Painting vs Staining A Deck
Sam Lutz • June 9, 2015
The decision to stain or paint a deck can be a difficult one. One the one hand, painted surfaces are a solid color and feature none of the beauty of the original wood grain. Stained decks, on the other hand, have a natural appearance that allows them to blend in with the backyard landscaping. Aesthetically, these two options are so different that the right choice depends on the preferences of the homeowner. Which leads us to the question: which one is longer-lasting and better for the deck?
Durability: Which One is Better?
The answer varies depending on the expert. There are those who believe
that a properly painted deck, by sealing out moisture and completely protecting the wood, can outlast a stained deck by many years. According to these experts, a stained deck may last, at most, about 2 or 3 years, while a painted deck may last as many as 10.
On the other hand, there are others who say that a painted deck lasts much less time than a properly stained and sealed deck. The argument against paint in this case is that paint doesn’t allow the wood to breathe, and instead traps existing moisture inside the wood. As a result, the natural fluctuations in the wood’s size, caused by temperature and weather variations, will quickly cause the paint to crack and peel away from the wood. Stained wood is allowed to breathe and thus the finish stands up to the elements.
Process is Important
One thing the experts can agree upon is this: the process you use to stain or paint the deck is critical. Preparing the wood is just as important as the actual painting or staining process. To properly paint or stain your wood, follow these tips:
- Strip and clean the deck before painting or staining. Strip off any existing finishes and sand to remove loose wood.
- Countersink nails and screws, then fill the remaining hole with wood filler.
- If painting, caulk all the joints to seal the wood.
- If painting, apply a water-repellent preservative, then apply a primer.
- Paint or seal all surfaces of the wood, including the ends of all pieces of wood. If applying paint, use water-based latex. If applying stain, use a stain that contains a water-repellent preservative.
- Apply a second coat.
Resources
Whether you’re painting or staining a deck, these resources will help you get started in the process.
For more information about painting and staining, and for all the necessary supplies, stop in at Ace Paint and Unfinished Furniture. We’re happy to offer tips and get you started on the process!
There are all kinds of wooden furniture: modern, antique and everything in between. We’ve talked about style differences, but what about how it’s made and what it’s made of? Is there a large difference between the wood furniture of today and yesterday?
Colors are so fascinating. They make us feel, they help us express how we feel. The right colors can really set the mood in a room, or on an outfit. There’s a lot to color theory and what each of the colors mean. This St. Patrick’s Day we thought it’d be fun to explore a little about green.
One of the wonderful things about good wood furniture is that it doesn’t have to be merely functional. It can be beautiful as well. We’ve seen some amazing pieces made with wood stains that are more than just furniture, they’re works of art. So if you’ve got an old table, desk or other piece of wood furniture that needs jazzed up, why don’t you consider using some of our great stains to try one of these ideas.
What's your furniture style? Here’s a few of the more popular styles and the kind of look they give your home.
Wood is our most basic raw material used for creating furniture. Wood furniture is timeless, and the aesthetic options are endless. Let’s talk about a few today, shall we?
The 2010s saw an uptick in modern interiors, bringing in clean lines to decor and furniture, so what does the new decade have in store? Restyle your home for the new year with the latest trends.
Are they bright and bold? Wild and wacky? It’s a thrill for our industry to learn what the latest “in” colors will be each year, and they never disappoint. The color trends for 2020 include shades of green, blue and pink, and each have an inherent welcoming quality.
Holiday parties are part of the magic of the season, but the cleanup is a pain—especially when furniture is involved. Prevent disasters with a few tips on how to protect your furniture during holiday parties.
The holiday season has arrived, and soon every corner will be decked out in red and green. But have you ever stopped to think about what holiday colors mean?
Restaining an old piece of furniture with a new varnish color can go a long way, but first you need to remove the old stain color.