Restoring old wood decks with paint is a great way to give them a new look and make them last longer. There are many types of paint available, so it’s essential to choose the right one for your project. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of each type of paint, as well as how much each will cost you at Home Depot (HD).
Latex Paint
Latex paint is the most popular choice for painting decks. It’s easy to apply, dries quickly, and can be used both indoors and out. But latex paint doesn’t last as long as oil-based paints and is more expensive.
Latex paints are water-based, which means they don’t require solvents like turpentine or mineral spirits (which evaporate quickly) to thin them down before application. This makes them safer for you and the environment; however, it also means that they tend not to cover well over existing finishes such as stain or varnish without some help from a primer first.
Here are some of the best latex-based paints for old wood decks at Home Depot:
#1 Behr Advanced Deck
BEHR Advanced DeckOver is a waterproof coating for weathered wooden decks and concrete surfaces, designed to fill in cracks, conceal splinters, and extend the life of your deck. The layer has a 100% acrylic formula that covers damages and fragments up to 1/4″. It comes in two finishes: smooth and textured, providing a slip-resistant surface. The coating also resists cracking and peeling.
#2 Behr Premium Porch & Patio Floor Paint
Behr Premium Porch & Patio Floor Paint is a 100% acrylic, low-luster paint designed to protect and enhance interior and exterior concrete and wood surfaces. It provides a durable, protective finish that resists scuffing, fading, cracking, and peeling.
The paint is available in various colors and can be tinted to match any décor. Applying a brush or roller is easy, and cleanup is easy with soap and water. The product is self-priming, meaning it can be applied directly to most surfaces without needing a separate primer.
One of the unique features of the Behr Premium Porch & Patio Floor Paint is that it is formulated with a mildew-resistant finish, making it ideal for use in damp environments such as basements or laundry rooms. Additionally, the paint provides excellent adhesion, making it suitable for use in high traffic areas such as patios and porches.
Overall, Behr Premium Porch & Patio Floor Paint is an excellent choice for anyone looking for high-quality, durable paint for their interior or exterior concrete or wood surfaces. It provides excellent protection and is available at an affordable price.
#3 Rust-Oleum Porch & Floor Enamel
Rust-Oleum Porch & Floor Enamel is a durable, single-part coating designed to protect and enhance interior and exterior concrete and wooden surfaces such as porches, patios, basements, laundry rooms, and other high-traffic areas. It provides excellent adhesion, durability, and resistance to abrasion, fading, chipping, and peeling.
This enamel is available in two finishes: gloss and satin. The gloss finish provides a high-gloss, mirror-like finish perfect for high-traffic areas. The satin finish offers a low-luster finish ideal for surfaces that do not require high gloss, such as basements or laundry rooms.
Rust-Oleum Porch & Floor Enamel is easy to apply and dries quickly, allowing for fast recoating. It can be applied using a brush, roller, or sprayer, and cleanup is easy with soap and water. The product is available in various colors, making it easy to find the perfect shade to match your décor.
Overall, Rust-Oleum Porch & Floor Enamel is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a durable, long-lasting coating for their interior or exterior concrete or wooden surfaces. It is a high-quality product that provides excellent protection, adhesion, and durability and is affordable.
#4 Valspar DuraDeck
Valspar DuraDek is a waterproof deck coating system that protects and enhances outdoor surfaces. It is a multi-layered deck coating system with a primer, basecoat, and topcoat. The primer prepares the surface, the basecoat provides a robust and waterproof barrier, and the topcoat adds a durable finish that resists fading, cracking, and peeling.
Valspar DuraDek is suitable for use on various surfaces, including wood, concrete, and masonry. It is ideal for decks, patios, and other outdoor living spaces. The product is designed to be easy to apply and provides a long-lasting, slip-resistant surface resistant to stains, mildew, and algae. It is available in a variety of colors and finishes to match any outdoor décor.
Overall, Valspar DuraDek is a high-quality deck coating system that provides excellent protection and durability for outdoor surfaces. It is a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade and protect their outdoor living space.
#5 Glidden Premium Deck & Porch Paint
Glidden Premium Deck & Porch Paint is a product offered by Glidden designed to enhance and protect wood and concrete surfaces, especially floors, steps, railings, and other horizontal surfaces. It is a paint and primer in one, making it easier to apply and providing better adhesion to properly prepared horizontal masonry, wood, and metal substrates. Glidden Premium Deck & Porch Paint is ideal for all exterior siding, eaves, and downspouts, and it is specially formulated with 100% acrylic to protect against UV rays, color fading, and all weather conditions. It is suitable for use on wood, stucco, concrete, pre-primed and unprimed hardboard, fiber cement board, weathered aluminum, weathered vinyl siding, and metal.
Oil-Based Paint
The oil-based option is your best bet if you’re looking for more durable paint. Oil-based paints are known for their longevity and durability.
They also take longer to dry than latex paints–a few hours instead of just minutes–, but this can be an advantage if you want to work on other parts of your deck while waiting for one area to dry.
Oil-based paints are not recommended for interior use because they don’t contain water; therefore, they aren’t breathable and may cause mold growth if used indoors over time.
However, plan on using this type of paint outdoors or in areas with plenty of ventilation (like under an overhang). It should be fine if the temperature doesn’t exceed 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 Celsius).
Related: What Exterior Paint Lasts The Longest?
Stains
When working with wood, the stain gives it a natural color. A transparent finish means that the wood will show through whatever color you apply so that it won’t hide any imperfections in your deck or porch.
Stains come in various colors and finishes (clear or opaque), so you can choose one that suits your style and needs best. For example, if you have an outdated deck with chipped paint on some parts, this would be an ideal time for a new coat of stain!
You can use stains inside and outside; however, they won’t last as long when exposed to direct sunlight.
Primers
Primers are a great way to help paint adhere to the surface and seal the wood.
They can also block out stains, which is especially useful if you’re trying to match an existing color.
Primers will make your paint job last longer by preventing moisture from seeping into the wood.
Related: Best Oil-Based Primers For Wood And More
Selecting the Right Paint
The first step in choosing the right paint for your deck is considering the surface you’re painting. The type of wood, weather conditions, and desired finish will all influence your decision.
First and foremost, consider the type of wood used in your decking material.
Different types of wood absorb and retain paint differently.
For example, pressure-treated wood requires different paints than cedar wood. So, it is important to choose a paint that is specifically designed for the type of wood you are working with.
Is it pressure-treated? If so, what kind of treatment was used? This will determine whether or not it can be painted with water-based paints (typically safer and easier to use).
If not treated with a preservative treatment or if there’s no way to know what kind, you’ll have to use an oil-based primer (or oil-based stain if you don’t want to paint it).
Weather Conditions
The weather conditions in your area should also be considered when selecting paint for an old wooden deck.
If you live in an area with high humidity or frequent rainfall, you should choose water-resistant paint that can withstand moisture. Similarly, if you live in a room with high temperatures, you should choose a paint that can withstand heat and UV rays.
Surface Preparation
Before applying any paint to an old wooden deck, it is important to prepare the surface properly. This includes cleaning the deck, removing any old paint, sanding the surface, and repairing any damage. The type of paint you choose will also determine the level of surface preparation required.
Related: How To Clean A Deck With A Pressure Washer
Related: What Are Essential Tools for Deck Maintenance?