Find the best deck paint in this comprehensive guide! We’ll show you why we chose it and how to apply it for a smooth, professional finish that will last for years to come.

Get simple tips and tricks to learn how to stain a deck without a lot of effort for a beautiful finish. Learn about the best deck paint, tools needed and so much more!

A white painted deck featuring white wicker furniture.
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I’m not a huge fan of decks – I’d take a beautiful brick patio any day. In fact, that’s one thing I adored about that house that could’ve been.

I still think about that pretty Colonial home that I fell in love with when we were moving to St. Louis. It was in a neighborhood that wasn’t quite as charming as ours, and while we are confident we made the right decision, I still dream of that patio.

I really like when kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms open up to a patio instead of a deck, but such is life, right?!

Our home is built on a hill, making a patio impossible from the main level. It’s partially enclosed by the screened in porch, the house wall and the breakfast nook, with just one side opening to the yard.

Rather than opening up to a garden or yard space, decks tend to feel more confined, limiting both the view and access to your yard. I wanted to find a way to minimize that feeling and redefine this outdoor space as a room on its own.

Open doors into a dining room leading out to a white painted deck.

The Best Deck Paint

Using a solid stain helped to make the wood deck feel like an extension of our home, rather than an enclosure. You know I love chatting all things paint around here – don’t skip our complete guide to the best Deck Paint Colors!

Choosing the best deck stain or best deck paint is essential for a durable, quality finish. A high quality deck stain is easy to apply and also reflects UV rays.

While there are many levels of opacity for deck stains and paint, we wanted one that helped our deck feel ling flooring… a true extension of our home.

With that in mind, our research led us to Sherwin Williams SuperDeck solid deck stain. After four years and several hail storms, it’s in immaculate condition. It stains and paints, offering a beautiful aesthetic.

Note – this is not a sponsored post, it’s just a product we love and wanted to share!

Read about the outdoor living room we created here, and our new Screen Porch Kit.

Learn the tips & tricks for a beautiful deck

What is a Solid Stain?

A solid stain gives a painted appearance with the protection of a stain. While staining between the deck slats gives it a finished, polished look, almost like painted wood floors.

A color stain is suitable for decks that have been stained time and time again and can no longer benefit from a sheer stain. It’s also a great option to go over darker stains or to blend your deck with your home.

It is the best deck stain for:

  • old wood
  • treated wood
  • dated stain
  • tired stain
  • to blend the deck with your home
  • for a white deck

We said we weren’t going to DIY much at our new home, but it seems sometimes it’s just easier to do it yourself than to get a contractor to show up. My patience was waning, so Chris took over the project and learned how to stain a wood deck.

how to paint a deck | Easy home project ideas - Fall Makeover

Supply List

  • Deck Cleaning Product
  • 2 edging pads with the plastic edges trimmed off
  • a roller on an extension pole
  • a paint tray

How to Stain a Deck

  1. Clean your deck throughly with a long arm brush and deck cleaner
  2. Allow deck to dry thoroughly- 48 hours minimum
  3. Place 2 edging pads opposite of one another and dip in stain or paint. The best tips for staining a deck that provide a beautiful finish & save time!
  4. Swipe in between slats. The best tips for staining a deck
  5. Using your roller, roll over the surface of the deck to keep the paint “drips” from drying on the surface. Save time & energy with these quick tips for staining a deck
  6. Stain your nails. It’s quick and easy to do this when staining the slats with the side of your roller.
  7. Roll with an extension handle for a quick, smooth finish. For solid stains, you can use standard painting supplies. Get the quick tips to save time staining a deck
  8. Stain (or paint) your nails. It’s quick and easy to do this when staining the slats with the side of your roller.  
  9. Roll with an extension handle for a quick, smooth finish (for solid stains you can use standard painting supplies).

Supplies

Outdoor Living | Beautiful decor ideas and how to define your deck or patio as an outdoor living room
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Tips

  • Don’t Skimp – How you stain a deck and the products you choose makes all the difference. Don’t skimp on the time or money you spend here, because you’ll be doing it all over again soon if you do!
  • Don’t use a pressure washer. Powerwashing should be left to professionals. Powerwashing your deck improperly could cause more harm than good. It can cause splintering, gaps, and warping.
  • Stain Between the Slats – To avoid spending endless hours attempting to get a brush to properly cover the gaps between the slats, we did our research. Chris found a staining trick and it made the surface feel more like a floor and less like a deck.
  • Longer Edgers – Staining between deck slats was extremely easy and not overly time consuming. It not only protects the deck, but is visually appealing no matter which direction you’re looking at it. We purchased longer edgers the second time, which made it even easier.

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34 Comments

  1. I just got done building my first deck in my backyard, and now I’m wanting to stain it soon. The problem is is that I’m not sure how to go about staining it on my own. That being said, I really appreciate you sharing with me some insight about how I can properly stain my new deck. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out after I follow your tips. Thanks a ton for everything.

    1. Congratulations! It’s actually not too bad, just make sure that it’s dry for 3 days before and after you stain so that it doesn’t seal moisture in. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your new deck for years to come!

  2. I just finished stripping my deck of an old orange-brown stain. I love the color you chose for your deck and am considering the same now for mine. Did you use the same color for the railings as well? Thanks!!!

    1. We did! I think that’s what makes it feel less like a deck and more like a room. I’d love to see when you’re done!

  3. I agree. I long for a patio but cannot have one due to the slope of our yard. And our deck is in sorry shape. I love the stain you chose. Can’t wait to see it once you put your finishing touches on it.

    1. Thank you, Kathy! Hopefully you can find a way to make your deck work, they’re ridiculously expensive to replace!

  4. That looks lovely! Great tip about staining in between. I’m sharing this with a friend who was asking for deck staining advice.