What kind of paint do you use on a deck in Tacoma?

Decks are such an amazing addition to every house, especially if you own a waterfront property in Tacoma. The deck building industry in this area is pretty developed. Today we’ll focus on deck maintenance rather than new decks. One of the ways to maintain a deck is by painting it. This could give it a couple of more years before you decide to build a new one or to resurface it. One of the most frequent questions every deck builder in Tacoma deals with is: What kind of paint should you use on your deck?

Due to Tacoma’s climate, there are two types of pain recommended to be used: Acrylic Latex Porch & Patio Paint and High-Quality Exterior Enamel Porch & Patio Paint.

The Top Contenders

• Acrylic Latex Porch & Patio Paint: This water-based paint offers easy cleanup, dries quickly (perfect for those in-between-rain moments!), and resists fading, cracking, and peeling. Look for a paint with mildew resistance – a plus for Tacoma's damp environment.
• High-Quality Exterior Enamel Porch & Patio Paint: This enamel paint provides a tough, durable finish that can withstand heavy foot traffic and harsh weather conditions. It's easy to clean and offers excellent resistance to chipping and peeling. While the drying time might be slightly longer than latex paint, it creates a long-lasting, beautiful finish.

How to choose the Right Features

Here are some additional factors to consider when choosing your deck paint:

• Color: Tacoma is a town with a unique character, and you might want your deck to reflect that. Think about the style of your home and the overall feel you want to create. While bold colors are attractive, remember that lighter colors tend to reflect heat better, a benefit in Tacoma's sunny stretches.
• Texture: Some paints offer a textured finish that can help hide minor imperfections in your deck surface and provide a slip-resistant surface – a safety feature, especially around pools or on rainy days.
• Solid vs. Semi-Transparent: Solid deck paint completely hides the wood grain, while semi-transparent allows some of the wood's natural beauty to show through. Solid paint offers the most protection, while semi-transparent can be a good choice for decks you want to retain a more natural look.

In the end, no matter which paint you choose for your deck, it’s important to prepare your project as much as possible. Clean the deck surface, remove any mildew or mold and make sure that the wood is completely dry. Check the weather and make sure there’s no rain or heavy winds as this could be a big problem for your fresh paint. 

If you decide to hire a construction company to take care of it, you might want to take your time to shop around. Ask your neighbors for good references. Search online, check reviews and recent projects on their website. Hiring a good construction company can save you time, headache and money.