The deck suffers the highest impact of any painted surface on your property. It is subject to all of the stresses and strains of:
- Foot traffic
- Outdoor furniture
- Direct sunlight
- Rain
- Snow
- The relentless freeze-thaw weather.
These elements take a toll on even the most robust coatings over time.
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So how often should you repaint it? How will you know when to repaint it?
Read on to learn how!
The general rule
Most decks require repainting or restaining every 2-3 years. But that number is a starting point. The frequency depends on other factors such as:
- The type of coating
- Wood type
- The climate the deck is subject to
- The quality of the previous paint job.
Professional deck painters say that the quality of the preparation and the application of the previous coat has greater bearing on the longevity of the finish than nearly anything else.
If the deck coating is done poorly and applied on poorly prepared timber, it can begin to show signs of failure within a year. On well-prepared, well-coated timber, the deck’s repaint time can be extended to the three- to four-year mark.
Conditions that reduce the repainting period
Some factors can speed up the degradation of deck paint. Hence, shorten the deck paint lifespan.
UV radiation will strip paint film at a higher rate than nearly anything else in the environment. Some decks are exposed to full sun on the southern or northern side of the hemisphere. They will wear out much quicker than shaded decks.
Paint is also worn mechanically by heavy foot traffic, including:
- Around stairs
- Entryways
- Where chairs or tables are moved frequently.
In addition, decks absorb more moisture in:
- Rainy places
- Humid areas.
This causes the paint to flake off from the bottom up instead of the top down.
Some signs it is time to repaint
Instead of a set calendar schedule, learn to read the signs that the deck coating is wearing out. This approach provides you the most accurate indication of when it’s truly time to repaint. Here are some signs to watch out for:
Fading and loss of color
The coating remains. But it has lost its color. This means that the protective power of the paint is reducing.
Peeling and flaking
This indicates that the bond between the paint and the timber surface has broken down. Moisture is likely already penetrating the wood beneath.
Grey discoloration
The wood is weathering without being protected. The paint is not working.
Soft or spongy spots
Moisture has seeped in long enough. It hasundermined the integrity of the deck boards. This situation cannot be resolved by painting alone.
The bottom line
Most decks need repainting every 2-3 years. But this depends on how well the surface is looking. Be alert for any:
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- Fading
- Peeling
- Greying of timber.
Do something before any damage extends to the wood.