Should You Paint or Stain Your Deck? A Guide for Hamilton Homeowners
Decks are one of the best places to enjoy the summer sunshine. While summer is the ideal time to stain or paint your deck, it can also be a hectic time for most people. Because of this, hiring a professional painting contractor to complete your deck staining project may be the easiest solution. Staining and painting your deck helps protect the decking material and helps prolong the life of your deck.
Before hiring a professional painting contractor to complete your deck project, it is beneficial to know what to expect. Painters Hamilton can provide you with the information to help you understand the process of deck repair, and deck staining or painting.
The Difference Between Painting and Staining Your Deck
There are two main options when redoing your deck, either staining or painting it. Like any two substances, there are differences between them.
Deck Appearance
Stain provides a more natural look to your deck. It shows the grain and textures of the wood. If you are looking for a rustic or natural look, a stain is a way to go. On the other hand, paint provides a wide variety of colors and textures. Paint covers the entire surface of the wood and can give your deck a more modern, less natural look.
Paint/Stain Application
Additionally, the application process is different for both medians. The stain may take less time to apply because stain can be applied to the wood without a primer. Stain is easy to apply as it goes on more thinly and evenly than paint. Depending on the type of stain, it may only need to be applied in one coat.
Painting a deck is often more complex. Paint can take longer to dry than stain, especially if you’re required to add multiple coats of paint. Before paint can be applied to the deck, a coat of primer must be applied first. Some decks may require a layer of wood preservative as well. In most cases, a painted deck will need more than one coat of paint to properly cover and seal the wood.
Even though the process of painting a deck takes more time, paint on the surface of a deck typically lasts longer than stain. Paint is more durable than stain. Paint typically lasts ten years before needing a new application. Stain, on the other hand, lasts up to eight years.
Potential Problems
Both deck paint and deck stain can be prone to problems over time. Stains can become discolored from exposure to the sun. Paint can chip or peel from this exposure. Touch-ups will have to be done to maintain the deck’s appearance, whether stain or paint is used.
Cleaning
As with touch-ups, decks need the occasional cleaning. When it is time to do so, which is easier to clean, a painted deck or a stained deck? Paint dries a little slicker and smoother than stain. Because of this, a painted deck is easier to clean. Dirt is more easily swept away, whereas dirt more readily adheres to the texture of a stained deck. To keep a painted or stained deck in the best shape possible, it will need to be deep cleaned at least once a year to remove any accumulated dirt, mold, or mildew.
Deck Painting Preparations
It is essential to make an informed decision about whether you want to paint or stain your deck. No matter which finish you choose, Painters Hamilton can apply it for you.
Whether you choose to have your deck painted or stained, preparations will need to be done to the surface before it can be applied. Preparation is an essential step in the process. If the proper steps to prepare the area and surfaces are not taken, it may result in the paint or stain not adhering correctly or may cause it not to last as long as it should.
First, the deck will need to be cleared. If possible, you can do this beforehand. This saves time when our crew comes to work. Next, your deck will need to be cleaned. Any peeling paint, dirt, mold, and mildew will need to be removed. If it has previously been painted, the paint may need to be scraped, and some parts may need to be sanded.
Our certified painters know the correct way to clean your deck to prepare it for either application you choose. After your deck has been scrubbed, it must dry before any paint or stain can be applied. If not, the paint or stain may not adhere properly to the deck. Once all the preparations are done, the paint or stain will be applied.
Our professional painting contractors know the perfect conditions for completing your deck refinishing project. You can remove all the guesswork out of your deck update project by hiring us to do the job. Painters Hamilton will keep you informed during the process of painting or staining your deck. We strive to provide peace of mind for our customers while work is being done on their property. Contact us today with all your deck painting and staining questions and to get a free estimate for your home’s deck.