There are two natural elements that will age and degrade decks in a hurry. Ultraviolet damage from sunlight prematurely ages wood. Water, whether from melting snow or tropical rain, causes wood decks to rot, joints to loosen and nails to pop. You may want to add color and weatherproofing with deck paint, but painting your deck is a long term commitment. There are several types of deck paint and choosing the right one for your project can save you money, as well as hours of work.

Types

1. There are three basic types of deck paint. Latex or water based deck paint is the least expensive and easiest to apply. It is available in several sheens from flat to high gloss, and a wide range of colors. However, latex deck paint is the least durable and will require annual touch-up to refinish peeling and chipping paint. Oil based deck paints are also available in a range of colors and sheens, but is a little more expensive and trickier to apply. Inexpensive oil based deck paints may not hold up any better than latex, but some commercial deck paints will last up to three years without peeling. You can also find epoxy deck paint at good commercial paint stores. Some are applied like regular latex deck paint, while others are applied in several layers as a complete weatherproofing system Although the time and cost of epoxy deck coatings are considerably more than other applications, the investment can be worth it because it can last a decade or more.
   

   Geography

2. Local conditions may influence your deck painting choice. In very wet and humid climates, more frequent applications of deck paint are necessary because anything that coats the surface, like paint, instead of stain which penetrates the wood, will peel sooner in wet conditions. In hot, dry climates, ultraviolet protection will be more important than waterproofing and paint does an excellent job of protecting wood from sun damage.
   

   Warning

3. Using any type of paint, instead of a sealer or stain, to protect your deck, is a big commitment. Once painted, the deck will need ongoing maintenance to touch up inevitable peeling paint. Should you ever decide to go back to a natural or stained look, deck paint removal is a very hard, and time consuming job. Be very sure you want to live with a painted deck for many years to come. Deck stains are an alternative, allowing the character of the wood to show through and also available in many colors.
   

   Considerations

4. Deck painting should be done on clean, dry decks. Older decks may need to be scrubbed or power washed first to remove dirt, mildew and stains. There are many excellent deck cleaners available. Brushing the paint onto the wood does a better job of penetrating and waterproofing than spraying because it works the works the paint deeper into the wood fibers. If the decks are sprayed, it's worthwhile to back brush to even out the sprayed coating. Always keep left over paint so future touch ups will match the existing surface.
   

   Expert Insight

5. Epoxy deck paint weatherproofing systems are best left to experts. These can involve as many as six applications, from an initial layer of galvanized mesh to a final layer of masonry deck paint. Unless the homeowner is prepared to spend a lot of time learning how to apply each layer, a better option is to leave this task to reputable deck coating professionals.