If you have a patio and a deck, you want to make sure that you have a great look that accentuates your outdoor area. However, making the right decision can be quite difficult. If you want the perfect deck stain, we have found a few ways to narrow down your options.
What material is your deck?
The number of deck stains available to you might be limited, depending on your deck material. For example, you can only get so far when it comes to staining wooden decks. If you want more colors with a wooden deck, you might have to consider painting.
Color theory can help
Color theory sounds far more difficult than it really is because the actual concept is rather simple. You want to use colors that are close to one another on the color wheel (called analogous color schemes). Alternative, you can use colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel (which are complementary schemes). Examples of analogous color schemes include brown, orange, and red. If you want an example of complementary colors, look no further than yellow and blue. If you use contrasting colors, you can create a dynamic effect. This can be a great way to make a part of your patio deck pop.
Consider your wear and tear
Different parts of your deck are going to be used differently. For example, you have more traffic on your stairs than you do on your railings. This means that you need to consider the color and finish when considering your deck color. Maintenance is going to play an important role. You are going to need to clear your deck regularly anyway, but you might occasionally need to reapply your finish as well. That way, you can be sure that your deck is going to look its best for a long time to come.
Indoor flooring and landscaping
Your color choices are going to depend on the landscape surrounding your patio deck. For example, if you are surrounded by lush green, you want to pick a color to complement the dominant color. You can go for a more neutral deck palette if you have a colorful space. If you directly connect your patio deck to your home, you need to consider your indoor flooring as well. You want something that is going to match with your deck.
Make sure to test it out
Before you decide to cover your entire deck, it is a good idea to test out different colors and stains. Have a small piece of the material that you are going to use or find a small portion of your deck. How opaque do you want the stain to be and are there other stains that you might prefer? That way you can be sure that you actually make the right choice for your patio deck.
