A wood deck is a beautiful thing. They can take ages to properly construct and require regular attention to maintain their luster and stability. One of the most important steps for increasing the longevity of a deck is the choice of material that you use.
Not only will the best paint for outdoor wood deck, color, and coat to fit your aesthetic, but they should do even more to protect it from the elements.
It can be tempting to let the wood sit without a layer between the air and the grain. Wood is handsome enough without anything added. Also, it’s a ton of effort to paint and repaint the entire surface as well as in all the nooks and crannies. Just picking the right product or finish is an ordeal of give and take.
Best Deck Paints & Deck Stains
You can have maximum protection but will lose the charm of the original material. You can go for something light, but your valuable wood will still be vulnerable to scuffs and harsh weather. It’s about finding the balance between protection and outward appearances.
This best deck paint review narrows down 5 of our favorites for decking. These are not ranked from best to worst but rather for their specific strengths. Thus, one is not necessarily better than the other but will tackle the same issues in different ways.
Best for Versatility: KILZ Interior/Exterior Enamel Porch and Patio Latex Floor Paint
When all you need a is a basic, reliable material, the KILZ Interior/Exterior Latex Floor Paint is a fantastic way to go. It leaves behind a low-luster, enamel surface that is durable enough to resist scuffing and cracking and long-lasting enough to avoid fading and peeling.
It also comes with a mildew-resistant film that will keep your deck from being reclaimed by the garden. Available in both silver-gray and slate-gray, KILZ Latex Floor this applies easily to wood, masonry, and metal surfaces.
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It protects everything from porches to furniture (check out our best paint sprayers for furniture here) and trellises. One gallon will cover 300-400 square feet on smooth surfaces and 200-300 square feet on rough ones. It dries smoothly and evenly and is easy-to-clean.
All in all, this is a product meant to provide the basics in terms of aesthetics and protection. KILZ Latex Floor Paint the best deck paint for someone looking for a no-frills coating.
It can withstand most harsh weather conditions and heavy foot traffic. It serves just about anyone’s needs
Best for Protection: KILZ Over Armor Textured Wood/Concrete Coating
If you’re looking for a more robust outdoor deck paint, then KILZ Over Armor is our best choice for all-around protection. Over Armor leaves a highly durable, waterproof, and textured coating that will keep new wood safe and bring old wood back to life.
The acrylic deck paint resin will cover splinters and fill cracks and holes ¼-inch thick.
Not only is it waterproof and textured for traction, but it is also mildew-resistant and won’t crack or peel after long-use. 1 gallon of Over Armor can cover 75 square feet in two coats.
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While perfect for wood, it can be applied to most composite surfaces and is particularly good for concrete. The available deck paint colors for this product include Chocolate, Redwood, and Slate-Gray.
Over Armor is the best option for those who need an upgrade in terms of overall protection. It can handle the worst weather conditions and will withstand the wettest of climates. It is even tough enough to be used on docks and boat floors. Over Armor is likely to increase the lifespan of your deck by several years.
Best for Rejuvenation: Anvil Deck-A-New Resurfacer Paint
If you’re trying to revitalize a deck that has seen a lot of trouble over the years, then you’re going to need something a little different, than the KILZ products. Both will bring some life back to the porch deck, but Anvil Deck-A-New is specifically designed to rejuvenate worn surfaces. It is the best for old wood.
The 100% acrylic deck paint fills cracks up to ¼-inch thick and resists water, scuffing, and peeling.
The textured finish is meant to repair structurally sound wood, concrete, and composite surfaces.
It can fix years’ worth of weathering and damage by filling in space and locking down splinters. Moreover, it will keep it protected against future heavy foot-traffic and rough weather conditions.
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One gallon will cover 60 to 80 square feet in a natural coloring that includes cedar, redwood, walnut, butternut, and driftwood. Anvil Deck-A-New can save you a lot of time and money on costly repairs and replacements. It is the ideal choice for someone looking to cover the scars and squeeze some more years out of an older deck.
