Hey!! I hope you had a great weekend! We went to Maryland to prepare for Home Depot’s Patio Style Challenge!
Luckily it was a fairly mild February weekend in Maryland – with some warm layers, we were able to get lots done!!
We’re SUPER excited to transform our deck .. as you can see it needs some serious help!
We rented a sander and got a good bit off, but it would require a lot of hand sanding to get it all off. (above image is before sanding)
So now we’re considering: 1. Get as much paint off as possible, heavy duty primer, heavy duty exterior deck paint 2. Get as much paint off as possible, use a solid stain on deck matching paint on railing (We sanded that too .. but no way we’re getting all of that off) 3. Thick deck product designed to “cover all” 4. Something else??
If you have experience with a deck in similar condition – I’d love to hear about it!
Of course, we have a few FUN projects up our sleeves – I’m looking forward to sharing as I can!
We used Rustoleum Restore on our deck and porch last year and it's held up just great. No complaints from us! The reviews were pretty bad online, but we decided to try anyway. With 3 dogs walking on our deck on a daily basis, we were pleasantly surprised how well they still look. Good luck with your project. I know whatever you choose it will look amazing!!
Thanks Brandi! 🙂 I was concerned with the mixed reviews too! Thanks so much for sharing your experience!
I'm in southern Maine (snowed in until June probably) so it's refreshing to see you working on an outdoor space! Our deck was in so so condition when we moved in so I had a similar experience. We sanded the best we could and then stained the deck a dark gray and painted the railing white. Stain really works much better than paint on the floorboard of the deck, but with primer painting the railing is fine. I touch it up every spring, but overall I'm happy with our choice.
Thanks for sharing Morgan! I was thinking a durable stain might be best for longevity – at least much easier to sand later if needed! Did you use a solid stain?
Yes, we used Sherwin Williams Deckscapes Exterior Acrylic Solid Color Stain, I've been really pleased with it. Do you have access to a pressure washer? You can always rent one… It's amazing what a quick pressure wash will do.
We used Rustoleum Restore on our deck a few years back and it has held up like a total champ. HIghly recommend it.
Thanks Elizabeth!! 🙂 We were really leaning towards one of those, but with the mixed reviews I was concerned! I think people are more likely to share negative reviews .. Thanks for sharing your experience!!
Here is some interesting information on pressure washing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HICFqvSw80
Also, you need something to kill that mold and mildew. You can do it with chlorine but I don't know the technique. Google probably knows.
Your deck is such and integral part of your house and so large it should be brought back to as natural as possible. It will be a lot of hard work (unless you leave this one to the pros) but it will make it easier to maintain on a yearly basis and ensure it lasts for years to come.
Good luck and I look forward to seeing your end results 🙂
Thanks Joanne!! 🙂
our deck had lots of "green" stuff on it at our last house… i was on my hands and knees for several days with an abrasive cleaner and then sanding after that. it was not fun but it looked so much better when it was stained again! we used a solid stain because i knew it wasn't going to be perfect.
Thanks Cassie! 🙂 We pressure washed the deck before sanding (hoping it would take all the paint off!) With the sanding, it got most the algae and paint off .. I'm think I'm leaning towards a solid stain. Do you like the one you used?
This will be fun to follow along! Fun for ME to watch YOU do all the work. 😉
haha yes!! we are both exhausted after working all weekend and driving 16 hours! 🙂 It will all be worth it when it's done though 🙂
We're in exactly the same boat with our MD deck, too. the previous owners didn't prep the surface properly before putting down a single coat of solid stain, which promptly peeled off a month or so after we closed. We're debating replacing all the decking or trying to sand it down as much as possible and re-staining. The trees here in MD are rough on decks (and roofs, too).
Thanks for sharing Margaret! Glad we're not alone! We will probably be replacing the deck in the next few years, but need something in the meantime! We have a large tree right above half of our deck .. it is rough on it!
We had pretty much the same situation last year. My husband used a paint peeler liquid on all of our horizontal boards (I think it was the same one that John and Sherry used on YHL) and that got up *most* of the paint. Then all we did was use a solid stain on the entire deck. It's a dark color, so there was no bleeding through of any residual original paint that may have remained.
Thanks for sharing Laura! We pressure washed the deck, but without a cleaner/stripper, so we might try that again!
You just put me in full on panic mode with this post. Our patio is still completely covered in ice and snow and I have no clue how to get started because what I was thinking about doing doesn't fit in the house to get started. The weather is so horrible right now.
David's dad cleared the snow off the deck before we got there 🙂 But we haven't gotten as much as you! Sending warming thoughts your way!
Argh, how rude! We're running into a lot of those quick "cover ups" and they're awfully frustrating. It sounds like you're already doing the only thing I can think to do with it!
We did the Deck Restore on our deck at our old house and loved it! Took a deck in BAD condition with big cracks and all (probably even a little worse than yours) and filled in the cracks and made the whole thing look like a brand new, Trex deck. People asked if we used Trex all the time. You have to look close to tell that's not the case. Was easy to roller on and is supposed to hold up for 10 years. My one, small complaint was that it got hot under feet. We live in AZ and it gets HOT here.
Even though it's looking a little rough, I can tell this space is going to be magical when you are done!!!
I can't help but think of those deck restore products….goes on like paint, but it's super thick to conceal and protect. Maybe that'll work?! Too bad the previous owners had to go for a quick cover and hide method. Ugh.
I can't wait to see how you guys transform that space!
What about making a cool pattern with some stained wood and some vibrant paint? Maybe also some spray on rock?