POLL Deck Staining Color Help PsIP

[mrsemilys]

We are getting ready to stain our new deck and DH wants to do a tone-on-tone look with the balusters and maybe the posts being a few shades lighter than the rest of the deck.  Here is the deck when it was almost finished:





My question is would you do the posts the lighter shade like the balusters or leave them dark like the decking and everything else leaving only the spindles light?

[mrs.jacinthe]

I think I'd do only the spindles lighter.

[mrsemilys]

May 22, 2013 17:47:18 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

I think I'd do only the spindles lighter.

Thanks for your input.  I think it will look ok either way.....I can't decide!!

[midwest07]

I am not sure what I would do, but I thought I would share the experience about how our deck stain has worn over the years and that may impact how you think about color. We stained ours 3 summers ago, all the same color, kind of a light red oak color, semi-transparent. All of the flat parts have worn down and faded, definitely due for a re-staining (though not sure if we will do it this summer or not!). The vertical parts - so the spindles and balusters - have not faded very much, at least not to the degree as the flat parts that get more direct sun and rain.

So if you did your balusters and posts a few shades lighter, then probably in a couple of years, the whole thing will look to be the same color. If you do them the same color, then over time, your balusters and posts would start to look darker.

Also, it doesn't take very much stain to do the posts and probably the balusters, but will take the most to do your flat parts, stairs, etc. So I wonder if you would waste a lot by having to buy a gallon to do the posts and balusters in another color, or maybe you could get a couple of quarts and get close to what you need.

Again, I don't really have a preference, but just some things I learned from experience that might be helpful to know.

[mrslch]

I'm having trouble visualizing. Do you have an inspiration picture? If it you're set on two tone, I think I'd do a lighter stain on the decking and a dark stain on the rails, posts and balusters. Like PP said, the decking will fade pretty fast.

[downtoearth]

Which kind of look are you going for?

This sort of look


or this?


If these are what you are going for, I'd do the posts, balusters, and spindles the same and then just the decking and stair decks darker.

[mrsemilys]

Thanks for your input.  I tried the SW color thing and it's mind numbing so I quit.  I know the decking will fade so maybe if I do the posts and balusters a lighter shade it will all even out in a few years.

[darby]

Can I vote SS?

I think all vertical parts of the deck should be painted white to match your trim. You have a beautiful home & a beautiful deck, but they don't really seam cohesive with no other natural/stained wood on your house. Then I would stain all horizontal boards whichever color stain you like the best. This is my opinion on any deck I see, it just sort of looks "stuck on" if it doesn't match any other features of the house imo.

[simpsongal]

I sort of agree w/darby, but I don' think it would look bad all stained. Agree w/others than it might not be worth it to stain the railings lighter (stain is also runny and hard to control).

I recommend Sikkens stain. It's pricey but holds up well. Our fence is "Mahogony" and looks great with the brick on our house.

btw - you should wait at least 6 months before staining pressure-treated pine.

[mrsemilys]

May 23, 2013 12:50:03 GMT -5 darby said:

Can I vote SS?

I think all vertical parts of the deck should be painted white to match your trim. You have a beautiful home & a beautiful deck, but they don't really seam cohesive with no other natural/stained wood on your house. Then I would stain all horizontal boards whichever color stain you like the best. This is my opinion on any deck I see, it just sort of looks "stuck on" if it doesn't match any other features of the house imo.

I wasn't clear that all horizontal boards will be stained a mid toned wood shade....not too dark not too light.  I love the idea of the white but figured it wouldn't wear well.  Do you think white would be different than a lighter grayish shade of wood?

[darby]

My parents had their deck stained light gray (to match/compliment their house) & it was really pretty & I think could totally work with the other color you're doing. I still think white paint would look best, but I'm sure it will definitely be more work than stain. My only concern with gray stain would be whether or not it would look dirty next to the bright white trim instead of pretty gray stain. Do you have any scrap boards that you could do samples on to see what you like best. I have a terrible time deciding things like this & would probably do that myself.

[mrslch]

Also, I think decks need to be re-stained like every 3 or 4 years.

[mrsemilys]

May 23, 2013 14:05:54 GMT -5 darby said:

My parents had their deck stained light gray (to match/compliment their house) & it was really pretty & I think could totally work with the other color you're doing. I still think white paint would look best, but I'm sure it will definitely be more work than stain. My only concern with gray stain would be whether or not it would look dirty next to the bright white trim instead of pretty gray stain. Do you have any scrap boards that you could do samples on to see what you like best. I have a terrible time deciding things like this & would probably do that myself.

I have done the samples.  Thanks for your help!