Get matched with top deck staining pros in Winnsboro, LA

The best exterior paint for the job of painting your front porch depends on the material you’ll be painting. Acrylic paint is often recommended for a wooden porch as it’s durable and easy to apply. If your porch is made of concrete, you’ll need to find a formula suited to that material.

Your tool of choice ultimately comes down to personal preference. Many DIYers prefer applying stain with a lint-free rag, but others stick with a paint brush or a roller. Wipe the stain and work it into the wood, working with and against the grain. If you’re applying multiple coats, allow the stain to dry for around four hours between coats.

Opt for an interior wood stain that is rated for your type of wood. Consider your personal style preferences as well as the overall use of the room when choosing a color. Remember, the color you see at the store may look different on your actual floors once applied. This is why if you have the chance, it’s helpful to test a few options on a scrap piece of wood in the room first. Once you narrow it down, you can test a small patch on an inconspicuous area in the room to see it on the actual floors.

Staining a deck is typically less expensive upfront than painting. The cost to stain a deck professionally averages around $850, with most homeowners paying between $550 and $1,250, depending on the deck's size. A DIY staining project can cost less than $100. The cost to paint a deck ranges from $500 to $2,000. While the initial cost of staining is lower, it's important to consider long-term expenses. Paint can last up to 10 years, whereas stain needs to be reapplied every few years, which could lead to higher costs over time.