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Simple tips and tricks on how to stain a deck, without a lot of effort for a beautiful finish. Selecting the best deck stain or best deck paint, tools needed and so much more!
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. You know, that pretty Colonial that I fell in love with, in a neighborhood that wasn’t quite as charming. I really like when kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms open up to a patio.
Rather than opening up to a space, decks can make you feel 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.
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.
Using a solid stain helped to make the wood deck feel like an extension of our home, rather than an enclosure.
Read about the outdoor living room we created with Underdecking with our new Vinyl Deck at the lake!
Table of Contents
The Best Deck Stain
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, reflects UV rays…
We used 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.
Best Deck Paint or Solid Stain
A solid stain gives a paint appearance with the protection of a stain. While staining between the deck slats gives it a finished, polished look, almost like painted wood floors.
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.
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
How you stain a deck and what you use makes all the difference.
To avoid spending endless hours attempting to get a brush to properly cover it. Chris found a staining trick and it made the surface feel more like a floor and less like a deck.
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.
More Paint Tips
The best painting tips for every every surface!
How to Stain a Deck
- 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.
- Clean your deck thoroughly with a long arm brush and deck cleaner to eliminate mold and mildew, dirt and debris.
- Allow it to dry thoroughly – 48 hours minimum, so that moisture doesn’t become trapped when staining.
Materials Needed to Apply Deck Stain Between Slats
- 2 edging pads with the plastic edges trimmed off
- a roller on an extension pole
- a paint tray
How to Apply Deck Stain Between Boards
- Place 2 edging pads opposite of one another and dip in stain.
- Swipe in between slats.
- Using your roller, roll over the surface of the deck to keep the paint “drips” from drying on the surface.
- Stain your nails. It’s quick & easy to do this when staining the slats with the side of your roller.
- Roll with an extension handle for a quick, smooth finish {for solid stains you can use standard painting supplies!}
Note: We had Sherwin Williams solid stain tinted in Sherwin Williams Realist Beige. Stop by to see our new outdoor living space.
The transformation is overwhelming, don’t you think?
You can find all of my paint colors and tips here, and learn all about screen porch kits here. Learn about adding String Lights and Deck Lighting for so much charm in any outdoor space!
More Paint Tips and Colors
- Create a cohesive Paint Palette
- The Best Cream Color Paint
- Our Neutral Paint Colors
- The Ultimate Guide to Trim Paint
- Paint Sheens
Did you make this? Rate the recipe and tag me on social @julieblanner!
How to Stain a Deck
The best tips and tricks to staining a deck.
Supplies
- 1 paint tray
- 2 edging pads with the plastic edge trimmed off
- deck cleaner
- paint
Equipment
- a roller on an extension pole
- long arm brush
Instructions
- Don't use a pressure washer
- Clean your deck throughly with a long arm brush and deck cleaner
- Allow deck to dry thoroughly- 48 hours minimum
- Place 2 edging pads opposite of one another and dip in stain
- Swipe in between slats
- Using your roller, roll over the surface of the deck to keep the paint "drips" from drying on the surface.
- Stain your nails. It's quick and easy to do this when staining the slats with the side of your roller.
- Roll with an extension handle for a quick, smooth finish. {for solid stains, you can use standard painting supplies}
Tips
- We had Sherman Williams solid stain tinted in Sherman Williams Realist Beige.
- Having the deck dry for a minimum of 48 hours after thoroughly cleaning makes it so that moisture doesn’t become trapped while staining.
Amanda says
Planning to stain our deck this summer. Did you do the balusters first and then the floor of the deck?
Julie Blanner says
Yes, that’s a best practice so you’re covering up any mess.
TERESA GONZALES says
It looks so fresh and inviting! Nice job
Julie Blanner says
Thank you, Teresa!
Julia says
It’s two years after this post. Do you still have it/love it?
Julie Blanner says
I sure do! It’s actually been 4.5 years since we stained it and it still looks great! It’s held up incredibly well.
Emily says
Your deck is absolutely gorgeous. I have been searching for something like this. I saw the color and read the blog “How to Stain a Deck” however, when looking at the paint stains there is more to it than just adding the realist beige tint. What base and name of stain did you use. This is what I have picked out but not sure if this is right??https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/products/superdeck-exterior-deck-dock-coating?colorPartNumber=SW6078
Julie says
They discontinued the one I used, so I removed it. The Superdeck series replaced it and works as well. Enjoy!
Barbara says
Everything you do looks beautiful. We are in the process of sanding and painting our deck with a solid stain. Â The colour you used looks really white, but you mentioned in your post that it is actually Realist Beige. I am going with a Behr deck paint and trying to decide if I should go with their true white or choose a creamier Navajo White. Â Our deck gets mostly east light. I am not concerned about maintenance, but more about how the colour reflects light.
Julie says
In the sun it reads much whiter, but conceals the dirt. I love Navajo White as well! I’d try a couple samples and see which looks best at various times of the day.