We don’t know everything about anything, but when we don’t, we can learn it. Doing so becomes easier when you have an expert to teach you, which will be the mission of this blog regarding deck painting.
When you wish to improve your home, you start learning about multiple ways you can do it and how to implement them. For the exterior, if you are the proud owner of a deck, you may want to look at how to revamp it. That is where deck painting kicks in.
If you’ve never done it before, your mind may be flooded with questions. We will be answering the most common ones in this guide to ease you into it:
What Is Distinctive About Deck Painting?
Say you think changing the color of your deck is a good home improvement solution. Painting seems like something that doesn’t require too much science. Still, each painting project has its peculiarities and requires expertise. Getting deck painting right calls for two crucial factors.
First is the paint. Deck paint is different from regular paint because it has to resist the elements, foot traffic, and the constant movement from temperature changes. The other determinant factor is the procedure, which is very thorough and calls for special prepping. You can ensure both through deck paint services.
There are also other techniques to change a deck, such as staining. We cover more on that below.
How do you prepare your deck for painting?
We said that deck painting requires adequate prepping. If you are getting this service, make sure you’ve completed the necessary steps before:
- Identify the needed repairs like popped nails, missing boards, cracks, etc.
- Entirely removing the finishing from a previously treated deck with stain or paint
- The deck needs to be thoroughly cleaned and left to dry completely for two days.
- Sometimes, the deck will require sanding to even the surface.
It may seem challenging to ensure you get the right prepping for deck painting. But don’t feel discouraged. For instance, here in New Milford, at A&M Quality Painting, we paint, repair, and clean thanks to our carpentry and pressure washing services.
Is it better to paint a deck or stain it?
Deck painting may seem suitable, but since you also have the option to stain a deck, you may feel torn if you should paint or stain a deck. Don’t worry. We break down each of them. The rest is a matter of your preference:
Deck Painting
- Deck painting is both durable and versatile because it lasts almost a decade without refinishing when done correctly. Yet, you can change the paint and colors easier.
- Paint hides wood imperfections. If you are a fan of the natural look of wood, you may not find it appealing.
- A painted deck is easier to maintain, but the processes to apply it or remove it are more complex and with a higher cost than staining.
- Paint comes in various colors, which you can choose to match your home and decor’s color palette. Incorrect paint can chip or crack, so you need to select the correct type of wood deck paint.
Deck Staining
- While conserving the natural beauty of wood, it also shows its defects. If you are trying to hide imperfections in your deck, staining isn’t good for you.
- You can go from different wood tones and make it look like your favorite wood type. However, there aren’t other color tone options like blue per se.
- Stain penetrates the wood, unlike paint, which helps it resist chipping, cracking, and such defects. Still, even with sealant, it requires refinishing more frequently than paint.
- The sealant makes it resistant to water and UV rays, but the type of stain you use will determine its resistance to fading.
- Wood stain is permanent, good if you want it to last, but not so much if you like to change the look now and then.
How much does painting a deck cost?
Now that you know more about deck painting and what it can do, your curiosity regarding the price may have increased. Since it is charged per square footage, the size of your deck influences the cost considerably, but it isn’t the only factor. The previous condition of your deck and how damaged it is affects prepping costs. The type of materials chosen increase or decrease the budget.
Here in New Milford, the average cost of deck painting is $2 to $5 per square foot.
Everything Is Easier With An Expert
We said that deck painting requires adequate prepping. If you are getting this service, make sure you’ve completed the necessary steps before:
- Identify the needed repairs like popped nails, missing boards, cracks, etc.
- Entirely removing the finishing from a previously treated deck with stain or paint
- The deck needs to be thoroughly cleaned and left to dry completely for two days.
- Sometimes, the deck will require sanding to even the surface.
It may seem challenging to ensure you get the right prepping for deck painting. But don’t feel discouraged. For instance, here in New Milford, at A&M Quality Painting, we paint, repair, and clean thanks to our carpentry and pressure washing services.