paint or stain for outdoors??

last year

I have some new wooden steps built last year to help me negotiate the slopes in my yard. Pressure-treated, and was told to wait until this year to treat them.

What would be the best, longest-lasting treatment - paint or stain? Paint would enable me to match the house trim. I have the feeling that stain would last longer so it wouldn't have to be repeated as often. But can a stain be mixed to match my rather unusual house trim color???

Thanks for any advice!

Featured Answer

chisue

last year

last modified: last year

I see that you've already had the wood stairs built. For anyone else reading, consider avoiding wood. There is almost no maintenance if you use brick, stone, or concrete directly on earth.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

nicole
last year
last modified: last year
Stain can be mixed to match ANY color. Paint will peel off....stain won't. Use colored stain. Stain takes 3 coats....stagger each coat by a week....letting it dry inbetween coats.
roxanna thanked nicole
millworkman
last year
" Stain can be mixed to match ANY color. "

Yes and no, brand and type of stain dependent.

" Paint will peel off....stain won't. "

Solid color stain will peel off if the wood is not properly dry or prepped.

" Stain takes 3 coats "

What stain takes 3 coats? Many don't recommend more than one. Type of stain is important before stating that 3 coats are required as a FACT.
roxanna thanked millworkman
Related Professionals
Rolla Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Selma Landscape Contractors · Magnolia Landscape Contractors · Saint Marys Landscape Contractors · West Plains Tile and Stone Contractors · Killeen Tile and Stone Contractors · Bakersfield Tile and Stone Contractors · Lincoln Interior Designers & Decorators · Bend Interior Designers & Decorators · Cookeville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Chicago Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Jamestown Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · San Luis Obispo Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Cherry Hill Furniture & Accessories · Ottawa Furniture & Accessories
katlan
last year
I dont know about the number of coats etc. but I would go with stain for sure.
roxanna thanked katlan
fnmroberts
last year
Absolutely stain and a good brand from a reputable paint store. UV protection is provided with darker stain to further protect the wood. One coat after a thorough cleaning and several days to dry.
roxanna thanked fnmroberts
arcy_gw
last year
Opaque stains wear vs peel which is easier to reapply down the line when it needs refreshing.
roxanna thanked arcy_gw
roxanna
Original Author
last year
Thanks to each of you! Stain it will be. =)
HU-279332973
last year
I was going to say stain simply because of how easy it is to refresh. Very little prep. Good choice.

patriciae
roxanna thanked HU-279332973
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
Solid color stain, sounds like you need deckscapes from Sherwin Williams.
roxanna thanked HALLETT & Co.
Eileen
last year
last modified: last year
We have a stained cedar deck and we've put hours into maintaining it. I don't know if the advice here is applicable for pressure-treated wood so I would go to a retail lumber yard, one that sells more than just lumber, and ask their advice. They probably sell the product.

If you can use regular deck stain, we've had the best results from Cabot Stain and Sealer in a darker tone. We use Heartwood. Light colors need yearly restaining in our wet climate. Do not use any product that has acrylic. It's a plastic and you can never remove it all when it begins to flake off in areas. It took years of sanding to get most of it off our deck to apply fresh stain.
roxanna thanked Eileen
fnmroberts
last year
Recently had our 5 year old PT deck stained using Pro Luxe. One coat following a 3-day drying after pressure washing.
roxanna thanked fnmroberts
Lars
last year
On the Canadian show Backyard Builds, they use composite material instead of wood, and they pronounce it "COM puh zit" instead of "com POZ it". In addition to using it for deck, they also use it for siding, but you are stuck with whatever color you get when you buy it.
roxanna thanked Lars
colleenoz
last year
^^^^ The British/Australian pronounciation is also the same as the Canadian. In English the accent is usually on the first syllable, and this is no different.
roxanna thanked colleenoz