We strongly recommend staining over painting when it comes to protecting your deck. Decks are exposed to harsh conditions year-round, from intense summer sun to long periods of standing water in winter. They also endure constant wear from foot traffic, furniture movement, and general use. Paint simply isn’t designed to withstand these factors and will start peeling or chipping quickly.
Once a deck is painted, it’s nearly impossible to switch to stain later. Paint prevents stain from properly penetrating the timber, meaning your only option for maintenance is continuous repainting. Instead, we recommend using a high-quality linseed oil-based stain with UV protection to safeguard your deck from the elements. Without this protection, timber will turn grey within six months and become prone to mould growth.
That all said, there are situations when paint may be the only option. Previously painted decks cannot be economically stripped for staining, so a repaint is the only option other than replacing the decking timber.