How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Deck?

The cost to paint a deck ranges from $600 to $1,500 or about $2 to $5 per square foot. Painting a 300-square-foot surface is $1,050 on average, but many factors can increase the price. The labor rate, material condition, and paint quality, for example, can all drive up the total.

Typical Deck Painting Costs

Average Cost to Paint a Deck

On average, expect to pay about $3 per square foot to paint a bare wood deck. With the typical deck spanning 300 to 400 square feet, total project costs are around $900 to $1,200, or about $1,050 on average. This total includes up to 50 linear feet of basic railings around the edges.

Cost to Repaint a Deck

The cost to repaint an already-painted deck typically costs more, from $3 to $7 per square foot. This covers additional prep and cleaning prices, like deck pressure washing costs. At $5 per square foot for a 300-square-foot deck, you’d pay $1,500 in total for repainting.

Cost to Paint a Pool Deck

Painting a wood or concrete pool deck costs between $600 and $1,500. This task requires special paint priced at $75 per gallon. Despite the cost, the formula only covers up to 125 square feet since it creates a non-slip texture. Regular deck paint covers up to 300 square feet, in comparison.

Cost to Paint a Porch

When painting a porch, expect to pay $2 to $5 per square foot. The overall cost runs between $300 and $750, or $525 on average, since porches are usually 150 square feet at most. The total includes up to 25 linear feet of railings. Porches with detailed railings, built-in benches, or other features can cost more to paint.

Cost to Paint Deck and Porch Railings

It will cost $5 to $14 per linear foot to paint just the deck and porch railings. For porches, 25 linear feet of railings costs $125 to $350. For decks, prices range from $250 to $700 for 50 linear feet. For full projects, deck refinishing prices of $3 to $7 per square foot include all railings.

Cost to Paint Spindles

The cost to paint spindles is $5 to $14 per linear foot. When refinishing all the railings, the rate includes spindles as well. You may need another $40 to $60 gallon of paint if you want the spindles a different color though.

Cost to Paint Pergola

The cost to paint a pergola is $2 to $5 per square foot (in line with your deck painting cost).You’ll spend from $200 to $500 for a 10-by-10-foot structure. Since most decks and porches do not have pergolas, this expense adds to the base price.

Deck Paint Cost

The cost of deck paint runs from $40 to $60 per gallon. Each gallon covers from 125 to 300 square feet; you’ll typically need two coats when painting a deck.

Unlike products used to simply paint the exterior of your home, porches and decks use special formulas. These formulas help improve traction and withstand weathering better than other types. Pool decks require an even more enhanced and expensive type of paint to prevent slipping.

Other Deck Painting Cost Factors

Additional pricing factors can drive up the average cost to paint a deck. When estimating your project costs, consider its current condition, wood needed for replacement boards, your climate, and the type of paint you’ll use.

Condition

A new deck is already conditioned for painting or staining, but an existing deck might require prep work before painting can begin. That means you’ll need to budget for deck repair costs, which can include stripping and sanding. In some cases, you may need to replace entire boards if they’re in poor condition.

Decking Material

When prepping an older deck for repainting, you might discover that you need to replace several rotten or warped deck boards that are beyond repair. You won’t need to budget for the full cost of building a deck when calculating wood prices, but you will need to factor in the costs of replacement boards, which can vary by material.

Climate

Where you live can impact the average cost to paint a deck, both in terms of the rates of exterior painters near you and your climate. If you live in a colder climate, painters will have a shorter window of opportunity to paint decks. This increased demand in a shorter time frame can drive up prices.

Oil vs. Water-Based Paint

Deck paint already carries a higher price tag ($40 to $60 per gallon) than traditional paint you’d use inside your home. Oil-based paints last longer but tend to be on the higher end of the price range; water-based paints are more affordable.

You can also budget for primer ($15 to $30 per gallon) to improve the effectiveness of the paint.

Benefits of Painting Your Deck

For many homeowners, there are several benefits to painting or repainting a deck, such as:

• Weather-proofing: The main benefit of painting your deck is to provide a layer of weather protection. Decks are outside year-round in the elements; paint (or stain) is necessary to protect the deck from the UV rays of the sun and the wetness of rain, hail, and snow.

• Longevity: When you weather-proof your deck by painting it, you can expect it to last longer. Painting deck boards every few years is a more affordable alternative to regularly replacing them.

• Safety: Because painting your deck can postpone rotting (until the paint starts to chip), paint inherently makes decks safer for those who stand on them. If you have a pool deck or a deck often exposed to rain, you can purchase specific paint that provides grip even when wet, keeping you and your family from slipping.

• Aesthetics: Unlike a kitchen or bathroom (rooms in your home that serve a function), decks are often leisure spots and places of relaxation. If a specific paint color can make you feel a certain way and create the sense of escape you’re seeking from your deck, it can be worth the cost alone. Painting can also cover unwanted flaws that might detract from your experience.

DIY vs. Hire a Deck Painting Pro

Painting your deck yourself is doable, but it is a time-consuming and laborious process. However, painting your deck means your only costs are materials—which could lead to significant savings.

Hiring a professional painter, however, ensures much better results. Experts know how to prep the surface to ensure paint will stick and withstand all weather conditions. They also know how to buy the right products and apply them using proven techniques.

FAQs

Is it better to paint or stain a deck?

When painting a deck, you can choose any color, and cleanup is easy, but paint hides the natural wood grain. Stain, on the other hand, lets the wood grain shine through, but it requires more deck maintenance. The cost to seal a deck is about the same price as painting. Weigh your personal preferences to see which option benefits you most.

How do you prepare a deck for painting?

Bare wood or cement decks only need cleaning before applying the first coat of paint. If the surface gets a recoating, however, then you must also pressure wash it to remove chipped paint and debris. Either way, allow the surface to fully dry before moving forward. Otherwise, the finish could peel.

How much paint do I need for my deck?

A gallon of paint covers between 125 to 300 square feet, depending on its formula. But a deck might need two coats of paint. That means, for a standard 300-square-foot deck, you might need 2 to 4 gallons of paint. Paint designed for use on a pool deck covers far less than normal deck formulas. The texturized material creates a non-slip surface but takes up more room in the can.

How much to pressure wash and paint a deck?

For exterior surfaces like decks, pressure washing costs range from $120 to $300, depending on the size and condition of the area; it costs an average of $150 to pressure wash a standard deck. Painting a standard 300- to 400-square-foot deck costs $1,050, so the total project cost is about $1,200.

How much does it cost to stain a deck?

The cost to stain a deck ranges from $2 to $4 per square foot, which is similar to the average deck painting cost. For a 300- to 400-square-foot deck, you might pay from $600 to $1,600 for staining. After staining, it’s a good idea to seal the deck; sealing a deck costs about $0.50 to $3 per square foot.