Paint or stain pine timber decking?

[Lumbergal]

We are currently in the middle of building. The deck on our house is treated pine and we'd like to give it a natural finish (stain/oil). I have read a few threads on this topic which have been very helpful however, our builder says that painting a pine deck is the best way to protect it. This is not what I've heard or read. Can anyone enlighten me??!! :?

[Wongo]

Listen to your builder. The best way to protect the deck is to paint it. Paint all faces of the boards and the bearers.

I will be building a new deck soon and that is exactly what I am going to do.

[Offcuts]

It is difficult to oil pine as the oil does not tend to penetrate too far.
There are numerous products specifically designed to help withstand the treatment decking gets.

[GraemeCook]

Listen to your builder. The best way to protect the deck is to paint it. Paint all faces of the boards and the bearers.

I will be building a new deck soon and that is exactly what I am going to do.


My treated pine deck is now 20 years old and the decking should last another 5+ years. The joists, posts and rails are all fine. It has never been painted, or oiled or anything.

If you do decide to paint it is far easier to do so before you put the decking on.

Cheers

Graeme

[Karl1]

Hi,

For what it's worth: I replaced my old verandah floorboards last year. They were some sort of hardwood, not pine. The boards had been previously painted (perhaps inexpertly) and the paint had begun to lift on most of the boards, most obviously where foot traffic was heaviest, causing the beginning of rot. So abrasion of the finish is something to consider. I oiled the replacement Tiwi boards and they look good and the finish will not lift, although it does require oiling every year. Other experts on the forum may have experience with pine in this context though.

[Sigidi]

Lumbergal, do yourself a favor, keep an eye out for trees coming down and get one of us mobile guys in to make you hardwood decking boards - cheaper and better than pine -IMHO.

The problem I see with painting decking, is you seal it up, this is okay for awhile, but when the seal breaks - as it will and most likely from the top due to traffic, then you have no way of getting moisture out quickly and it will promote rotting.

More often than not, decking fails at the intersection of the joist, (that's why they started making that reeded decking to try and combat this) my 2c would be to install that joist rubber stuff to try and negate this. It comes in a roll and you lay it over the joist prior to fitting the decking, it acts like a watershed, thus eliminating timber to timber contact which stays wet - causing rot.

[mozzaok]

Well I would not reccomend painting any deck, because the choice of products that actually enhance the appearance of your timber, and provide great protection, and are made specifically for decks, is huge.

We have a product in Melbourne called Cutek, which I am a massive fan of, it's ability to protect and penetrate is phenomenal, and it comes in a range of different timber coloured tints, or clear finishes.

There is also a QLD comapny who make an organic timber finish, which I have used a lot which gives the treated pine a great look, I particularly like the Teak, and Jarrah tinted versions on Treated pine decking. It is called Cooee.

So, as a carpenter, and someone who has had a fair amount to do with these sorts of products, I always advise people to stay away from any "Film" coat type of product, for external decking, unless they are obsessive in adherence to the prescribed maintenance regime to keep them in pristine condition.