COMPARISONS
Paint vs Stain for a Deck: Cost, Longevity and Best Finish
Compare paint vs stain for decks: cost per sq ft, longevity, maintenance, appearance and which finish protects wood best in 2026.
Paint and stain protect a deck, but they protect it differently. Paint forms a film on the surface; stain soaks into the wood. The choice changes cost, maintenance and how often you refinish. Here are the real numbers.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Paint vs stain deck cost
Staining a deck costs $2-$4 per sq ft; painting costs $3-$5 per sq ft. Stain lasts 1-6 years depending on opacity and is easier to refresh; paint lasts 3-7 years but can peel on horizontal surfaces and needs more prep to redo.
Cost per square foot
Staining a deck averages $2-$4 per sq ft for materials and labor combined ($500-$1,500 for a 400 sq ft deck). Painting a deck averages $3-$5 per sq ft ($1,200-$2,000 for the same deck). Premium stains and two-coat paint jobs push both higher.
Labor dominates: surface prep, cleaning, sanding and drying time cost more than the material. A neglected deck costs more in prep regardless of finish.
- Stain: $2-$4/sq ft; 400 sq ft deck ≈ $500-$1,500
- Paint: $3-$5/sq ft; 400 sq ft deck ≈ $1,200-$2,000
- Prep and cleaning add 30-50% to both
- Premium solid stains approach paint prices
Longevity and maintenance
Transparent and semi-transparent stains last 1-3 years and need regular reapplication. Solid stains last 3-6 years. Paint lasts 3-7 years but peels and chips when moisture gets trapped under the film, which is common on decks. Stain is generally easier to refresh because it does not peel.
- Transparent stain: 1-3 years
- Solid stain: 3-6 years
- Paint: 3-7 years, but risk of peeling on horizontal wood
- Stain refreshes easily; paint requires scraping and priming before repainting
Which should you choose?
Choose stain when you want the wood grain to show, easier maintenance and faster refresh cycles. Choose paint when you want full color coverage and a more finished, uniform look — accepting that repainting will require more prep when the film fails.