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Painting the Decks

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R&SB

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Nov 16, 2002, 9:00:11 AM11/16/02
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My husband and I just had two decks built onto our house. I'm trying to
talk
him into using solid stain to paint them to match the house. The house is
painted in solid stain, a Colonial blue with charcoal trim. I think the
deck
would look really great if we painted it to match.
We are going to sell the house in the spring so I think this would add to
the value of the property if the deck matched the house.
What do you think?

Sue

Lazenby

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Nov 16, 2002, 10:04:08 AM11/16/02
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Try "painting" the deck trim to match the house trim. Leave
the decking its natural color. The trim will better tie the
deck to the house. The decking has no real counterpart on
the house (except maybe the roofing) and painting it will
not likely give you the effect you want. Besides, it won't
wear as the house does, so it would not match for long . . .
not even until spring.

I sincerely believe your matching the deck trim (railings,
exposed structure, etc.) will tie the package nicely plus
will emphasize the deck as part of that package.
(Highlight, if you will.) Start with the most obvious part
that defines the perimeter of the deck. Live with that a
few days. If there is a railing or stair, paint the posts
and bottom and top rails. If there are vertical slats,
leave them natural initially. Afterward, if you think the
entire railing/stair should be painted, do them. I would
not paint the decking boards or stair treads. If any stair
has closed risers, you might paint the risers but not the
treads.

If you are reselling, a fully painted deck says very clearly
"high maintenance". Not a good message. Also, it will be
unusual, so you won't be appealing to the majority, and it
may be a turn-off, while wood decking is pretty much
accepted universally.

Depending on how your house is trimmed and how much trim
there is, you might consider using the body color on the
deck trim rather than the charcoal. Frankly, charcoal
doesn't look all that great unless paired with a nice color.
It certainly doesn't wear too well. The blue will still
look nice when somewhat worn, while the charcoal will just
look worn-out.

But, please don't paint the deck boards in this particular
case. If in the spring you feel strongly that it will help,
paint the decking then.

Jim
"R&SB" <bis...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
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Lazenby

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Nov 16, 2002, 10:36:14 AM11/16/02
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I've got the tail wagging the dog here.

Paint (not stain) your house trim white. The blue and
charcoal are OK in their place, but the white will make your
house SING (or give it wings, like Red Bull). (You might
leave some accents charcoal but basically keep all the trim
white.)

Paint (not stain) your deck trim as I originally posted (but
in white).

You'll be glad you did!

Jim

"Lazenby" <aajwl...@gbronline.com> wrote in message
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BP

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Nov 16, 2002, 1:56:15 PM11/16/02
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You asked for construction advice, Right? oh well....

Painting decks exposed to weather = bad idea. I'm looking at my mistake
right now, and I am no slouch when it comes to maintenance. If I were to do
a fir or mahogany deck again I would only use a clear decking oil. Period.

"R&SB" <bis...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
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: My husband and I just had two decks built onto our house. I'm trying to

:
:
:


R&SB

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Nov 17, 2002, 12:02:23 AM11/17/02
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Thanks for the info. I do think it's too late and
too cold to paint this year and will have to wait
until spring.

Sue

"Lazenby" <aajwl...@gbronline.com> wrote in message
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R&SB

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Nov 17, 2002, 12:04:27 AM11/17/02
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We won't be repainting the trim. I don't dare recommend it, especially
since
my husband just spent several weeks doing the entire house!
Actually the blue with charcoal fits in nicely since the house sits 400 feet
from the road and is framed with trees.

Sue

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