Pat Lanuke's Home Trends

Pat Lanuke

PAINTING OR STAINING A DECK With spring upon us, chances are you're looking at your outdoor space and creating a to-do list to spruce up the area. If you have a deck, one task might be to paint or stain it. Painting a deck can be purely cosmetic, as in you don't like the look of the wood and want it to match or coordinate better with your house or yard, or functional as in the current paint is chipping and peeling. Staining a deck helps preserve the natural look of the wood and prevents moisture damage whereas painting hides imperfections and protects against UV radiation which can also damage the wood. After choosing which option is best for you, keep these factors in mind: • You'll need to paint/stain on a sunny day with no chance of rain for about 24 hours as paint takes longer to dry in humid conditions. • Paint when the deck is in the shade as if it is in direct sunlight, it can dry too fast which causes it to look uneven. • Remove any current paint before applying more and then thoroughly wash and rinse the deck. After the deck is completely dry, you can begin to paint or stain. • For best results, you'll want to apply a coat of primer prior to painting and that takes anywhere from 1 to 4 hours to dry. Staining won't require a primer layer. • You may need multiple coats of paint depending on the colour you want, the state of the wood and drying conditions. • A final layer or sealant is recommended for both painted and stained boards for added protection from the elements.

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