Paint vs. Stain: How Do You Choose?

If you are lucky enough to have a deck at your home, then you know how important it is to keep it looking its best and protect it from the elements. A wooden deck will quickly begin to deteriorate if it is not well maintained and so homeowners need to understand that regularly protecting their decks are important. If you have just built a new deck at your home or have one that needs a little TLC, then you may be wondering what kind of finish is best to protect it. Paint and stain are commonly used and while they both have their pros and cons as well as advocates who swear by them, it’s important to consider each one to see which will have the best impact on your deck.

All about Stain

One of the things that people love best about using stain on a deck is that it allows the natural grain of the wood to show through. While it is possible to use a darker stain that will obscure the attractiveness and appearance of the wood, the right color stain will enhance the color, texture, and grain of your deck very quickly. There are certain types of wood that really look amazing with the right stain on them, including cypress, redwood, and cedar. This is because the stain improves the appearance of the wood while protecting it at the same time.

Unfortunately, stain has to be stripped and then reapplied at a maximum of every three years, making it a very time-consuming choice. There are factors that come into play and can negatively affect the lifespan of the stain, including the weather, how often the deck is used, and the opacity of the stain. Solid colors will last longer but won’t showcase the wood as well.

Considering Paint

Paint is the other option to cover and protect your deck; when applied correctly and when high-quality paint is used, it can actually last up to a decade before needing to be reapplied. In addition, paint will protect your deck from UV rays and even moisture, ensuring that there won’t be problems with rot and mold. With so many different colors to choose from, it’s easy to find paint for the deck that will complement the color of the home or blend in for a seamless look.

If you have a gorgeous deck and want to show off the wood, then paint is not a great choice as it will cover up the grain and make all of the wood look the same. Paint can only be applied when the prior coat has been completely removed so there isn’t any problem with flaking as this will cause your new coat to not stick the way that it should.

Before trying to decide if you want to paint or stain your deck, you need to think about the beauty of the wood. If you want to showcase the grain, then choose stain, but if you are more interested in not having to finish your deck every few years, then paint is the obvious choice. It will last for a lot longer and provide a smooth and even finish that holds up well to bad weather, hot days, and a lot of use.