Deck Staining and Painting Athens

Deck Painting and Staining Near Me

Deck painting and deck staining are standard maintenance done on decks. Whether you have a newly built deck that has yet to be coated or an older deck that needs a little TLC, painting or staining your deck is always a great way to add some life to your deck and backyard.

A deck is an excellent spot in your home to enjoy warm weather, family time, or even some alone time, and it is a great place to get some sunshine and still relax.

Most homeowners will add a deck to their house to add value, and more functionality, add livable space, and improve the overall looks of their backyard. Adding a deck to your backyard will turn a pedestrian backyard into a comfy, fun, and relaxing area. However, the design continues after the deck, and the deck still needs a layer of paint or some stain to give you a beautiful-looking deck. 

Painting Versus Staining a Deck

Wooden decks can be a great addition to your backyard. However, like all things, it will require some care from time to time to protect it from wear and tear and the elements. Protective coating for your deck is a crucial step in protection againt moisture and prolonging the life and beauty of your deck. Let's examine the pros and cons of staining versus painting and see which suits you.

Deck Stain Pros and Cons

Traditionally, staining is the way to go, and nothing quite beats the look of the freshly stained look of the grain and texture of a deck.

When you stain your deck, a thin film is formed on the wood's surface, reducing the wood's exposure to moisture. It also provides a thick coating that helps better protect against harmful UV rays from the sun but doesn't mask the natural beauty of the wood. A proper stain job will deeply penetrate the wood, thus protecting the wood decking from rotting damage.

Typically the average wood stain already contains preservatives, so you won't need to add primer because it will already stick to the wood. Also, when you use stain rather than paint, you can control the opacity of the stain. You can have a clearer, more transparent, or solid color stain. There are a few different stain styles, such as semi-solid or semi-transparent which will reveal more of the natural wood grain when staining.

Staining will usually leave a flatter finish, making the wood surface less slippery than if you were to use paint. Suppose you expect your deck to receive significant foot traffic. In that case, it is best to opt for staining rather than painting. Plus, staining is typically cheaper than painting. 

Stains have a few drawbacks that you'll want to take note of. Deck stains are limited to a few color options. Also, staining requires regular reapplication every one to two years to protect your deck from the elements adequately. 

Deck Paint Pros and Cons

One of the main advantages of using oil based paint over stain is the massive variety of colors you can choose from. For instance, if you want your deck to compliment your house colors, you can easily paint your deck to whatever color you desire. Stains, on the other hand, are limited to a few selections of colors. When choosing paint, you'll have a beautiful and vibrant color to compliment your house incredibly.

A painted wooden deck is easily maintainable and longer lasting than a stained deck. When your deck is painted correctly, and by professionals like us, you won't have to repaint for around a decade. That is roughly ten years of a beautiful deck! The thick paint will also hide the texture of the wood grain, which could be better for older decks where you wish to hide imperfections.

However, painting is not always the best option for your deck. For example, paint forms a thick layer on the surface of the wood, which is more prone to peeling from the expansion of the swelling of the deck boards. It won't usually hold up well against moisture and will lead to cracking.

Suppose a water puddle on the deck floor or the railings continuously forms after each rainfall. In that case, the areas where puddling occurs will be the first to start peeling over time. Paint also traps moisture inside the wood, eventually leading to rot. 

Removing paint from a wooden deck is often more strenuous than stain and will require more effort and labor. However, after removing all the paint, you do have the option to switch over to stain. 

Lastly, other costs are involved when it comes to painting your deck. The painting will have extra steps not required when staining your deck. A coat of primer is required before painting, and you will most likely need to apply multiple coats of paint. In most cases, you must use a wood preservative before painting.

To sum up, stained decks are cheaper; however, they're limited in color options, and stains will need to be reapplied every 1 to 2 years to prolong the life of your deck and reduce the risk of rotting wood. The painting will cost you a bit more, but the paint will last longer than the stain. (roughly ten years if done right) Plus, you can choose any color you desire when you decide to go with paint. 

With all that said, which choice is best for you? If you are still unsure, please call us, and we can help answer all your questions!