If you're considering painting your deck, be mindful that experts are extremely opposed to this practice for a number of reasons.
Below, they delve into the risks associated with painting a deck, which include the presence of moisture, the fact that painted, high-traffic flooring can be difficult to maintain, and more, as detailed below.
Decks Retain Moisture
Many experts note that because a deck will retain moisture, it is not compatible with paint.
"Unlike the walls of your home, a deck lays flat horizontally, meaning it is easier for water to pool on your deck," Kelly Mardis, the owner of Marcel Painting. "Prolonged exposure to pooled water will cause the paint on your deck to crack over time."
Paint is likely to peel on a wood surface such as a deck, Doug Greene, owner and operator at Signature Properties, explains. Whether it's spruce, cedar, pine, or Douglas fir, Greene explains how they chip or bubble over time when it's applied on exterior applications like a deck.
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Paint Is High Maintenance
Painting your deck is going to take time and effort, and unfortunately, your hard work may quickly go unnoticed due to the normal wear and tear that any deck experiences. Unless you want to constantly be touching up your deck, you are better off leaving it unpainted, pros say.
Sallie Lord, the founder of GreyHunt Interiors, explains how although it may initially look amazing, it will begin to show scuffs and its fresh crispness after a year.
Mardis agrees and explains how you will use your deck often which can lead to people walking on it, guests dropping food, and outdoor furniture scraping it. It may be worth skipping the paint so you don't have to worry too much about touching it up. Even if your deck is in absolutely pristine condition at all times, paint isn't foolproof—it fades, too.
Painted Surfaces Are Slippery
Paint makes a surface more likely to become slippery when wet, so to ensure you are easily able to maneuver about the space, you are better off skipping the paint entirely.
"This can pose a safety hazard, particularly for decks that are often exposed to rain, morning dew, or humidity," Allison Kaminski, the lead designer at Lola Tucker Interiors, says. Instead of thoroughly enjoying your deck, you might find yourself constantly worrying about slipping, Kaminski says.
Paint Gets Hot
In addition to becoming slippery, paint also heats up depending on the color or enamel, which may make spending time out on the deck not so pleasant. Especially if you live in a warmer area and love spending time outdoors, it may be difficult to enjoy your time if your paint is on the darker side.
"This makes a quick trip across it with your bare feet intolerable," Greene says.
Staining a Deck Takes Just as Much Effort
As discussed above, painting a deck is no easy task, and you are better off redirecting your effort to staining your deck, which is a much more viable solution,
"Stains are much more reliable because they penetrate the wood to seal it, versus just sitting on the surface," Greene says. "This penetration means no layers that could peel or bubble up over time."
Plus, he adds, the cost to stain your deck is similar to the cost of painting it.
Greene explains how paint could actually be seen as more of an expensive undertaking.
"Paint is just an investment—once you paint, you must repaint and repaint," he says. "Think about it long and hard before you reach for the can of paint because it might turn into an annual painting of the deck."
Staining your deck, on the other hand, will last for three to five years. Jay Sanders, the owner of Castle Dream Construction & Basement Waterproofing, says. Sanders recommends using a stain with UV protection, so it doesn't fade easily. A stain will also help enhance the overall look of the wood, so maintenance will be easier and much more practical to take care of.