A wooden deck is a luxury you enjoy. With the right care and continuous maintenance, some wooden decks can last up to 40 years.
Staining or painting your wooden deck doesn't just allow you to customize the appeal of your outdoor living space. Either option will help protect your deck from moisture and sun damage, and staining or painting will both keep your deck's wood in healthier condition for longer. Should you paint or stain your deck? Use this guide to help you determine which deck finishing option is right for you.
Versatility
Both deck paint and stains come in a variety of colors. Stains, for example, come in many hues from a dusty blue to a rich black. A wood stain also allows the natural grain and mineral lines of your wooden deck to stand out, creating an alluring outdoor space you can enjoy.
Paint for wooden decks also comes in a variety of colors. Nearly any outdoor paint can be used to give your wooden deck added protection as long as you choose a brand and hue that is ideal for deck use. Popular paint hues for decks include red, white, and even black. When you paint your wooden deck, the natural grain of your wood will be disguised under the paint hue you choose.
If you don't like the stain or paint color you chose for your wooden deck or you want to modernize your deck's style, it's easier to convert your porch from a stain to being painted than the other way around.
Protection
Outdoor paint is designed to withstand moisture to prevent peeling. Paint also offers UV protection for your wooden deck. However, paint also traps moisture inside your wood, making the surface more susceptible to water damage. A stain is somewhat UV ray resistant, although only the darkest hues offer the best protection for your deck from the sun.
A benefit of staining your deck over painting the wood surface, however, is mold and mildew protection. Most stains contain a mold-inhibiting compound to protect your wooden deck against stubborn mold and mildew growth. Discuss protective qualities of both paint and wood stain with your deck specialist to determine which deck protection is best for your needs.
Longevity
The lighter the deck stain you choose, the more often you will have to redo the process to keep your deck in its best condition. A light deck stain lasts around a year, whereas a darker wood stain can last up to five years.
Painting your deck offers more permanent results, although you will still have to repaint your deck periodically when the paint begins to peel, fade, or crack. How often you will need to repaint your deck is determined by the condition of the wood in the first place (cracked, peeling, and dried wood will need to be painted more frequently). Expect the paint on your wood deck to last up to 10 years.
Maintenance
If you want a low-maintenance deck, consider painting the surface over staining. Because paint is easy to care for and doesn't need to be touched up as often as staining does, you can enjoy your deck with less work. However, staining does prevent more water damage, which can mean less wood replacement and more durable deck space over time.
Whether you choose a deck stain or choose to paint your outdoor living space, you will be able to transform your deck into a structure of beauty. Do not attempt to paint or stain your wooden deck on your own; hire a professional painter or deck specialist to perform the work for you for the best results. Call us at Diversified Painting to give your deck new look.
