You can absolutely paint pressure-treated you just can’t do it when it’s brand new. At three years old it’s more than possible to paint it. Sand it well, use an oil based slow dry primer, and two coats of latex house paint to match existing trim. If you don’t want to do that, just use an opaque stain, I like the one from Sherwin-Williams. I see no reason to switch everything to vinyl when you have perfectly good wood railings right now.

Glory be!! Yay!!! We live in Canada. Could you please recommend a certain good brand of paint to do this please? Or. As far as the stain goes, what colour would you suggest? i know it cannot be lighter than the wood is now, but...?

Also, how can I test whether the wood will accept the paint?

It will- after three years you just need to make sure it is dry ( warm spring day a couple days after the last rain)

Is oil based primer still available up there? If so you want the 24hr dry version not the quick dry, if not then ask for the best exterior primer they sell.

You do want to sand first, typically pressure treated wood is pretty low quality and not finished at the factory. 60 grit paper in a square buff sander would be enough to smooth everything and give it tooth as well. Prep will be 80% of the job (it always is)

Hear that??? ......... That’s me hopping around excited and so grateful you took the time to advise!

Thank you so much! :). :)

I think staining the porch in a tone just barely darker than the natural color you have now would look great with your house, and be easier to maintain in the long run than paint.

I can't add anything to the excellent advice Hallett gave you, other than to say I've been painting pressure treated wood for literally decades. :) So I don't know what idiot told you that you can't, but they are very wrong.

Follow Hallet's advice for the prep and you won't have any trouble. A nice white will look beautiful on your new house.

It would be great to be maintenance free, but I cannot see houses online that are grey blue sided with stained verandahs. Will that look okay?

Below this photo of the way my front door looks currently is the blue door paint colour I want to do with white trim.

Pt can’t be painted at first because it is so wet and full of chemicals. Usually after six months you are fine. It holds paint very well so will be virtually care free once done. I would still use opaque stain on the deck surface (versus paint). The blue you selected is pretty but I would use it on the door only, let the sidelights and trim all be white

For what it is worth I think your house is quite nice as is and that your choice of a new door color is lovely.

I do think you need a path to the front door. If I didn’t mind spending the money (and if it fit in with the neighborhood), I would probably create a rather large square “landing” with some kind of informal stone work, and drift a path in the direction of your garage. If that’s too expensive, I think you can drift a path up to your front steps with random flat stones, one that isn’t as wide as your steps, and soften the edges with plantings.

Were it my house I would put flower baskets all along the railings. I think there are some pretty plants you can have in there that deer won’t stand on their hind legs to eat.

70's Ranch Exterior · More Info

70's Ranch Exterior · More Info

When I lived in a snowy climate with plenty of deer around they didn’t eat my foundation plants which were flowering laurel and hydrangea. I also had forsythia, Japanese maple, shad bush and a climbing rose they left alone.

Something inexpensive like these, adapted to your space, could be nice

Stone garden path off back deck · More Info

Major Renovation for a Craftsman-style Forest Park Bungalow · More Info

I would use deer and rabbits resistant plants, flower baskets.

Some idea

Thank you for your idea! I think the door needs to pop...would you please be able to show me the door trim/framing with white paint and the powder blue colour door?

We do need a sidewalk badly.....the past residents didn’t put one in.

I just saw the sidewalk now! Love the idea of flagstone!

Thank you Celery! That was nice of you! It’s easier to visualize ...colour makes the door <pop>!