protected from moisture: too much of it can result in swelling, as well as rot. Problem spots on a painted wood deck can be easily identified. Blistering, cracking, or peeling paint can be easily spotted especially if the color contrasts the wooden boards. You will need to scrape, sand, and make sure they’re thoroughly dry before priming and repainting. You can also hire professionals for this task, especially if parts of the deck will require repairs.

Stained decks are not as easy to inspect visually, but you can tell if it needs to be resealed and restained by applying a small amount of water on its surface. If the water forms beads, then the seal is still good. If the wood starts absorbing the water, then you will need to have it resealed and restained.

Staining Vs. Painting

As remodeling and siding contractors, we often get asked by homeowners whether their deck should be stained or painted. Each has its own set of pros and cons, but you should consider its primary purpose—protecting the deck from moisture damage—and weigh it with how much work you are willing to put in for its care and maintenance. Paint can be easily applied and reapplied, but it simply coats the boards and may trap moisture in the wood. In contrast, a quality stain and sealer will penetrate the wood and allow moisture to escape.

If your deck is up for replacement, or if you are considering building a new deck, consider composite materials instead of natural wood. Composites are made of polymers and a reinforcing material like wood or glass fibers, and typically have molded-in colors that eliminate the need for repainting. Quality decking is rot and warp-resistant and is made with realistic wood grain that can be hard to distinguish from the real thing.

Triangle Home Exteriors is one of the leading home exterior remodeling companies serving Cary, NC, and the surrounding communities. Give us a call at (919) 615-1101 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.