New deck and railings, should I paint, stain, or just seal? Help!
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We just completed our new deck. Hooray! We did a little at a time. My dilemma is that I'm not sure about the finish. There are so many good looks out for this project. With so many finishes out there, our home has a neutral color of tan siding. I feel that after the deck/railings are complete, we can then move on to furniture, planters and etc. Really Need Your Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
17 answers
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My advice to you is never use a paint on decks . It eventually peels creating so much more work. Decks in general are a lot of work,however I would choose a good stain which is a lot easier to remove then paint.Make sure it has a stain and sealer in one.
![Janet Pizaro]()
Janet Pizaro
on Jun 15, 2016
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If you want the natural look of the wood, just seal it. If you want a different color, use a semi transparent stain. It will add color and still show the grain. DO NOT PAINT, as Janet suggests!
![William]()
William
on Jun 15, 2016
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True. Wait for at least one year before staining and sealing.
![William]()
William
on Jun 15, 2016
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Looks like a great time to use Unicorn Spit. I would paint the rails (whatever color you like) and then use an oil based sealant on everything.
![Pamela Robertson Pullmann]()
Pamela Robertson Pullmann
on Jun 15, 2016
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Look at your house. Do you want your deck to stand out or do you want it to blend in? If you want it to blend in, then I would paint the rails white and seal the walk way. If you want it to stick out, then I would stain it with a darker stain.
![Lori Schrader]()
Lori Schrader
on Jun 16, 2016
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You got a boat now. Think of your deck as a boat, in and out of water . Use a 'marine' product to protect it. I prefer varathanes. Most 'deck products' are made to have you re-buy them every few years. And they are expensive and lots of work. Ahoy, you got a boat!
![Johnchip]()
Johnchip
on Jun 16, 2016
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I would seal in a dark tone. So many of my neighbors that have painted their decks have had them peel.
![Brenda]()
Brenda
on Jun 16, 2016
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Use FLOOD semi transparent-you have to do it every 2 yrs or so but well worth it. I have been using it on my deck for about 20 yrs.
![Cindi]()
Cindi
on Jun 16, 2016
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I like the natural look. Seal with Thompson's water seal. It lasts about 2 years then you can powerwash & do it again. If you keep it up, it will always look new!
![Deb2349588]()
Deb2349588
on Jun 16, 2016
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I would definitely just seal it. Paint peels and always looks bad. Then it's sanding and scraping and painting all over again!! Never looks right. When doing planters -- keep in mind how much the flowers to fill them are going to cost and go from there as to how many and how big. Been there, done that!!!
![She7067237]()
She7067237
on Jun 16, 2016
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We used "Super Deck" stain on our bridges, wishing wells, planters, benches, etc, that we build for our friends and neighbors. (Cedar color) The stain needs to be reapplied every year, but our items look new - year after year. Check it out on our blog: http://www.handcraftedbygeorge.blogspot.com. This is what we'd use on our deck.
![Linda Johnson]()
Linda Johnson
on Jun 16, 2016
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By all means put on water seal. A cheap 1 gallon pump up sprayer will do the job well.
![Donna]()
Donna
on Jun 16, 2016
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Whatever you do DO NOT PAINT IT AS IT LOOKS SO UNNATURAL. cheers
![Robyn]()
Robyn
on Jun 16, 2016
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Just leave it and wash in the late spring with a STRONG bleach and water solution. Add a little dish soap so it will sudd (bubble?) a bit just so you know where you have done it. Thompsons works OK but you still have to wash. Do the bleach thing, let it sit and hope for rain the next day. If no rain you may want to hose it off, I never do but in the Pacific NW rain is sure to do the work at least once a week. Maybe Thompsons on the railing uprights. I use boiled Lynnseed oil diluted with paint thinner so it spreads easy. Being lazy I dilute enough to be able to spray it with a garden sprayer or even a squirt bottle. If you decide to stain or paint it will come off in flakes. And rot. The water will get in the wood from the bottom unpainted side and not be able to get out through the paint. It will try and = peeling paint/stain. some won't make it out = rot. Me and my neighbor put up decks at the same time, He painted (it looked great for a while) - I did not. Three years later he was replacing his 2x6's they where rotten. Mine are still good 12 years later.
![Del]()
Del
on Jun 16, 2016
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I agree with Del. Let it dry first if it's pressure treated.
![Just John]()
Just John
on Jun 16, 2016
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Down in Florida, I'd bind all my 2x4's, 2x6's together, both ends and lay them on the pool deck; rotating them often so that they would dry straight and flat.
![Just John]()
Just John
on Jun 17, 2016
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I agree with Del. The moment you put stain on it, you're committed for life. If you do not mind letting it age to grey... Let it go until spring at minimum for curing sake. My architect husband never stained our outdoor furniture or decks, used oil on the furniture, they aged to grey. BTW: I've read horrible reviews about Thompson water seal.
![Adele Kurtz]()
Adele Kurtz
on Sep 29, 2016
Janet Pizaro
on Jun 15, 2016
William
on Jun 15, 2016
Pamela Robertson Pullmann
on Jun 15, 2016
Lori Schrader
on Jun 16, 2016
Johnchip
on Jun 16, 2016
Brenda
on Jun 16, 2016
Cindi
on Jun 16, 2016
Deb2349588
on Jun 16, 2016
She7067237
on Jun 16, 2016
Linda Johnson
on Jun 16, 2016
Donna
on Jun 16, 2016
Robyn
on Jun 16, 2016
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