People who have a deck love their outside area. Decks can add value, curb appeal, and function like extra square footage in your home. Decks continue to grow in popularity, everywhere. Decks are a way to have a private outdoor space that belongs to you.
Finishing a newly designed deck or repairing an older one protect it from water and other hostile weather-related assaults like snow and ice and prolong its lifespan. Painting and staining a deck differ in terms of appearance, installation, and cost.
If your deck is made of a composite material, you will not have to paint or stain it! Between painting and staining, one is not “better” than the other. What you choose depends on your style, budget, and also what treatment your deck had previously. If your deck was previously painted, it will be easier to repaint it than to remove the paint to stain it.
Stain is more forgiving. If you don’t do a great job, or if the stain starts to wear off, you will not see it as much as old flaking paint. If you paint your deck, you can make it any color you want, but you have to keep doing it regularly or it will look terrible all the time.
What is important is that you do something to protect the wood rather than leave the untreated wood to the elements. Wood will weather and wear out eventually.
Stain is usually cheaper
Stain runs around 20 dollars to 35 dollars per gallon while exterior paint for decking ranges between 30 thirty dollars to 60 dollars per gallon.
Stain provides a neutral look
Wood that has been stained looks more natural and goes with any style. It looks more neutral, and some would say timeless.
Paint offers more variety
Paints are available in an unlimited number of colors. You can match paint to your siding or gutters or even use a contrasting color.
Stain is easier to Apply (usually)
You can stain your deck by hand with a brush or with a short or long roller. This does not take as much time or skill as painting does.
Deciding whether to paint or stain is a personal choice. One is not better than the other. Just decide on something so you do not leave your wood deck to the elements without any treatment.
Deck Experts, based in Surrey, BC, are professional deck builders with a long track record of success. We offer free estimates and long warranties, and can build or fix any deck around.
If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about decks, please call us at (604) 626-7100.
