2021 deck painting guide: Colors, peeling, and maintenance 

It is nearly spring, which means that many of us will be spending more time outside enjoying the nice, warm weather on our decks. 

Hopefully, your deck handled the winter reasonably well and will not need any significant maintenance this year. If your deck is looking a little beat up, here are a few tips to get your painted deck back in shape for the warmer months. 

How to paint a deck with peeling paint

Uh-oh, your deck’s paint is peeling. It is never a pretty sight, and it will need a bit of work to fix.  

Unfortunately, you cannot just put a fresh coat of paint over a patch of dry, peeling paint and pretend it never happened. 

The first step to getting your deck back to normal is to assess how much paint is peeling off. If there is just a small area where the paint is peeling away, there could be a leak or something specific causing the damage in that area. Do a little investigating and see if you can identify the source of the problem. Have the problem fixed before you try to repaint your deck. 

Once that is squared away, you can move forward with painting. To begin the repainting process, scrape the old, loose paint off your deck using a stiff brush or scraping tool. After the old layer of paint is gone, sand the area down until it is smooth. Sweep off any debris from the deck and make sure the area you plan to paint is clean. 

Moisture can ruin paint and cause more peeling deck paint in the future. Wait until the deck is completely dry before you start painting. Ideally, you will have at least 48 hours of dry weather before and after you plan to have your deck painted.  

A fresh coat of paint will be applied using a brush or roller. Each coat of paint will need to dry before another coat can get added. 

It is best to work with a professional experienced with deck painting projects. If the deck paint is not properly applied, it can lead to further peeling down the road. 

How to prevent peeling paint on your deck

As long as you take proper care of your deck, a good coat of paint can last more than ten years. The deck paint will also help protect your deck from sun damage and moisture, so it is a good idea to check and make sure your deck paint is in good shape every year. 

Now that your deck is painted, here is how to make sure the paint does not peel again. 

First of all, be sure that the paint you selected for your deck is formulated for outdoor deck use. Always use high-quality exterior paint that is recommended by a professional. Deck paint needs to withstand the elements and frequent foot traffic, so most exterior paint will not be strong enough for your deck. 

You can lengthen the lifespan of your deck’s paint by trying to keep your deck as dry as possible. Moisture on your deck causes paint to weaken over time. If you have rugs on your deck, be sure they are plastic or synthetic. Rugs or mats made of natural materials tend to trap moisture. 

Also, be sure you keep your deck clean and quickly take care of any dirt or debris. If you let leaves and dirt accumulate on your deck, it can eat into the paint and cause mildew and rot. 

The best deck paint colors and exterior trends for 2021

If you are repainting your deck this year and want to be sure your home is looking on-trend, here are a few exterior paint colors and styles that will be big this year: 

– Bronze

Dark bronze paint colors are very popular in 2021. If you want to add a trendy touch to your outdoor space, consider a deep bronze shade. You can also style your deck using bronze lighting fixtures and accents. 

– Two-tone 

Two-tone, complementary paint colors are a way to make a unique statement with your exterior paint colors this year. You can choose two colors for your deck and paint individual boards in different colors to create a little visual interest. 

– Dark Gray or Black

Do not be afraid to get a little dark with your deck colors. Darker decks can make a bold statement and compliment the rest of your home. Dark gray or blacks can give your home a more sleek and contemporary look. 

– Pale Gray

On the other hand, you can also choose to use a pale gray on your deck, which will look especially nice with white deck railings. 

– Slate blue

Slate blue is on the gray-er side of the blues, and it is expected to be very popular for 2021. If you want to have some fun with your deck color, but not too much fun, do not rule out the lighter blue shades. 

– Navy blue

Navy blue has been in style for a couple of seasons now, especially on exterior siding. A navy blue deck will make your white trim pop and give your deck some fun, cheery character. 

Do not let a peeling deck ruin your spring. If you are in the greater Boston area, call Spectra Painting Contractors to fix your deck’s peeling paint and get it looking great for summer.