The answer to this question really depends on what features you’re looking for in your finish.
Do you want a natural-looking deck, or a colorful one? Do you have a big budget for this project, or a small one?
Would you rather avoid maintenance as much as possible? Are you willing to put in the extra work for the finish you want?
These questions will help you determine which finish is right for you.
Check out this guide to find out whether staining or painting is better for your deck.
Which is Cheaper Up Front?
Staining your deck is way cheaper up front than painting. Although the price per gallon is about the same for both, painting your deck includes many additional costs that staining doesn’t.
First of all, a deck painting job usually needs more coats applied than staining does. Painting also requires that you apply wood preservative and primer to the deck prior to painting. You’ll need to purchase a few gallons of these as well.
So, if you’re on a tight budget, but you need to protect your unfinished deck, forget the rest of this list and go with a stain.
Which Lasts Longer?
That said, the longevity of your deck finish still factors into the long-term price. In terms of longevity, paint lasts several years longer than wood stains.
A single application of paint (done properly) should last at least ten years or more. An application of wood stain might last eight years, or just one. While painting your deck costs far more in the short term, it might save you in the long run.
This depends on factors like the quality of the wood stain and the harshness of the weather. If you have to reapply the stain every year, it’s probably cheaper to paint
Which is Easier to Apply?
Whether painting or staining, you must prepare your deck appropriately. You must thoroughly clean the deck before applying and make any necessary repairs.
Then, if you’re staining, that’s it! Your preparations are complete and you’re ready to apply the stain.
If you’re painting, you still must treat the deck with wood preservative and then apply a coat of primer. When you start painting, you’ll want to apply at least two coats of paint before you call it done.
Painting is a much more extensive process than staining. Not only does painting require more steps, but it’s also much more time-consuming. Remember, wait for each of these coats to dry before applying another.
Which is Easier to Maintain?
For many reasons, paint is easier to maintain.
When the paint dries, it forms a smooth, slick, flat surface. That means dirt and debris will easily slip right off it when swept away with a broom.
Stains, however, don’t coat the wood; they soak into it. So stained wood keeps every bit of the wood’s original texture – every crack, pore, and splinter. This gives dirt and debris more places to hide, so stained decks will have to be washed once in a while.
That causes another problem: wear and tear. If you are too harsh in cleaning your stained deck, scrubbing hard or power washing, you’ll wear it down or even damage it.
Remember, your stained deck will wear out faster than a painted one, regardless. That’s even if you are careful while maintaining it. No matter what, the stain will have to be reapplied more often than paint.
Which Looks Better?
As always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Neither painting nor staining is guaranteed to look the best for every deck, every time.
However, the appearance of each has specific advantages over the other, depending on your circumstances. Here are some general guidelines of when painting or staining will look the best.
When Staining Looks Better
Wood stains are made specifically to bring out and enhance the natural beauty of your wood. What that means is if your wood is ugly to begin with, there’s not much a stain can do to help. Every crack and flaw will remain visible after staining.
If you have gorgeous wood, a stain will showcase its natural beauty. Choose any color and opacity you like that will accentuate your wood’s handsome features.
The bottom line is that stained wood will still look like wood. If the natural wooden look doesn’t mesh well with the style or color scheme of your home’s exterior, don’t go with a stain.
When Painting Looks Better
For any look other than natural wood, go with paint. It gives you plenty of options, any color you want!
Paint hides ugly wood. Thick, numerous coats of paint will cover flaws, fill in dents and cracks, and conceal just about every imperfection of your wood. If you have cheap, unattractive, or weather-worn wood, hide it under a thick coat of paint.
Which Offers Better Protection?
Both painting and staining protect your deck from harmful weather, UV rays, and moisture/rot. However, since paint completely seals the wood off from everything (sun, moisture, pests, fungus, etc.), and it lasts longer, paint offers greater protection.
On the other hand, there are many choices of wood stains with varying levels of protection. Some have extra UV protection, and most include fungicide.
Your own safety is a different story. Painted wood is more slippery than the rough finish of stained wood, especially when it gets wet. Therefore, a painted deck is more likely to be a slipping hazard.
What if You’re Not Sure?
Believe it or not, this is an easy decision to solve. If you’re having trouble deciding between painting and staining, just stain the darn thing.
Your deck needs to be finished one way or another, and staining lets you change your mind later. A stained deck can be easily painted over at any point.
Painting is more or less permanent. Undoing a paint job means scraping it all off and sanding, or altogether replacing, your deck.
A deck left unfinished will quickly come to ruin.
Paint vs. Stain: Which is Better for You?
Hopefully, you’ve learned all you need to know about paint vs. stain when it comes to your deck. If not, or if you have any other questions please reach out to us.
For more home improvement tips, read our guide on removing vs. painting over wallpaper.
Using these tips you should have no problems finding the right exterior painters and will certainly save time, money, and headaches in the future. If you would like to receive a free quote, please contact us today!