Stain or paint a deck

A deck takes weather from both sides. That’s why coatings fail here first. Pick the product for the wood you have, not the photo you saved.

Stain

Transparent and semi-transparent stains soak in. You still see boards. You’ll recoat sooner — often every two or three seasons in West Michigan.

Gray, weathered cedar can take a semi-solid stain and look honest. Don’t expect a magazine brown on boards that have already gone silver without a cleaner and brightener first.

Paint

Solid stain or deck paint hides mixed boards and old patches. It also peels in sheets if moisture is trapped or the old film is failing.

If the last coating is peeling, scrape to a sound edge or you’re buying the same job next spring.