What do you like to do outside? Maybe you love the great outdoors and hiking, biking, or camping is your idea of a good time. Or, maybe sticking a little closer to home and sitting on your back deck with your favorite cold beverage is up your alley. A deck, patio, or porch can be a fantastic way to catch a breeze or feel the sun on your face without having to go far. Unfortunately, however, what can be a real asset to a property can quickly turn into an eyesore (and a splinter factory) when time and weather work against it. And they will! So, if you choose not to re-stain your deck, you may be wondering how to paint a deck.
Painting the Deck
The disadvantage to deck painting is that the deck paint covers not just the bad, but the good as well. The bad, in this case, could be tired or weather-worn wood. The good is the natural grain and the rustic charm of the swirling knots. If the natural look is not on your priority list, painting the deck may be a great stylistic option for you-plus it provides solid protection. Before you begin your project, here are a few tips for painting your deck:
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Clean the surface – Think beyond a simple sweeping. Rent, borrow, or buy a power washer, and blast away the dirt, grime, and clinging contaminants that will literally get between the surface and your fresh deck paint.
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Strip the wood if necessary – Invest the time needed to remove layers of old, previous finishes.
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Sand – Sanding may be time consuming, but it will create a fresh, quality surface for your paint to adhere to.
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Watch out for nails! – Take a few minutes to pound in old nails, and fill any unnecessary holes with a quality wood filler.
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Prime and paint! – A high-quality, water-based latex paint is a great option as it is flexible and will withstand the expanding and contracting that exterior wood experiences.
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Paint all surfaces – While it may be tempting to paint only the most visible portions of the wood to save time, it is always best to do it well the first time.
Or, Ask a Professional Painting Service!
As much fun as exterior painting can be, a professional painting company can help to make short work of any painting project you might have. At the very least, they can help you to make the right decisions for your property, or maybe provide some color and style consultation to point you in the right direction.