This is it: the end of summer is quickly approaching. Don’t let the changing seasons trick you into staying inside! Barbeque season is year-round, but fall is a perfect time for backyard fun, and now is the perfect time to refresh your deck after a summer full of good memories made. Exterior deck stain is easy to use when you have John Paul’s Paint & Decor and Benjamin Moore on your side!

Deck Paint vs. Deck Stain

Refinishing your deck is not that difficult once you know how to best use the materials available to you. The first step is deciding whether to paint or stain your deck. Both offer aesthetic and practical benefits, so what’s the difference between deck paint and deck stain?

Deck paint is exactly what it sounds like. Like the paint you use on your walls inside, deck paint creates a thick layer of color on top of the surface of the wood. Deck paint is durable and can last up to ten years—but some paint chips and cracks quite easily due to normal wear and tear and pressure from the elements. If you want a colorful exterior, we suggest using exterior paint from Benjamin Moore to transform your porch or front door.

Deck stain, or exterior wood stain, is what we suggest to homeowners looking to refresh their outdoor space. Rather than sitting on top of the wood, deck stain penetrates it to change its appearance. While exterior wood stain should be reapplied every two or three years to maintain accurate color, it will never chip or crack like deck paint will.

Deck Stain Colors

Most stores offer deck stains in an array of natural tones and shades. If you’re looking for a bright color, we recommend using deck paint to achieve your desired look. Wood stain is formulated to enhance the natural grain found in the wood. Choose from one of many deck stain colors from Benjamin Moore offered at John Paul’s Paint and Decor!

How to Stain Your Deck

Using an exterior wood stain to refinish your deck is a simple process that almost anyone can handle! Follow these steps for a space even the neighbors will be proud of.

1. Inspect

Always start any home improvement project by inspecting the space you’re working on, especially if it is outdoors or in a high-traffic area. Look for loose nails, wood splinters, rotted wood, and other potential hazards. Clean them up or make the necessary repairs before starting the project.

2. Clean

It’s crucial that you clean your deck before applying stain. Dirt and grime will prevent the stain from penetrating evenly among the wood, resulting in a patchy outcome. Scrub your deck with a cleaning solution and a mop with tough bristles. Rinse the solution off, then let it dry completely before staining.

3. Stain

Use painter’s tape to section off areas you don’t want to stain. Move potted plants away from the area and cover bushes and flowers to protect them. Use a long roller brush or a paint sprayer to apply your deck stain evenly across the space. You may need to apply more than one coat of stain to achieve your desired result. Always wait for the stain to completely dry before applying another coat.

4. Enjoy

Allow the deck stain to dry for 24-48 hours before moving your furniture and potted plants back onto your deck.

Contact Us to Learn More About Exterior Wood Stain

Whether you’re looking to refinish your deck or trim this fall, we have got you covered. John Paul’s Paint and Decor is proud to offer a wide selection of Benjamin Moore paints and stains. Give us a call at (815) 614-3842, or contact us online and a member of our team will get in touch with you.

We serve the greater Bourbonnais, IL area, including Kankakee, Bradley, Limestone, Coal City, Elwood, Manhattan, Braidwood, Peotone, Wilmington, Manteno, Aroma Park, Essex, Gardner, Bonfield, Hercher, Clifton, Watseka, Frankfort, Mokena, Pontiac, Monee, Tinley Park, Orland Park, and New Lenox, Illinois.

We look forward to working with you!