Satin paint is generally considered a better choice for woodwork—including trim, baseboards, cabinets, and doors—than flatter finishes like eggshell or matte. Its soft sheen enhances architectural details and stands up well to frequent cleaning and daily wear. Compared to eggshell and matte finishes, satin is more durable for high-touch areas because it is less porous and doesn't absorb dirt as easily. Matte finishes, in particular, are prone to scuffs and are harder to clean, making them less practical for surfaces like doors and cabinets.

It’s best to use an exterior latex acrylic paint to promote maximum adhesion to composite decking. This flexible paint type can better cope with the natural expansion and contraction that can occur with composite deck boards. Oil-based paints won’t adhere as effectively and are more likely to crack and peel as the boards flex. Testing whether your chosen paint will stick on an inconspicuous section or a spare board is a good idea.

Wet-sanding and dry-sanding each have pros and cons. Dry-sanding is less messy, so it’s a good option if you’re trying to minimize dust (for example, if you’re sanding an occupied home or working with particularly dry or dusty drywall mud). However, dry-sanding is quicker because you don’t have to keep rinsing a sponge or wait for it to dry before painting.

Stain is meant to be absorbed by the porous wood, allowing some of the natural grain to show through. With that in mind, you don’t want to add more stain than the wood can absorb, as you risk covering up its natural markings. Generally, two coats is the maximum you should do, although very dense hardwoods may only be able to take a single coat.