An outside deck area can be one of the most welcoming, enjoyable areas of your home. If you’re looking to freshen up your deck’s look, you may be wondering, is it better to stain or paint pressure treated wood? The answer depends on a few factors, and in this blog post, we’re breaking them all down so you can decide whether deck stain vs. paint is best for your home’s outdoor living space.
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Deck Stain vs. Paint
Choosing between deck stain vs. paint for your exterior wood depends on several factors, including the location of the wood on your home, the type of wood used, the current condition of the wood, your climate, and your personal preferences.
It’s important to consider if it is new or bare wood and whether it’s already been stained or painted. Are you in a region with harsh weather? Is your deck in a shaded, protected area? Are you looking to preserve the wood’s natural grain or cover it up with a solid color? Before we dive in, it’s important to first understand the differences between deck stain vs. paint.
What Is Deck Stain?
Deck stain is a special type of coating that is made specifically for exterior wood decks to protect them from moisture, sunlight, and the outdoor elements. Deck stain not only protects the wood, but it enhances its appearance. Unlike paint, deck stain penetrates deep into the fibers of the wood, adding a protective barrier against water, UV rays, and other environmental and weather factors that can harm your wood over time or cause it to fade. There are a ton of different deck stain colors and finishes, so you can choose one that matches your style and the needs of your wood. Deck stain tends to peel and chip less over time than paint does, making it easier to maintain.
For more tips on choosing the best deck stain color for your home, check out this blog post. We also shared our favorite deck stain products for pressure treated wood here on the blog.
What Is Deck Paint?
Deck paint is also a type of coating designed specifically for exterior wood decks to protect them from the harsh outdoor elements and enhance their appearance. While deck paint still adds a protective barrier against water, UV rays, and other factors, it doesn’t penetrate deep down into the wood like deck stains do. It is usually thicker than deck stain, so it creates a solid coating on the outside surface of the wood, creating that barrier on top of the wood surface.
Where deck stain preserves the look of the natural wood grain, deck paint covers the wood with its solid finish. Like deck stains, there are a variety of deck paint colors and finishes. Just keep in mind that deck paint will peel and chip more often than deck stain, so maintenance will require a bit more touch-ups than deck stain.
Is It Better To Stain or Paint Pressure Treated Wood?
When considering whether it is better to stain or paint pressure treated wood, keep in mind that painting your deck will leave a thicker, more protective barrier on the wood’s surface. This is typically more durable than deck stain, which can be beneficial if your deck sees high traffic.
However, if you’re looking to preserve the natural beauty of the wood or you live in a climate that has a lot of harsh weather, you may opt for deck stain. It will preserve the natural wood grain and protect the wood without requiring as much maintenance as deck paint.
What Lasts Longer on a Deck: Stain or Paint?
Both deck stain and deck paint can last for several years if the surface is prepped properly and the coating is applied correctly. Again, the longevity will depend on the weather, traffic, and overall condition of your wood. If your wood is in good shape, paint may last longer in terms of durability with the thicker protective layer. However, it’s more likely to chip and peel over time, requiring touch-ups and reapplication. Deck stain may need to be reapplied more often, but it won’t peel and chip like paint does.
Is It Better To Stain or Paint a Porch Railing?
If you’re also looking to update your porch railings, the decision of deck stain vs. paint is similar to that of your deck. Paint will give the railings a uniform color and thicker layer of protection, but again, chipping and peeling will occur more often. Stain will enhance the railing’s natural wood texture, but will need to be reapplied as it ages to keep it looking fresh.
Can I Put Deck Stain Over Paint?
If your deck is already painted, you cannot apply deck stain directly over top of the paint. Since the paint creates a solid barrier, it will prevent the stain from soaking deep into the wood. To stain a previously painted deck, you’ll have to strip the paint, sand it down to bare wood, and then apply the stain in order for it to penetrate deep into the wood grain. If you’re looking for tips on staining a previously stained deck, you can check out this blog post for the step-by-step instructions.
Deciding between deck stain vs paint can be tricky, but with these tips and the breakdown of the differences between stain and paint, we hope it makes your decision easier. Whether you decide to go with deck stain or paint, we’d love to help you bring your deck to life with a fresh new coating.
Reach out to us via our contact page to schedule a free estimate with our team of professional painters today!
