The Ultimate Guide to Painting Your Deck
With the right tools, a little research, and a lot of enthusiasm, maintaining your deck yourself is pretty straightforward. Below is a comprehensive guide to painting your deck, including the best time to paint your deck, a step-by-step guide to deck painting, and when to call in the experts. Let’s get started.
What is deck painting?
Deck paint is a type of deck finish that provides a protective coating to the deck surface. A properly painted deck protects against weather damage and general wear and tear. When done correctly, painting your deck will significantly extend the deck’s lifespan.
Why should I paint my deck?
Your deck is the foundation of your outdoor space. Patio furniture and decor will come and go, but a well maintained deck can last 30 years or more – that’s incentive to protect your deck.
Painting vs. Staining – which is better?
Aesthetic differences aside, painting is a much more durable and protective deck finish than staining. It provides longer-lasting protection and requires less frequent maintenance.
Staining refers to a method of finishing that displays the wood grain. This method is only appropriate for bare, unpainted wood. The stain is applied in multiple coats to penetrate the wood and then sealed. Even with multiple coats, deck stain is thin compared to deck paint, and is more susceptible to mould and UV damage. If you need help with painting and staining, you can Schedule a Handyman here.
How often should you paint your deck?
Most decks should be refinished every 2-3 years to ensure maximum protection. Some high-quality paints can last up to 5 years, if applied correctly.
Other factors that will impact the frequency of painting include:
- Climate and weather events
- Quality of previous paint job and supplies used
- Amount of foot traffic
The best way to know if your deck needs repainting is to inspect it regularly. You’re looking for any signs of peeling paint, bubbles, or cracks. If you see warped or rotting wood this is likely an indication that part of your deck needs to be replaced.
When should you paint your deck?
The best time to paint your deck is when temperatures are mild and humidity levels are moderate. In Canada, the best time to paint your deck is usually late spring or early fall. But with weather becoming increasingly unpredictable, the exact point of the season may vary.
Check the weather forecast for a period that meets all three of these conditions:
- Temperatures are between 10°C and 30°C
- Humidity levels are between 40% and 70%
- There is no rain forecasted for at least 48-72 hours (you want to ensure the deck is completely dry when you start and provide adequate drying time in between coats of primer and paint.)
Because direct sunlight can affect the adhesion of the paint, the best time of day to paint your deck tends to be early morning or late afternoon. Bonus points if you can paint on an overcast day or when the deck is completely shaded.
A step-by-step guide to painting your deck
- Gather your supplies
- Set yourself up for success with a high-quality primer and paint. Make sure the paint is manufactured specifically for decks and is mold and mildew-resistant with UV protection.
- Brushes and rollers.
- Paint tray.
- Deck cleaning supplies (check your paint to see if they suggest a specific cleaning product or method).
- Wire brush and paint scraper.
- Power sander (required for rough areas of the deck, see below).
TIP: If you are painting over old deck paint, find out whether the existing paint is oil or water-based. Ideally, you want to use the same type of paint for the best, long-lasting results.
- Prepare your deck
- Thoroughly clean the deck, removing dirt, debris, mould, and mildew.
- Use the wire brush to dislodge loose paint. Follow up with the paint scraper.
- Sand rough areas to ensure proper paint adhesion, safety, and clean appearance.
- Hose down and allow to dry completely.
TIP: We know it’s tempting but do not use a power washer to prep your deck. Yes, they’re great for dislodging dirt but there’s a good chance they could take a few chunks of your deck with it – and paint won’t fix that!
- Apply primer
- When the deck is completely dry, apply your primer in an even coat.
- Allow to dry completely before applying paint.
- Apply paint
- When the primer is completely dry, apply your paint in a thin, even coat. For optimal adhesion and durability, you’ll want to apply multiple thin coats (as opposed to one thick coat). 2 or 3 should do it.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying times between coats and before using the deck.
- Enjoy!
TIP: Don’t let your hard work go to waste! Extend the life of your paint job with regular cleaning and touch-ups.
Deck painting: when to call a professional
There’s no one more motivated than the dedicated homeowner! With proper research, the right tools, and quality supplies, what you can achieve is amazing.
However, if, at any point of the process, you feel unsure or unsafe, there’s no shame in calling in a professional handyman. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to your home.
Call an expert if:
- There is extensive damage to your deck. A paint job won’t fix rot or structural issues. Get a free estimate for your deck repair.
- You have limited time or resources. Your time is valuable and sometimes a DIY job just isn’t worth the stress. Why spend a week doing something that a professional can do in half the time? Why buy expensive equipment you’re only going to use once?
- Your deck is multi-level or has a unique design. With the right time, tools, and skills, painting a deck is fairly straightforward. But a multi-level wrap-around porch on the second story? That’s a bit complicated (and dangerous) for DIY.
- You don’t want to. Hey – there’s a reason you’re not a professional deck painter. It’s not your thing! Even if you do manage to drag yourself to the hardware store and back, when your heart isn’t in it, it shows.
We genuinely love what we do. Don’t force yourself to DIY just because you feel like you should. We’re here to help! Schedule a handyman now.
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