Painting vs Staining: Which Is Right for Your Deck?
Since a deck is exposed to the elements, it’s going to lose its luster faster than other painted objects around your home. You’ll be re-painting or re-staining it more often. So, which is better for your deck, staining or painting?
Of course, it’s really a matter of personal preference, with pros and cons to both.
1. Deck Staining
The key aspect of staining is that you can select a color that brings out the wood tones of your deck by enhancing the grain of the wood, or a color that changes the look of your deck while still allowing the wood grain to show. The point of staining is to preserve the wood while protecting it from the elements. You can choose anything from a translucent stain which brings very little change to the color to an opaque stain which transforms the deck completely while still protecting it.
Also, you can stain a deck indefinitely. Whenever it’s starting to look a little faded or weathered, another coat of stain fixes it up fast and affordably.
The big downside to staining is that it doesn’t last as long as paint. You’ll likely be re-staining your deck every 2-3 years if you go that route. Also, not all wood types work with all stains, so you will probably want to consult with a professional deck staining company to ensure your plans will work.
2. Deck Painting
The big benefit to deck painting is, of course, that you can transform your deck to be any color you like, and the paint will last longer than stain. This can be a great way to spruce up the look of your yard or repaint the deck to complement your current house colors. Paint is thicker than stain and will better hide imperfections in your deck.
However, paint can be more expensive and time consuming than staining – as more prep work may be involved in preserving the underlying wood before applying the paint. This may not be an issue, but it’s worth considering if you’re on a budget. Also, paint has a tendency to crack and peel when exposed to sunlight or extreme temperatures, so this may not be the best option if your deck is in direct sun or exposed to moisture for most of the day.
Make Your Deck Look Great with C.E.T. Painting
C.E.T. Painting has a long history of helping Westchester County homes look great inside and out. If it’s time for your deck to get a new look or a professionally installed stain, we’re here to help! Contact us to schedule a free estimate.