Best Deck Paints of 2021

As far as deck paint goes, this one is pretty pricey. That said, it is excellent at penetrating deep into the wood, thanks to its oil-based qualities.

It’s perfect for all exterior wooden surfaces, including decks, railings, and fences. Unlike some oil-based paints, you get UV protection, thanks to the trans oxide pigments in the formula. It protects against mold and mildew and has a 250 low VOC, so odors are kept to a minimum.

You can apply it in one coat, and it is guaranteed not to crack, bubble or peel. The color is a translucent natural wood finish, which enhances the pattern of your woodgrain. It is the wood stain to choose if you are protecting exotic hardwood.

The only downside is the trans oxide slightly yellows the color, and it is not available in California.

When restoring old wood, you need a deck stain that is sympathetic to the patternation and the overall condition to protect it for future use. This combined stain and seal requires no primer. It can be applied using a sprayer, roller or brush.

The great news is once you apply the first coat, it dries and leaves a hardened seal on the surface of the wood to reduce water penetration.

It requires no back brushing, and it doesn’t run or leave streaks. This stain needs no wet-line application and blends seamlessly. You can apply it at any temperature, and you don’t need to dilute it when spraying.

It comes in a 5-gallon tub, so you get a lot of coverage on your deck, garden furniture, exterior door frames, and anything else wooden that is exposed to the elements.

The only downside is you must make sure the old wooden boards are completely stripped of oils, paints, and any other greasy surface. So, preparation is key to it soaking into the wood for added protection.

It’s also extremely expensive. Sure, it comes in large tubs, but the cost might put some people off.

This acrylic paint requires no primer and goes straight down onto wood, concrete, porches, and patios. It really is a multi-purpose paint. It offers a low-luster enamel coating that endures even in extreme weather conditions.

You can apply it to original painted surfaces without too much fuss, and it adheres well. It touch-dries in 1 hour and is ready to be recoated within 4 to 6 hours.

It can be applied by brush, roller, and sprayer, and 1-gallon of this slate-gray paint covers 200 to 300 square feet on rough surfaces and 300 to 400 square feet on smooth surfaces. So, you get excellent coverage from such a small amount.

While you can paint patios and concrete with this paint, it isn’t suitable for driveways where it comes into contact with rubber tires. Plus, it may look like a cheap option, but it doesn’t look like the best value for money when comparing this 1-gallon tin with the 5-gallon Ready Seal.

When you are covering a pool deck, there are a few things you need to look for in your chosen paint. The first is it needs to be water-resistant, and the second is it should be non-slip.

This INSL deck paint is another acrylic-based variety, so it repels water better than standard water-based products. When you get splashes from the pool, having that kind of shielding from damage is essential.

It’s fast-drying, slip-resistant, and repels ponding water. It’s also ideal for walkways, patios, stairs, and concrete. It even fills cracks and seals for added protection.

The 1-gallon tin covers 80 to 120 square feet, and it takes 8 hours to cure between coats. It comes in 7 color options ranging from white to desert sand, and it is applied using a brush or roller.

This 1-gallon tin is expensive when comparing the scaled-up cost against the 5-gallon Ready Seal, and the coverage is a lot less than the 1-gallon KILZ interior and exterior paint. It also takes a lot of surface preparation before applying, which takes time.

Rust-Oleum is a well-known name, so it comes as no surprise that this Spar Urethane wood stain should feature in the review. It is suitable for outdoor wood surfaces like furniture, decking, fences, door frames, and windows.

It dries to the touch within 30 minutes and can be reapplied within 2 hours of the first coat drying. This 32 fluid-ounce tin covers approximately 87 square feet, and thanks to the water-based formula, it is UV resistant, making it the ideal paint for hot climates.

The topcoat repels mildew and moisture, and it doesn’t yellow with age, plus it dries crystal clear with a semi-gloss finish.

Unlike oil-based stains, which only need one coat to provide adequate protection, this water-based paint requires a maximum of 4 layers, which adds to the costs considerably. Plus, you will need lots of tins because the coverage is limited.

When you are on a boat in the middle of the water, the last thing you want is a slippery deck. This Total Boat Non-Skid paint is the ideal product to give your wood the protection it needs while at the same time keeping you safe from slipping.

This paint covers wood, fiberglass, aluminum, and metal surfaces, so it is multi-purpose. Out at sea, the sun is bright, so this paint has been designed as a low-glare coating, plus the polyurethane finish is UV resistant, so your deck won’t fade.

It goes on with a brush or roller, and you get a coverage of 300 square feet with each 1-gallon tin. You can increase the traction by applying a second coat, and each layer dries between 8 and 16 hours, depending on the temperature.

It comes in 4 colors: gray, light gray, beige and white, and it cleans easily and won’t fade or peel. The only downside is the cost. This is a 1-quart tin, so to get a gallon of this paint will cost you 3 times as much as other deck stains.

You also need to take care when applying this paint because it needs to be in the right weather conditions for it to adhere.

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative for painting your deck, this Storm System Sealer and Stain is the perfect solution. It comes in 1-gallon tins, making it excellent value for money.

This is an oil-based stain designed to penetrate deep into the wood to protect it against water damage. It’s suitable for all wood varieties but is especially effective when used with mahogany, cedar, and redwood.

It applies with a brush, roller, and paint sprayer and provides a lap-free surface with supreme UV protection. You get between 100 to 175 square feet of coverage depending on the quality of the surface, which is less than comparable paints.

It also takes up to 24 hours to dry between coats, making it a slow process to restain your deck. The other thing to consider is the trans oxide pigments in the solution slightly discolors the overall finish of the stain.