Most homeowners are faced with this very question at one point during ownership. Perhaps they just moved into a house and the deck is in disrepair. Maybe over time the deck has undergone a lot of wear and tear and needs to be improved. In some cases, the owner just wants a new look to the deck. Whatever the reason is, a change to the deck is needed.

Almost all decks are made up of wood and have the potential to be sanded. Is that the main thing that should be done to them? Well, no. It really depends on what the rest of the house looks like and what is taking place on the deck. Let’s look at two things that can be done to a deck, namely, painting or sanding and refinishing.

Painting the deck
Some homeowners feel that painting the deck is the way to go. Yes, in some cases it can be. However, less people are painting decks nowadays. One reason is that it takes a long time to dry initially since you have to put on several layers to protect it. Also with time the deck looks old and classic as opposed to modern and traditional. However, painting is still a valid option.

Color choice is big for painting a deck. People tend to use a color that dominates the outside of the house and that is understandable. What needs to be watched for is using colors that have nothing to do with the outside of the house and sticks out in comparison. The colors of choice for decks have been whites and dark reds, but other colors have been known to work.

A big determination factor is budget and labor. Usually in older homes, decks have already been painted. So taking off the existing paint to explore another option can be tedious, time consuming, and costly. Deck removal also can be costly when one thinks about the how much it would be to remove, dispose, and rebuild a deck. So decks that have already been painted, most people have just repainted them again.

Sanding and refinishing
People tend to lean towards finished wood decks because it has a clean look. Not as much work to maintain, and is very modern. However, do not be fooled. It does take several layers to protect the wood and to keep it from splintering.

Color choice is also important. One can go with a light stain, natural stain, or a dark stain. Each one depends on the homeowner. From general observation, it has been noticed that people decide to go with the natural look. However, home improvement magazines and television shows have shown that light and dark decks work perfectly.

Budget and labor varies on finished wood decks. If the deck is currently painted and you seek to remove the paint and go with a natural color, you are in for a lot of hard work and should expect to dip heavily into your pockets if contracted out. But, if the wood is already bare or has a preexisting finish, the job is not bad at all.

The choice is yours
The choice largely depends on what appeals to you. Count the costs, consider the time and labor involved, and remember that this investment will be there for years to come for all to see.