Your deck is probably a space where you and your family spend a lot of time. Perhaps you have your barbeques there or have a deck close to the pool. Since decks, fences, and railings are usually exposed to the sun and rain during the day, paint can quickly start to fade and they can start to look unpleasant. A fresh coat of paint, however, can quickly help you update your deck, fences, and railings and protect them from further damage.

Painting Your Deck and Railings

Decks are often designed with a wooden floor, while railings are usually made from vinyl or wood. Both of these materials can be difficult to paint the right way. Understanding how to prepare both surfaces, how to prime them, and knowing what types of paint to use can help you achieve the results you desire for your deck.

Most people find that an oil-based paint works great for both wood surfaces and vinyl, but a latex-based paint can also be used as an alternative. It is also important to ensure that the appropriate primer is used: latex primer when using latex paint and oil-based primer for oil-based paint.

Prior to applying primer or paint, the surface should not be damp and needs to be cleaned thoroughly. Any necessary railing repairs should also be made before painting. Some railings may also need to be refined with a sander before painting.

If the railing is made of metal, some sanding and cleaning will be necessary since no shine should be present when painting starts. Primer is not needed for the metal surface and paint can be applied directly.