Should You Paint or Stain Your Deck?

Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to this question. If you paint the railing, then you will refinish it on time. However, you would hide the wood's grain pattern, color, and texture. Stain it, on the other hand, would accentuate every characteristic, but you will be redoing the job sooner compared to the use of paint.

Overall, finishing the deck is important since unprotected wood left exposed to harsh weather elements get ugly fast. Wood absorbs water, making it warp, twist, crack as it shrinks, and swells. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun also breaks down wood’s lignin and discolors, bringing about more moisture and wood-decay fungi, which release enzymes that damage the wood fiber. Cedar that contains weather-resistant oils can also look rough after a few seasons.

Paintingyour deck gives it the best possible and long lasting protection against external elements. High-quality, water-based latex paints are more elastic than oil-based paints, with better moisture-fluctuation withstanding capabilities. The high solid ingredient in paints assists in forming thick, opaque films on surfaces that resist moisture, hide imperfections and blocks UV rays. When done well, the painted surface would last up to ten years before the need to repaint arises.

Nonetheless, painting is a challenging task, and you will need to prepare, preserve, and prime the wood first. Additionally, you need to know how brushes are used if you want the project to look appealing. Take note that paints and other film-forming finishes are not ideal for huge horizontal surfaces that receive too much wear like decks. Instead, use a penetrating finish product like a water-repellent stain.

If you stain your deck, do not expect the same long lasting impression you would get with paint. Stains penetrate deep into the wood, filling microscopic gaps that would absorb moisture. This assists in keeping the wood stable, but not as efficient as a paint's protective coating. The great news is that many stains are formulated with wood preservatives, to keep away mold and rot. However, stains are not ideal for blocking Ultra Violet Rays from the sun. Semi-transparent and transparent stains contain some pigment, offering a bit of Ultra Violet Ray-resistance; however, the clearer the stain is, the less protection you will get from UV-rays. The wood would fade after a few years.

Although all paints are resistant to UV, only solid-color stains provide comparable protection. Many near-opaque stains create a protective film on the surface just like paint, but are thinner and would not hide the wood's texture. Additionally, you can purchase them in different shades for the ease of matching your cedar's natural color. A solid-color stain may last from eight to ten years.

Finally, many homeowners find stains to be easier to apply as compared to paint, so even though you will refinish the deck more often, it would lesser work every time. Stains are more manageable, thinner, and less messy when compared to paints. The final decision would, therefore, depends on your unique preferences for using stain and paint.