Low Cost Options For High Style Improvements

(HIT) - As the summer season approaches, decks are the entertaining space of choice for many homeowners. However, before you pull out that table and umbrella, think about re-energizing this space with a fresh coat of paint or stain. Debbie Zimmer, color and paint expert with the Paint Quality Institute says, "Not only will you enhance this often-used exterior "room", but you will also protect the actual wood surface and by protecting the surface, your deck will last longer."

Zimmer adds, "While browns and grey continue to be favorite color selections when painting or staining a deck, homeowners are increasingly choosing combinations that suit their home or decorating style." If you're not quite ready to add multiple hues to the entire space, add a punch of color by incorporating complementary or bold and bright colors onto railings, planter boxes, built-in benches or even deck trellises.

Remember, when it comes to painting your deck, you have plenty of options to harmonize or complement your outdoor surroundings.

1. A coat of semi-transparent stain can be a great way to spruce up a wooden deck. It lets you add some color to the wood without hiding its grain or texture.
2. If viewing the wood grain is not a high priority, an opaque deck stain can be a better choice. These products, which can be oil based or latex, are more like paints in their pigmentation and so typically hold up longer than a semi transparent stain.
3. Of course, if you don't want to show either the grain or the texture of the wood, a quality porch and deck paint or enamel may be the way to go. It will last longer than any type of stain although you may need to use a primer for best results.

About the Paint Quality Institute

The Paint Quality Institute (SM) was formed by Rohm and Haas Company (now Dow Advanced Materials) in 1989 to educate people on the advantages of using quality interior and exterior paints and coatings. The Paint Quality Institute's goal is to provide information on the virtues of quality paint as well as color trends and decorating with paint through a variety of vehicles, including television appearances, newspaper and magazine articles, and instructional literature. Please be sure to visit the Paint Quality Institute at www.paintquality.com