Best Stain: Defy Extreme Wood Stain
Defy Extreme Wood Stain is for those who want to shield their wood decks from the elements without compromising too much on the aesthetics. When you don’t want to cover your wood in paint, then staining is your next best option.
Nothing is more handsome than the natural glow of stained wood. Defy’s water-based, semi-transparent stain keeps it safe and looking good.
Defy is made from the highest quality resins that are durable and resistant to fading and darkening. The stain’s natural matte finish is fortified with zinc Nano-particles that reflect harmful UV rays that normally bleach and gray the wood.
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The same zinc Nano-particles also act as a natural defense against mold and mildew. Defy is also wonderful in damp environments since water will bead up instead of soaking directly into the deck.
Furthermore, it is environmentally friendly and very easy to maintain. Adding a new coat does not require stripping or sanding before reapplication. Instead, all that is needed is a light cleaning, some brightener and a new coat of stain.
Defy keeps wood looking natural and bright without sacrificing its utility. When looking for the best deck coating, Defy might be all you need. It will leave the wood grain looking fresh in bright sunshine and through frequent downpours.
Best Finish: Heritage Natural Finishes – 100% Pure Tung Oil
If you want to coat your wood deck with an oil based deck paint, then Heritage offers some of the best wood deck paint on the market. Their Tung Oil will leave the woodgrain of your deck glowing and rehydrated. It leaves behind an entirely transparent layer without making the surface glossy or dark.
Not only does it soak into the woodwork for a healthier appearance, but it also offers decent protection. The durable matte finish is effective against water, alcohol, alkali, mildew, and marring. Even more, it is stain-resistant.
While it is certainly not the same shield as something like the KILZ options, Heritage does not leave your deck vulnerable.
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Tung Oil has no additives and is made without unsafe materials or processing. It is safe to use, environmentally friendly, and fully biodegradable. Moreover, it can be used on any wooden surface and is even FDA approved, meaning kitchenware can get the same treatment and protection.
Thanks to its high quality and versatility, you won’t need to look any further for an oil-based finish. Heritage Tung Oil will nourish any wood material and vastly increase the lifespan of a deck or porch. Without coloring or staining, a surface treated with Tung Oil will look ageless and natural through years of use.
For a quick recap, here are our top 3 picks off the Best Deck Paints accessories you just might have;
- Water based
- High quailty resins
- Mildew resistance
- Extremely durable
- All natural
- Biodegradable
- FDA approved
- Non toxic
- Slip resistant
- Conceal splinters
- Solid color coating
- 100% acrylic resin
Best Paint for Decks Overall Conclusion
A well-maintained deck is a balance between utility and aesthetics. It can be the centerpiece of a backyard or garden and requires thoughtful upkeep. Picking the best paint, and deck paint colors mean understanding the climate you’re contending with as well as the appearance you’re going for.
Heavy latex paint will be able to keep your deck completely shielded against the elements. However, if your deck is made from quality wood it will mean losing its warmth of color and texture. In that case, you may want a stain or oil-based finish which will show off the wood but won’t be es effective in guarding it against wear and tear.
That said, every option on this list will significantly help in the battle against nature reclaiming the deck. It is all too easy to leave it a victim to things like UV light and mildew.
Especially with wood, constant exposure will leave a deck falling apart within a few years. Investing in good paint, stain or finish means avoiding repair and replacement for several years.
Regardless of your choice, all 5 materials can be applied with a brush, roller, or paint sprayer (we should note that paint sprayers are faster than rollers when it comes to wood or uneven surfaces). None should require more than minimal thinning, basic priming or sealing, and only a few hours to dry and 72 hours to cure. Even the greenest of DIYers shouldn’t run into any problems.
Decks, porches, and patios ought to be well-loved and valued things. They define the outdoor space of a home and can be the key to creating a relaxing and harmonious atmosphere. Coating them in the right paint can take out all the anxiety of maintenance and leave you with a deck that looks as good as the day it was built. We hope you have found our deck paint reviews useful in your quest for that perfect space.
