Choosing the best paint for your deck is a lot more complicated than it sounds. Sure, just like any other homeowner, you want a paint that will make your deck look absolutely beautiful.
When it comes to deck paints there are many more considerations for you to think about. Deck paints aren’t just about the looks, they’re also about protecting your precious deck against the elements, like rain, humidity, and the sun’s intense UV rays.
That being said, here are our reviews on the 5 best paints for your deck.
Table of Contents
Best Deck Paints To Buy
In The Swim Patio and Deck Paint - Best Deck Paint Overall
With the patio and paint deck by In The Swim, you’ll turn your deck into a totally non-slip surface. All it takes is two coats, and you’ll have a brand new deck that you and your family can enjoy. Being a non-slip surface is essential, especially if you’re near a pool and have kids running around. This type of feature will protect your kids whenever they set foot on our deck.
The product itself is a water-based acrylic non-slip coating. It’s designed especially for concrete decks. Since it’s water-based, it’s also much friendlier to the environment. There aren’t any fumes or strong smells that you have to worry about your family inhaling.
Applying this product onto the deck surface is such a breeze too. It will still adhere properly even to damp surfaces so you don’t have to wait for your deck to dry off first. It can also be used to restore concrete surfaces.
Depending on the temperatures around your house, it’ll take about 24-28 hours for this paint to cure before you can walk over it.
KILZ Porch & Patio Floor Paint - Best Deck Paint For Sprayer
KILZ has been in the business for over 40 years and has even been named Paint Brand of the Year in 2015. Living up to the standards, their porch & patio floor paint offers loads of protection against cracking, peeling, fading, and more.
It’s an acrylic-based paint that will give your deck an enamel surface with a mildew-resistant film right at the top. This deck paint will work well for decks that have already been primed and even painted in the past, regardless if the surface is made of wood or even masonry.
The KILZ Porch & Patio Floor paint only needs one hour to dry to the touch. Applying it is super easy with a brush, paint sprayer, or any other paint applicator. With this paint, you can apply a second coat in just 4-6 hours after the first one.
It also works well on trim, siding, and trellises. It’s a must-buy if you’re painting your deck and want a quality finish.
Rust-Oleum Topside Paint
Rust-Oleum is a name that’s known and trusted worldwide. The company has been producing top paints and coatings since 1921, which are used for both domestic and industrial applications. Rust-Oleum Topside paint can be used on surfaces like fiberglass, wood, and metal. Even when you’re done painting your deck with it, you could also use whatever leftovers to paint other surfaces.
Unlike the previous deck paints on this list, this one is oil-based. That gives it added flexibility and also makes it easier to apply on the deck.
UV resistance is one of its top qualities, so intense sun rays won’t damage your deck as easily, and neither will other forms of extreme weather.
If your top priority is to keep your deck protected, this is definitely a product you’ll love. You won’t have to worry about peeling, chipping, or even cracking with the Rust-Oleum Topside Paint.
The application process for this paint is also pretty easy. After putting on one layer using your paint tools, all you need is 1-2 hours for it to be safe to touch. As it dries, it’ll have a glossy finish that’ll last a long time.
Now that we covered the top paints, let's go over the best stains.
DEFY Extreme Semi-Transparent Wood Stain
One thing that’s certain about the DEFY Extreme Semi-Transparent Wood Stain is that it’s all about durability.
Part of that durability comes from how it’s fortified with zinc nano-particle technology which essentially reflects UV rays from the sun helping protect your deck.
In terms of aesthetics, this top of the line wood deck stain gives your deck a natural matte finish. It’s made of high-quality resins that provide protection against fading and darkening. It will last a season or two longer than most of the competitors out there.
On top of that, this stain is incredibly easy to maintain. When the time comes for you to apply another layer for maintenance, you won’t have to strip or sand the surface. All you have to do is paint it right over the existing layer.
It’s environmentally friendly, and it’s 250 VOC compliant which means that you won’t have to worry about any toxic fumes or smells.
Cabot Wood Toned Deck & Siding Stain
The Cabot Wood Toned Deck and Siding Stain is a deep-penetrating wood stain that produces a beautiful oil finish that is translucent. In other words, it doesn’t actually cover your wooden deck. Instead, it brings out the deck’s natural wooden beauty. This product will also work well on your siding, fences, and trim.
The Cabot Wood Toned Deck and Siding Stain is low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). This essentially means there are no strong paint smells or fumes when you use this product making the application process much safer for you.
With this product on your deck, you’ll turn the surface water-repellent and also fade-resistant. These are two great qualities to have in a deck. Being water repellent means that you won’t have to worry about water damage caused by weather like rain and snow. At the same time, fade-resistance implies that you won’t have to reapply a new maintenance coat so soon.
How To Choose The Right Deck Paint For You
There are plenty of deck paint options for you to choose from. Choosing the right paint is just as important as when you're choosing a paint for a roof or choosing one for your walls. Selecting the right one for your particular needs like the color and texture can be made simple. Here are the things you should consider before buying deck paint:
- The color: It’s essential to choose a paint that will protect your deck but before that, it’s also crucial to choose the right color. After all, you don’t want to end up with a color that clashes with everything else around it. Instead, you’ll want to choose one that you’ll be happy to look at every day.
- The deck’s material: What’s your deck made of? Wood? Concrete? You’ll need to find a deck paint that works with that material. Be sure to read the fine print on the can of deck paint to confirm that it’ll go well with your deck’s current material.
- Your local weather conditions: Deck paints offer weather protection but you’ll want to make sure that you pick one that suits your environment the best. Think about humidity, rain, snow, and sunlight. These are the different weather conditions that your deck paint will have to stand up to.
- Figure out what qualities are most important to you: Everyone buys deck paint because they want their deck to look beautiful, however, each deck paint has its own strengths and unique qualities. So, you should also consider which ones are most important to you. If you’re environmentally-conscious, you may want water-based paint that doesn’t damage the environment. If you know you’ll have kids running around with wet feet, you’re going to want a product with a non-slip quality to it.
- Maintenance needs: Some deck paints will last longer than others before needing a new coat. You’ll need to factor this in as well. When the paint fades, you’ll need to go out and get another can of paint, and then repeat part of the application process all over again. Most people prefer minimizing how often they’ll have to do that. If that sounds like you, pick a paint that will last longer, and won’t need as many coats.
- Test it first: Do not underestimate the importance of testing the color out first. Perhaps you could buy a smaller can first and test it on a discreet corner of the deck. That way, you can be absolutely sure about the color before painting the entire deck altogether. That color will stay there for a long time, so it’s worth putting in the effort to be safe.
