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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor
