A deck can beautify your yard and provide a place for you to spend time with friends and family. Fast forward about a decade and you’ll notice that mother nature and father time are taking their toll on your beautiful outdoor space.
Deck resurfacers can help you restore the beauty and function to your deck quickly and easily.
We’ll be taking a closer look at the top deck resurfacers on the market today. This is our review of the best deck paint for restoring your deck.
The Top Five Deck Resurfacers
Let’s get right to it. Below is a short list of five top deck resurfacing options currently available. You will find the right resurfacer for you home based on your specific needs and your deck’s condition.
KILZ Deck Resurfacer For Armor Decks
KILZ’s acrylic finish is slip-resistant and durable. It is one of the most popular deck resurfacing products on the market.
Over Armor can be used on decks, boat docks and porches as well as concrete surfaces such as sidewalks or patios. You can also use it on vertical surfaces such as fence posts and railings.
You can get this finish in several popular wood colors, as well as some neutral grey shades for concrete repairs.
Over Armor has been engineered to resist mold, mildew, and algae as well as cracking, peeling, and other damage. You can choose between smooth or textured finishes so that you can find the right one for you.
Although it isn’t the most thick product on the market this one provides excellent coverage. It completely covers cracks and splinters and any burrs of any size. Each gallon will cover 75 square feet.
KILZ recommends two coats to ensure complete coverage. The surface can be re-coated in as little as six hours. Your deck will be ready for use 72 hours after it has cured. Get more inspiration and ideas from our creative deck designs.
What We Like
- Amazing coverage
- Available in smooth and textured finishes
- Affordable
What could be better?
- Only available in a handful of colors
- It is not recommended for extremely weathered surfaces
Restore Rust-Oleum Decks
Rust-Oleum Deck+Concrete Repair 10X is one of the most affordable and popular options available on the market. It’s a smart choice for decks with moderately weathered conditions.
This finish is ten-fold thicker than standard paint. It can easily cover most small and medium-sized imperfections, up to the size of standard paint.
This finish is not as effective at covering the entire surface. You can expect to pay more for it than with other options. Rust-Oleum suggests two coats to finish a job. Each gallon covers approximately 25-40 square feet.
This finish cures quickly, which is a benefit. After the second coat is applied, the finish can be used immediately. You can also add furniture or decor in 48 hours.
The finish is weatherproof and resistant against mold and algae. You can be confident that it will last for many years and require very little maintenance.
You can choose from 60 colors to match your home and deck.
What We Like
- You can choose from a variety of colors
- Amazing weather and stain resistance
KILZ Interior/Exterior Paint, Patio Enamel Porch & Patio, Low-Lustre In Slate Gray, 5 Liters
Anvil Deck-A New provides outstanding coverage and is a solid option to revitalize your deck.
Deck-A-New can cover all cracks, splinters and imperfections up to the size of your deck. It is comparable to other models. It provides a much better coverage than many of its competitors.
One gallon Deck-A-New covers 60 to 80 square feet. This is a lot more than what you’ll get with a gallon Rust-Oleum Deck+Concrete Restore.
This option is only available in a handful of popular colors. However, it does not offer nearly as many options as other products like the Rust-Oleum Refinisher.
Deck-A-New can withstand any weather conditions and is highly weather-resistant. It doesn’t offer the same level or resistance to mold, mildew and algae as other brands, which could be a problem if you live somewhere humid and damp.
Anvil makes a Deck-A-New sealant that is more resistant to weather and mold, mildew, or algae. This sealant is especially useful for decks with severely weathered surfaces that are on the last legs.
What could be better?
- Limited availability
Rust-Oleum ROCKSOLID Deck Restorer 20X
Rust-Oleum ROCKSOLID is a great product if you have a badly weathered deck in dire need of restoration.
The product can be used in the same way as RustOleums Deck+Concrete Restorer and is available in the same amazing range of colors. It is also one of the most efficient. It can be applied to your surface in 4-6 hours and is ready to use in 24 hours. It is twice as thick as the Rust-Oleum finish, which means it’s 20 times thicker that standard paint.
This add-on thickness gives you impressive protection for decks that have been severely weathered or damaged. It also provides the deck with the longest lasting and most weatherproof finish.
ROCKSOLID is also resistant to mold, mildew and algae, making it suitable for use in humid and wet climates.
You will need to use Rustoleum’s special applicator roller for this product. However, one roller is sufficient to apply up to eight gallons worth of resurfacer.
What We Like
- Perfect for extremely weathered surfaces
- You can choose from a variety of colors
- Amazing weather and stain resistance
Flood/PPG Pro Series Deck Resurfacer
Flood, a family-owned business that has been around since 1841 is one of the most respected wood finishing specialists in the world. Their Pro Series deck resurfacer is one of the best on the market. They have partnered with PPG.
The finish can be tinted in 120 different colors. This is twice the number of options offered by Rust-Oleum and ten times more than many of its competitors. This resurfacer is a great option if you are very particular about the finish.
It provides impressive coverage at 75 feet per gallon. This makes it one the most economical on the market.
It is non-slip and textured. You can clean it with soap and water or a power washer. It is also weather- and mildew-resistant, as well as being resistant to mold and algae.
Although it dries quickly, it can take longer to heal so you may want to wait 48 to 72 hours before you start adding furniture or walking on the deck.
What We Like
- You can choose from a wide range of colors
- Amazing coverage
- Affordable
- Algae, mildew and mold resistance
What could be better?
- It takes a while to heal
Deck Resurfacing Guide
You can choose from one of our options or go it alone to find the perfect deck resurfacer.
What Is A Deck Resurfacer?
Deck resurfacers can be used to extend the life of decks. These resurfacers are similar to deck paint or stain in that they can be applied with a paintbrush, roller or paintbrush. However, the similarities end there.
Deck resurfacers have thick industrial coatings. They are usually 5-10x thicker than paint and many times thicker that a stain.
While paint and stain are great for enhancing the wood’s natural beauty, deck resurfacers can be applied to decks that have been exposed to the elements and need to last a long time.
Deck resurfacers are thick enough to fill cracks, burrs and nail holes in wood. This uniform look can help extend the life expectancy of old decks.
Deck Resurfacers: The Pros
A deck resurfacer has one major advantage. Deck resurfacing can prolong the life of your deck, so that you can enjoy an outdoor space that is beautiful and functional for many years.
Nature takes its toll on decks as they age. Your deck can crack, chip, or warp, and nails are exposed. Before you know it, your beautiful deck will be an eyesore and a potential danger.
Deck resurfacing is the solution. Deck resurfacers can be thicker than paints and stains and can cover any imperfections your deck may have developed over time.
These are also easy to use and can be done in a matter of days. However, stain or paint will not be able address the root issues of your deck.
They are virtually maintenance-free and come in a variety of colors to match your style. Many resurfacers are able to do double duty and can work on both wood and concrete, as well as other substrates.
The Cons Of Deck Resurfacers
Deck resurfacers have their pros and cons.
Deck resurfacers are often considered the final straw in deck maintenance. It is almost impossible to remove a deck resurfacer after it has been applied.
Deck resurfacers are also great at holding in heat, so it can be uncomfortable to walk on the deck without shoes.
Deck resurfacers are also more expensive than paint and stain on a per-foot basis. However, resurfacing your deck will cost you much less than replacing it completely.
Proper preparation is crucial when you apply a deck resurfacer. You could end up with peeling that can severely affect the integrity of your deck.
How To Choose A Deck Resurfacer
You may be thinking that a deck resurfacer sounds good to you. We will now discuss the characteristics and features you should look out for in order to make the right choice for your deck.
Thickness
The thickness of your resurfacer is an important consideration. How thick the finish should be will depend on how damaged your deck is. A thicker coating is recommended for decks with severe cracks and imperfections.
A thinner finish is best for decks with less wear and smaller imperfections.
Insurance
You should also consider the coverage each can of resurfacer provides. Thicker finishes will offer more coverage than thicker finishes. It is important to know how many cans each one will cover so you can accurately estimate the job’s cost.
Finish
There are both smooth and textured deck resurfacers. For decks with severe wear, a textured finish is preferred as it helps to mask the wood beneath. If you have children, a textured finish may be an option.
Weather and stain resistance
Although deck resurfacers are generally weather-resistant, they can be susceptible to mold, mildew and algae due to their thicker finishes.
Some brands have developed finishes that resist these types of problems. They can also reduce the need for cleaning and maintenance.
Additional Information
Deck resurfacing isn’t as easy as just applying the finish. Deck resurfacers will require that you prepare the deck using special cleaners and primers, before applying the finish. Some brands require that you use a special brush or roller to apply the finish.
Preparation is key to a beautiful deck that lasts. Don’t underestimate its importance. You may also want to avoid brands that require you to buy expensive products to prepare your deck for refinishing.
Color
Deck resurfacers have a major advantage: they come in a variety of colors so that you can choose a color that matches your exterior. Some manufacturers make only a few colors, so your options are limited.
You may be concerned about the color of your finish. Make sure you choose a brand that has many options to match your deck with your home’s exterior.
Final Verdict
Deck resurfacers are a great way to extend the life and beauty of your deck without spending a lot. These finishes make it possible to restore your deck’s beauty quickly and for a fraction of the cost of replacing it.
Five of the most popular options were discussed above. Each resurfacer offers a durable and high-quality finish. However, there is only one winner.
Flood/PPGs Pro Series resurfacer is our choice for best deck resurfacer. You can choose from a variety of colors. It is weather-resistant, resistant to mold, mildew and algae and easy to clean. This finish is also very affordable due to its impressive coverage.
Flood/PPG offers the best features for a reasonable price, making it our top pick.
RustOleums ROCKSOLID20X is a great alternative if you have a deck with severe weathering that other resurfacers such as Flood/PPG can’t handle.
