Get matched with top deck staining pros in Garber, OK

No, you don't need to stain Ipe decking, although you can if you want to change the color. You will, however, need to apply a UV coating if you don't want the natural color to fade. Speak to a deck staining specialist near you to discuss the best options if you want to stain your decking. And remember that you’ll need to seal your Ipe wood deck annually to protect it from scratches and Mother Nature.

Pressure-treated wood can not only be painted and stained, but it should be; doing so will help to prevent surface or deck board cracking. Allow the wood to dry out before painting it, as pressure-treated wood from the hardware store takes longer to dry than kiln-dried lumber. If water beads on the surface, it needs additional time to dry—in fact, it can take weeks or even months to fully dry. As soon as the wood absorbs water on the surface, it is ready to be painted or stained.

Painting a damaged pool deck is not recommended if the substrate is crumbling, cracking, spalling, or otherwise actively deteriorating. Continuing deterioration will result in the paint also delaminating or flaking off the damaged surface. Minor damage such as chips or hairline cracks that are not actively deteriorating can often be repaired enough to paint over. A damaged pool deck with a lot of cracking and deterioration should be replaced for best results.

If your biggest concern is making sure your deck doesn’t show dirt, opt for a darker neutral color that blends in well with your surrounding landscape. A rich brown or dark grey are both good options that work with a variety of house colors. A high-quality acrylic paint is easy to clean and maintain, so it might be worth spending the money on.