Should I use stain or paint stain on my new deck that is made of treat

Hi Lynda,

I found a previous Hometalk discussion about this topic. There are some good ideas there and also a caution. With pressure treated wood, you should let it age for a year. In addition, paint does have a tendency to peel so if you like the color of the wood, just seal it. If you want it darker, stain then seal it. Click below to read the full discussion. Wishing you the best.

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/exteriors/q-new-deck-and-railings-should-i-paint-stain-or-just-seal-help--17615907

I would use semi transparent stain, it will penetrate the wood and last longer.

Stain is absorbed by the wood giving better protection. Paint sits on top of the wood and can peel off.

Paint has a tendency to peel

Pressure-treated wood can be quite wet so a drying out period is a good idea. And, because pressure treated wood is wet it can sometimes warp as it dries. Blame the wood not the carpenter.

When you decide to stain start with a semi-transparent stain, then apply a UV and water-resistant sealer twice a year if possible. As your deck ages changing to a solid-color stain will protect the wood better and hide the signs of aging. Here is an article that gives a lot of detail. http://starcraftcustombuilders.com/deck.handbook6.htm