Outdoor decks

[jo_dad]

With the price of lumber so high I have a question.

For decking, (what you walk on, not the supports or posts), is it possible to not use treated wood and paint it instead? Is there a special paint for this purpose?

can you paint over treated wood?

Reason is I hate the way most decks fade over time.

Thanks

[drew725]

Painting regular wood isn't the best option as the water settles on the horizontal surface and eventually seeps under the paint causing damage to the wood and the paint to peel away. Also, decks I've seen painted also have the problem of wear marks from people walking, dragging the grill around, tables, etc.

If your looking for something that will not fade (appreciably) I'd suggest Trex or similar composite. It is a little more expensive but you'll more than make up the cost as it is maintenance free.

[TDHofstetter]

Like Drew, I'd discourage paint for decks - water gets under the paint and blisters it over time. Looks awful.

You CAN use a semi-opaque or opaque oil-based stain on PT decking, though.

-- Tim --


Eschew obfuscation.

[T_Connor]

I'm not sure if its in the online version, but the new issue of This Old House has a good little roundup of the various options for exterior stain. Gave me a few ideas for our porch that I wouldn't have had walking up and down the stain isles.

Cheers,
Tim

[Tom D]

I have been using a deck stain sold by HD, you can get it in semi-transparent or solid. I have been using the solid and it has worked out very well, it 100% acrilic latex so it seems more like a paint than a stain. I repaint it every 4 years, not because it wears out but it begins to look dull.