Ever do something stupid that you wish your best friend would’ve talked you out of? Maybe it was a bad haircut or something more reckless… Whatever it was, consider us your best friends of the decking world helping you avoid a horrible mullet deck mistakes. You’re here because you want to know how to paint composite decking. We’re here to implore you not to.
Uncovered horizontal surfaces are notoriously hard to keep coated, despite how well you do it. You could follow every single step we’re painfully about to walk you through and still end up having to redo it in a year. Truly, if you plan to be in your house for at least a few more years, you’re better off rebuilding or resurfacing (if possible). Still wanna ignore your new best deck friend? Okay, let’s dive in.
Can I Paint Composite Decking?
Before rushing ahead with the DIY excitement of someone who just binged HGTV, we need to answer one big question: can you paint your composite deck boards? Regardless of how we feel about it, the short answer is maybe. We answer this thoroughly over here, so don’t skip this step. Read it over and then come back.
How to Paint Composite Decking
Alright, if you made it this far, it’s safe to assume you confirmed your decking was uncapped composite. Painting composite isn’t all that different than painting a wood deck or porch. The only thing that makes it a little tougher is that because it’s a blend of wood and plastic fibers, you may get more fraying than a wood deck. This means that depending on the condition of your composite, it may to be harder to get it to look good. Here are the basic steps you’ll want to follow:
Clean Your Deck
No paint or stain product will adhere to dirt. Think of it like trying to slap a sticky note on a dusty surface. It’ll fall quickly, so before you do anything, you need to clean your deck. Be sure to follow manufacturer directions. As much as power-washing might feel like the best way to blast dirt off of the surface and out of the cracks, it could cause damage to your boards. Gently clean the surface and provide ample time for the boards to dry. Because your boards are uncapped, they may hold more moisture, so failing to provide dry time will cause your new paint job to fail quickly.
Sand Your Deck
This step may actually cause some headaches. If your deck is fraying or decaying, any amount of sanding might be like pulling at a loose thread on a sweater. Before you know it, you’ll be left with a pile of metaphorical yarn wondering where your deck went. If you do sand, do it lightly simply to buff the surface to help the primer stick. Then wipe the surface / sweep it off to remove dust.
You should also know that just like painting / staining, simply sanding your deck will likely void your deck’s warranty.
Prime & Paint
Chat with your local paint store to see which primer or even primer/paint combo they recommend for this type of surface. Typically, some sort of latex based product will be your best bet. Start on the section closest to the house and work your way to the staircase / exit. We recommend having both a brush and roller handy. The brush will help you get into tight spaces, such as the cracks between boards, around railings, and up against house siding where the roller will help you cruise through bigger sections of decking.
When rolling, make sure you apply an equal pressure and lightly roll over areas where the product applied heavily to smooth it out. Once you’re done, give it ample time to dry before applying a second coat (or paint coat if priming separately). Once that’s complete, give it a day or two for the paint to cure (check the can for specific recommendations) before you start moving items back onto your deck.
Can You Stain Composite Decking Material?
Stain and paint share similarities, but when it comes to deck stain, there are multiple options. On a normal wood deck, you might use a transparent sealant, semi-transparent stain (allows you to see the wood grain but adds color), or solid stain (which is much like paint). For an uncapped composite deck, we recommend you reach out to the manufacturer to get their opinion on stains. It’s possible they won’t adhere properly. And like we warn our wood deck staining clients, if the surface of the deck doesn’t look incredible before staining, transparent and semi-transparent coatings are not going to do you any favors.
Should Composite Decking Be Painted?
In our professional opinion, no. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Whether you’re thinking of painting it because you want a color change, the decking is starting to fail, or you just want to scratch a DIY itch, there are better options. I mean just look how beautiful the boards are (above) without any coatings! Maintenance free decking has come a long way in the past decade. In addition to capped composite, companies are now producing PVC decking. Our favorite brand, TimberTech, comes with a fifty year warranty.
Choosing to resurface or rebuild your deck means you can avoid having to repaint your deck every year. Over time, this actually saves you money and makes your property worth more if you decide to sell it. Many contractors will offer free estimates, so request one for your home so you can at least consider what we believe is the better option.
