Your Guide To The Best Deck Paint (2023)

Your deck can serve as a place to relax with friends, hang out with family, and enjoy the best of the season’s weather. Because this outdoor oasis is exposed to the elements all year long, you will need to protect it while ensuring that it’s always ready to impress. Deck paint is critical because it is specially formulated to tough out the elements, such as the sun, wind and rain.

Even better, they are made from acrylic, latex and rust-proof materials that work on all kinds of deck surfaces – metal, wood and stone. There are varieties of water, mold and mildew resistant paints suitable for pool decks and patios. Highly functional and aesthetically pleasing paints can provide an immediate face-lift that complements outdoor décor. Here’s a complete guide to choosing among the many deck paint options currently available.

There are many factors that affect the cost of deck paint. Prices range anywhere from $30 to $200 per gallon. The more additives paint has, the more expensive it tends to be. Lower end paints tend to be white or gray exterior paint. The higher end tends to have brighter colors, anti-skid, and advanced technology for fade resistance.

The cost to actually paint your deck depends on whether you plan to do it yourself or hire a pro. If you plan to hire a professional, expect to pay $2 to $5 per square foot, including beams, stairs and railings.

Deck paint can be used on outdoor surfaces. It can be used on your deck floor, railings and steps.

However, it should not be used on concrete pool decks, garage doors, interiors, pavement or stone patios. There are other exterior paints better suited to those surfaces. Read the instructions on the paint can carefully to be sure that the paint you select is suitable for your surface.

Pros:

• Protects the deck from the elements – sun, wind, rain, sand, UV rays and moisture
• Prevents wood from fading
• Prevents moisture damage, mold and mildew
• Visually appealing
• Complements exterior décor
• Enhances outdoor living space

Cons:

• Expensive and labor intensive to apply
• Color matching can be difficult
• Regular maintenance required
• May need to be paired with sealants or stains

Paint or Stain

It may be difficult to decide whether to paint or stain your deck. Painting offers both style and protection. The color variety is greater and the advanced features of anti-slip tread and UV blockers can add real value to the life of your deck.

Stain, on the other hand, adds appeal to natural wood grain. The look achieved from stain depends on the color and opacity of the stain. The more opaque the stain, the more protection it offers. You can choose from clear, semi-transparent or solid stains. Usually, it needs to be applied every two to three years. A polyurethane sealant helps protect the finish and provides moisture resistance.

Latex or Acrylic Water-Based Paint vs. Oil-Based Paint

Latex paints are flexible, so they tend to show less wear due to cracks and chips. They are also said to work well in hot climates. The downsides are that latex paint might show brush marks. And, when applied to wood, there could be swelling.

Water-based paints for decks are usually acrylic-based. They are easy to apply and have a shorter drying time than oil-based paints. The color varieties are what draw most people towards these paints, but they are only expected to last four to eight years before they’ll need a refresh.

Oil-based paints offer moisture protection, but are high in volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) that can cause eye and respiratory irritation. They are budget-friendly and cover more surface area per gallon than water-based paints. These paints are best to cover the surface of metals, like railings, porches and deck finishes. Cleaning the brushes and rollers will require a solvent, such as paint thinner or turpentine. You’ll need to be extra careful and use personal protective gear.

Size of the Deck

To calculate how many gallons of paint you will need, use a real tape measurer or an app built for the same purpose.

The largest area will be the deck floor, and this is relatively easy to measure for a rectangular deck. Multiply the width by the length for the square footage. According to design website Hunker, you can estimate about a gallon of paint will be needed for every 300 to 400 square feet. Add more paint according to the steps, railings and banisters in place. Assume you’ll need an extra gallon for touch ups – both immediate and longer-term.

Primers

Clean the deck and remove any splinters or damaged wood in the existing structure. Replace any warped or rotten wood, and sand any swelling. This offers a good base for a primer.

Although not every paint requires the use of a primer, deck primers add a solid white color as the base of any other paints used in the painting process. This is helpful when using colored paint to cover pre-existing dark wood or stain.

Drying Time

Primers can take up to four hours to dry. Paint can take anywhere from four to 24 hours to dry, depending on the type of surface, the type of paint, the outdoor temperature and the humidity.

Pay careful attention to the instructions and read the specifications on the paint to estimate drying time.

Durability

The durability of deck paint will depend on a number of factors. Generally, oil paint lasts between 10 to 15 years and water-based paint between four to eight. These numbers fluctuate based on whether the deck is a high traffic area, exposed to extreme heat or cold, or near corrosive elements like sea water, rock salt or tree sap.

Consider paying for the waterproof, mold and mildew resistant, and anti-slip features that offer greater protection for the deck and safety for the whole family – especially children and aging adults. These seemingly optional paint varieties can contribute significantly to the durability of the outdoor space.

Yes. When compared to leaving a wood or metal deck exposed to the elements, there’s no doubt that deck paint is worth the cost. It protects and preserves your deck surface. If you are still in doubt, try a small amount of deck paint on a discrete section of the deck and see how it stands up to the elements. Consider how long it takes for the color to fade and how easy it is to clean. Thereafter, decide if painting the whole deck or just a visible portion would be best for your outdoor needs.