How Much Does Deck Painting Cost in 2025?
Painting a deck costs an average of $1,000
The cost to paint a deck ranges from $500 to $2,000 or $1,000 on average.
Factors affecting cost include labor rates, deck condition, paint type, and climate.
Painting your deck weatherproofs it, extends its lifespan, enhances safety, and improves aesthetics.
Regularly painting your deck every few years helps maintain its appearance and structural integrity.
Painting a deck can be a DIY project, but hiring a professional ensures better results.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Deck painting costs range from $500 to $2,000, with an average of $1,000 for a 300-square-foot deck. That works out to an average of $2 to $5 per square foot. Factors like your local labor rates, your deck's condition, the paint type, and your deck size influence the total cost. By budgeting for regular repainting every few years and hiring a professional exterior painter, you can ensure lasting results for your deck.
Deck Painting Cost Factors
Several factors can affect the total cost of painting your deck. When estimating your project costs, consider your deck's current condition, any wood needed for replacement boards, your local climate, and the type of paint you'll use.
Deck Size
The size of your deck is one of the main cost factors that impact your project’s total. The larger your deck is, the more paint you’ll need, and the more you’ll pay in labor for painting and prep time.
Materials
The cost of deck paint runs from $20 to $70 per gallon. Each gallon covers from 200 to 400 square feet, and you’ll usually 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.
Deck Condition
If your deck is new, it's already prepped for painting or staining. But if you have an existing deck, some prep work might be required before you can begin painting. 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.
Climate
Your location can impact the average cost to paint your deck, both in terms of local exterior painter rates and your climate. If you live in a colder area, painters 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 carries a higher price tag ($20 to $70 per gallon) than the traditional paint you'd use inside your home. Oil-based paints last longer but are on the higher end of the price range, while water-based paints are more affordable.
You can also budget for primer ($20 to $50 per gallon) to improve the effectiveness of the paint.
Repainting
The cost to repaint an already-painted deck costs more, adding $0.50 to $2 per square foot for paint stripping.
Benefits of Painting Your Deck
Painting your deck offers several benefits:
Weather-proofing: Painting adds a layer of protection against the elements. Since your deck is outside year-round, paint or stain is necessary to shield it from the sun's UV rays and moisture from rain, hail, and snow.
Longevity: By weather-proofing your deck with paint, you can help it last longer. Painting your deck boards every few years is a cost-effective alternative to regularly replacing them.
Safety: Painting can help prevent rot, making your deck safer to walk on. If you have a pool deck or a deck exposed to rain, you can choose specific paint that provides grip even when wet, keeping you and your family from slipping.
Aesthetics: Your deck is a place for leisure and relaxation. Choosing a paint color that makes you feel a certain way can create the sense of escape you're seeking. 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 can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Hiring a professional painter, however, ensures better results. Pros know how to prep the surface properly so the paint sticks and withstands all weather conditions. They also know how to choose the right products and apply them using proven techniques. Professional deck painters charge $25 to $100 per hour.
If you're ready to give your deck a professional finish, hire a local exterior painting pro to ensure quality results that last.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you paint your deck, you can choose any color, and cleanup is easy, but the paint hides the natural wood grain. Stain, on the other hand, lets the wood grain shine through, but requires more maintenance. The cost to seal a deck is about the same as painting. Consider your personal preferences to see which option benefits you most.
For bare wood or cement decks, you only need to clean the surface before applying the first coat of paint. If you're recoating an existing finish, you'll need to pressure wash the deck to remove chipped paint and debris. Either way, make sure to allow the surface to fully dry before moving forward; otherwise, the finish could peel.
A gallon of paint covers between 125 and 300 square feet, depending on its formula. Since your deck might need two coats of paint, for a standard 300-square-foot deck, you might need two to four gallons. If you're painting a pool deck, keep in mind that the specialized non-slip paint covers less area because the texturized material takes up more space in the can.
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 $0.50 to $3 per square foot.
Yes, you can paint directly over old deck paint if the existing finish is in excellent condition. You should inspect the surface to ensure there's no cracking, peeling, or chipping before proceeding. If you notice any deterioration, you'll need to remove the compromised paint. Clean your deck thoroughly with a power washer, lightly sand any rough spots, and use the same type of paint to guarantee proper adhesion and long-lasting performance.
Yes, applying a coat of primer before painting your deck is essential unless you're using a combined 2-in-1 formula. Primer enhances the adhesion of the new paint, establishes a moisture barrier, and creates a smooth, uniform surface. Be sure to inspect your deck for any defects or old finishes, and use a high-quality primer to fully prepare the surface for a durable and pristine finish.
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