A deck is an excellent addition to your home, which extends the living space. Whether you want to host a sunny BBQ or just laze around with a book, you have a perfect outdoor space to entertain and unwind. 

Wood is one of the most popular materials for decks. While hardwood is aesthetically appealing as well as durable, it’s also susceptible to damage. Outdoor decks require maintenance because unprotected wood can warp and crack. Applying a suitable treatment is necessary to enhance the look and longevity of your deck. 

Are you confused between painting or staining your deck? This post will help you find the most suitable option for your deck. Take a look. 

Look

Do you want a unique colour for your deck? Paint comes in a wide range of colours, whereas there are limited options for stains. From slate grey to dark blue, there are plenty of paint colours to choose from. Moreover, painting is also a reliable way to cover any imperfections. 

If you want to retain the natural look of the wood, stain allows the natural grain pattern to shine through while providing protection. It’s a better choice if you want a rustic look.

Age

If you have installed a brand new deck, experts recommend staining your deck since it is much more long-lasting and will protect the wood for a long time. On the other hand, staining isn’t the best option for an aged deck. 

That’s because the old stain needs to be sanded down completely to stain the deck again, which can damage the wood. Therefore, painting is a better choice for older decks. Painting your deck will not only offer protection and minimise the damage but also give it a brand new look.

Protection

You can rely on paint to protect your deck from sun damage. So if your home gets plenty of sunlight, we recommend painting your deck. Furthermore, paint is also considerably long-lasting. 

Stain isn’t as effective in preventing sun damage. Compared to paint, stains have a shorter shelf life and need to be reapplied every few years. 

Budget

Staining your deck is an ideal option if you are on a tight budget. Outdoor deck paint is typically more expensive than stains. If you decide to paint your deck, you should also factor in the cost of primer and wood preservatives.

Maintenance

Painting makes your deck much easier to clean and maintain. Since stains typically dry with a matte finish, which makes sweeping and cleaning stained decks laborious. 

Ease Of Application

Staining is much easier than painting. Painting your deck can be quite time-consuming as well as labour intensive as there are several steps involved. Instead of doing it yourself, it would be helpful to let experts handle deck painting. 

Wrapping Up

Both painting and staining offer several advantages when it comes to improving the visual appearance and sturdiness of your deck. The decision between staining and painting should be based on the look and protection you want for your deck.