Is it Time for a Fresh Coat of Deck Paint?
If you’ve been enjoying your deck this summer, you might not feel inclined to inspect it too closely -- doing so might reveal flaws in its integrity and appearance, and investing in renovations might be the last thing you want to deal with right now. However, nothing changes the fact that your deck requires regular attention and maintenance. Ignoring these duties will eventually make it necessary to perform major repairs or replace your deck entirely for safety purposes.
If you don’t want to let the situation get this serious, it’s worth taking a close look at your deck and deciding whether or not it needs some care. A new coat of stain or paint might be all that’s required, but even this seemingly minor update can protect your deck for years to come while also enhancing its appearance. So, is it time for a fresh coat of deck paint? Here are some factors and signs to consider to help you answer this question.
Has it Been Several Years Since the Last Coat?
Generally speaking, most deck stains hold up for about 2-3 years before a new coating is required. Quality wood deck paint, on the other hand, can last as long as a decade if properly cared for. Of course, even a proper paint job can fade and peel over time due to environmental factors. So, consider how long it’s been since the last time you coated your deck, and whether or not it was stained or painted. If it was stained over three years ago, you should apply a new coat (of either stain or paint). And if it was painted over five years ago, carefully assess the current condition of the previous paint job before deciding whether a new coat is necessary.
Are You Looking to Update Your Deck’s Look?
The primary purpose of painting or staining your deck is to protect the underlying wood from harm, namely moisture, the sun’s UV rays, pests, and fungi. However, deck coatings also yield aesthetic benefits. As such, you might decide to apply a fresh coat of paint to your deck for purely visual reasons. Maybe you’re tired of the color of your deck, or you want to cover up the wood’s grain for a smoother, more uniform look. Whatever the case may be, this is a perfectly valid reason to paint your deck.
Keep in mind that it is much easier to paint over a previous deck stain job than vice versa (staining over paint). This is because paint is thicker than stain and rests on top of it, while stain is partly translucent and is meant to seep into the wood’s pores (which would be blocked by a previous paint job). In other words, if you wish to eliminate the painted look of your deck and stain it instead, this requires an extensive process and might not be feasible. Once you choose to paint your deck the first time, act as if this decision is permanent.
Is it the Right Time of Year to Paint Your Deck?
Before starting a new deck painting project, it’s wise to take the season, weather, and time of day into account. Most experts recommend tackling deck paint and stain projects in early or mid-Spring when the weather is generally moderate and humidity isn’t too high. That said, you can also perform deck staining or painting throughout the summer, though you’ll want to avoid excessively hot, sunny, and/or humid days (and, of course, look out for rain and high winds), as these conditions can affect the application and dry cycles of both paint and stain. One advantage of painting your deck in the Summer as opposed to Spring is that the days are longer, giving you or your contractors more time to get the job done.
As for Autumn, most people begin preparing their decks for Winter during the middle and end of this season. And Winter, of course, is not at all the time of year you’d want to renovate your deck.
Is Your Deck in Need of Some Summer Love?
Your deck is an important part of your property -- don’t take it for granted. If you want to get the most out of it this season and many more seasons to come, think about protecting it with a fresh coat of paint or stain. If you need help determining what’s best for your deck, look no further than Nash Painting’s deck staining services. To learn more about us, our services, and our values, call us at 615-829-6858 today!