As the summer season approaches, decks are the entertaining space of choice for many homeowners. However, before you pull out that table and umbrella, think about re-energizing this space with a fresh coat of paint or stain. Not only will you enhance this often-used exterior “room”, but you will also protect the actual wood surface and by protecting the surface, your deck will last longer.

From a color standpoint, browns and grey continue to be favorite color selections when painting or staining a deck and many homeowners are increasingly choosing combinations that suit their home or decorating style. If you’re not quite ready to add multiple hues to the entire space, add a punch of color by incorporating complementary or bold and bright colors onto railings, planter boxes, built-in benches or even deck trellises.

	1. A coat of semi-transparent stain can be a great way to spruce up a wooden deck. It lets you add some color to the wood without hiding its grain or texture.
	2. If viewing the wood grain is not a high priority, an opaque deck stain can be a better choice. These products, which can be oil based or latex, are more like paints in their pigmentation and so typically hold up longer than a semi transparent stain.
	3. Of course, if you don’t want to show either the grain or the texture of the wood, a quality porch and deck paint or enamel may be the way to go. It will last longer than any type of stain although you may need to use a primer for best results.