Depending on your next garden project, you may have found that you want to introduce some additional colour to it that isn’t coming from the plants and flowers.
For many people, this will involve the fences, a shed, your decking, or perhaps something altogether quirkier. Each one possibly making your garden look way more vibrant.
So, assuming you start with your fences, they stand out and now look great, but you have realized you have an awful lot of paint left. A common thought is whether you can use this paint on your decking.
The simple answer is no. You cannot use fence paint on decking. Want to know why and what the alternatives are? Read on!
Why can’t you use fence paint on decking?
The simple reason is that the paint used on your fence is simply not durable enough for your decking. Foot traffic on your decking will cause the paint to be worn away in no time at all. In addition, you run the risk of paint peeling, sticking to footwear, pets, and skin, and being transferred to other surfaces, perhaps within your home.
Furthermore, even if you have limited footfall, and the peeling happened to be minimal, the very nature of the paint means it simply will not last on a surface like decking. Fence paint doesn’t like standing water much either, so you’ll end up with running colours, random patches and unfortunate stains.
You will then spend more and more money playing catch-up to keep your deck topped up with a fresh coat and quite possibly make a mess of what was once a stunning deck.
What can I use to paint my deck?
If you are looking for a splash of colour to add to your deck and are adamant that paint is the way you would like to go, then many experts would recommend latex paint either in a satin or semi-gloss finish. This isn’t without risk though and if you don’t have industrial paint, it may be best not to paint your deck at all and look at other alternatives.
What alternatives are there to painting my deck?
There are a few options you could still consider if your deck is in need of a little flash of colour and style.
Oil is a popular material to make a deck look fresher. It sinks into the timber of your deck and doesn’t leave any marks that could make your deck look uneven or blotchy. Where there may be signs of wear on your deck, you can add the second layer of oil which will cover those patches. Your deck will then be protected and restored looking relatively close to new.
Staining your deck is a popular way to give your deck some maintenance and colour at the same time. With its waterproof capability too, you are pretty much hitting three maintenance jobs in one. Colour, waterproof and protect.
Matching your decking to your fence
This is something many people strive to achieve but don’t quite master. The reason is, both objects will weather at different rates. You will very quickly end up with one item faded and another vibrant, and it tends to be the deck that fades first. Unless you go for a composite millboard decking.
A composite deck is much more durable than a traditional wooden deck and comes in a variety of colour blends meaning it is easy to match to your fence without any additional work needed. Moulded from real oak, none of the natural texture or grain of the wood is lost. Unlike wood as well, it is mould, split and fade resistant.
If you are looking for a colourful deck to match your fence and general garden colour scheme, speak to our team of design and decking experts at The Southern Decking Company. We have built a name for ourselves as the millboard specialists for Sussex, Surrey and Southern Counties. We carefully design, plan, and liaise with you to ensure your decking and garden dreams are met. Whether it’s for residential or commercial installations, we pride ourselves on supplying you with a composite deck that is long-lasting, highly durable, anti-slip and resistant to rot. Contact us today to find out how we can transform your garden or leisure area with something
