If you’ve just bought a house that already has a deck, or you’ve just replaced the siding on your house, you may be thinking, “Can you paint a composite deck? Maybe you can, but it depends. Older composite decking boards without covers are easy to paint and stain. But newer composite decks often have polymer caps and you shouldn’t paint or stain them.

Painting your decking boards may void your warranty and you will have to do more maintenance. This is because you will have to perform maintenance more frequently. This is true even if your deck is older.

Before painting, staining, or sealing a composite deck, you should always check with the company that made the deck first. You may also want to purchase modern capped composite decking to reduce the amount of time and money you spend on maintenance each year.

Are you aware that you can paint or stain composite decking boards? If your composite decking is at least 10 years old, read this article to learn how to get the best finish.

1. What You Need to Know Before Painting Composite Decking

Most composite decks today have a polymer cap that protects the core from rotting and weathering. Therefore you cannot paint every composite decking board. Some older composite decks do not have a polymer shell, so you can easily paint or stain them. If you want more information, you can consult the composite decking manufacturer.

Before you start painting, you should inspect your boards. Check the product information or the cutout of the boards to see if they have polymer caps. Most caps have three or four sides, with some covering the entire profile and others covering only the top and sides.

Also, check for damage. Check for cracks, swells, and breaks, and repair anything that needs fixing. The deck structure should be in good condition and match the deck surface before treatment.

Composite decking is low-maintenance, and it doesn’t require a coat of paint or color to remain strong and attractive. Because of the polymer coating, water, and UV damage cannot enter the core. Painting is only for aesthetic purposes and does not improve the performance of composite decking boards. Over time, the paint may fade or peel, which will increase the need and cost of annual maintenance.

2. How Do I Paint Uncapped Composite Decking?

There is a lot of work that needs to be done on the boards before you can paint your old composite deck. As long as you know that your deck planks are ready to be painted, the rest of the process is very simple. To begin, you will need to have the following items on hand:

• Exterior-rated paint (follow your manufacturer’s guidelines)
• Primer
• Paint roller
• Brush
• Sander
• 240 grit sandpaper
• Deck cleaner
• Cleaning brush (follow your manufacturer guidelines)

2.1 Cleaning the Deck

First, you need to clean your composite deck thoroughly. Remove all decorations and furniture, and then remove any debris from the deck surface. Remove leaves and other adhesives from between the deck boards and the siding. It’s important to remember to use a crevice-cleaning tool to dig between each plank.

Next, check the deck manufacturer’s instructions and follow the cleaning steps they give. Scrub the deck surface with a brush and cleaner appropriate for the deck material and manufacturer. Then rinse the deck and allow it to dry completely. Also, make sure to remove any mold and mildew.

Do not start this work if you think there will be inclement weather in the next few days.

2.2 Sanding the Boards If Required

Once the deck is clean and dry, sand the surface of the deck by hand with 240-grit sandpaper or with a power sander to roughen it up a bit so the paint will adhere better.

Keep in mind that sanding may damage any grain or non-slip coating on the deck. So before you start sanding, consider what finishes are on the deck and how sanding might damage them.

After sanding the deck surface, use a broom, leaf blower or rag to clean the surface of any dust or dirt.

2.3 Applying Primer

Primer isn’t always necessary if you choose the right type of paint. However, it makes the deck surface smoother and easier to paint. If you want to know if the primer is right for your job, check with the paint manufacturer.

Use a brush to apply rubberized primer to all cracks and holes in the deck surface. Then, use a roller or brush to apply a smooth, even coat of primer to all planks of the deck.

Read the instructions for the primer to find out how long it will take to dry and give the surface plenty of time to dry. Once the primer is dry you are ready to paint.

2.4 Painting the Deck

Now you can paint the composite deck to give it a new look. Use a flexible roller to give the deck a smooth coat of paint, then use a hand brush to get deep into the cracks. If you need to, you can apply a second coat of paint and leave it to dry completely before placing your deck furniture on it. After that, you can have fun on the deck.

2.5 Sealing the Paint (optional)

After the paint dries, you may want to put a top coat on it to make it last longer and work better. Check with the company that manufactures the paint for their recommendations.

If you sand and paint your composite deck, keep in mind that some of the low-maintenance benefits will be lost. This is because over time, if the surface of the deck chips, flakes, or fades, you will have to repaint it.

If you apply a sealer over the paint, it will last longer so you won’t have to paint the deck as often. Just like with primer and paint, you’ll apply the sealer with a roller. Then let the coat dry completely.

Composite decks are better than wood decks in many ways, including the fact that they won’t fade, won’t be damaged by UV rays, and won’t be exposed to moisture. Composite decks without a polymer cap can be painted. This applies primarily to older composite decks. However, if you paint a wood deck, you may have to repaint it again in a few years because the paint will wear off.

3. To Summarize

Who wouldn’t want a brand-new deck that has been stained and has rich, vibrant colors? The problem is that regular wood decks fade quickly when stain is applied. If you want to keep the look of your new deck without the hassle, choose EVODEK’s high-quality capped composite decking. this composite decking doesn’t need to be stained, and its rich colors will last for decades, not days.

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