Can You Paint Pressure-Treated Wood?
Paint provides protection for pressure-treated wood
Painting pressure-treated wood has some challenges.
Using exterior latex paint is the key to success.
You need a primer coat for the best results.
Let the treated wood dry out before trying to paint it.
Can you paint pressure-treated wood for extra protection? Even though pressure-treated wood has some built-in chemical protection from moisture and UV light, it will eventually succumb to the elements. You can paint this type of wood to provide extra protection, but you must follow certain steps for the best results.
Why Pressure-Treated Wood Benefits From Paint
Ultimately, you can paint pressure-treated wood for many of the same reasons you’d paint untreated wood that will have outdoor exposure. Some of the benefits you can receive include:
Protects against insects
Avoids moisture penetration
Resists UV damage
Hides imperfections in the boards
Although treated wood has built-in chemical protection from weather and pests, paint gives it a little extra protection. To maintain the benefits, you will have to reapply the paint every few years.
Challenges With Painting Pressure-Treated Wood
The biggest challenge with painting pressure-treated wood is achieving proper adhesion. Treated wood needs time to dry out before you can add paint, or the paint won’t adhere properly. You may have to wait a few months or more after buying this material before painting it, allowing it time to dry.
Some of the other challenges with painting treated wood include:
Staining of the paint from chemicals in the wood leaching out
Some treated wood is excessively rough
You always need to use a primer first
You need a specialized primer made for treated wood
It usually needs two coats of the main paint color
You must clean the wood thoroughly before priming it
Always use exterior latex paint on pressure-treated wood. Oil-based paints do not perform as well.
Painting Pressure-Treated Wood vs. Staining
Can you stain pressure-treated wood? Or should you paint pressure-treated wood every time? You can use stain on pressure-treated wood as long as you follow certain steps.
However, stain doesn’t always give the best aesthetic results. If you dislike the greenish tint that often accompanies treated wood from the added chemicals, paint will cover it better. If the chemicals leach out of the treated wood as it ages, they are more likely to affect the aesthetic of the stain than the paint.
You must let the treated wood dry out before applying stain, just like you do with paint. With both stain and paint, you may have to apply more than one coat to achieve the desired look, although a stain might only need one coat.
If you choose to stain the wood, you’ll want to sand it to create a smooth surface. Paint can cover some of the rough spots on treated wood, reducing the need for sanding. Take precautions to avoid exposure when sanding treated wood, as the chemicals in the dust particles can be a health hazard.
Who can I get to refinish my deck with stain when I use treated wood? A local deck refinishing service can refinish the deck and reapply the stain.
You should opt for staining if you enjoy a rich, natural wooden look and are keen on saving money. While staining costs less than painting, you'll need to do it more often—every few years—and it's not as protective as a paint job. If you want a long-lasting solution and a pop of vibrant color, painting is the way to go.
Can You Paint Pressure-Treated Wood As a DIY Project?
If you feel comfortable painting your own deck or fence, you certainly can paint the treated wood as a DIY project. However, you need to be confident that you’re using the correct type of paint and that the pressure-treated wood is dry enough.
Choosing to do the work yourself can be nerve-wracking. A pressure-treated wood deck costs $8,000 on average, so you don’t want to make an error while DIY painting.
If you decide to hire a professional to do the work, a local deck painter is the best option. This expert will understand the right kinds of paint to use with pressure-treated wood and the best way to apply them for long-lasting results. They’ll also let you know whether you can paint pressure-treated wood now or whether it needs a few more weeks or months to dry.
The deck painting cost if you hire someone to paint your pressure-treated deck ranges from $500 to $2,000. The fence painting cost if you hire a pro to paint a pressure-treated fence ranges from $750 to $4,250.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should wait three to six months after you buy it to paint pressure-treated wood. It needs time to dry from the chemicals applied to it. The paint will not adhere to the treated wood as well if it’s still wet from chemicals. To test the wooden boards, drip water onto them. If the wood absorbs the water, it’s ready for painting. If the water beads up, it’s not dry enough to paint yet. You can build your deck or fence while the treated wood is still wet, but you’ll need to paint it later.
Pressure-treated wood lasts at least 10 years, but with the right care and treatment, it can last as long as 40 years. Painting the boards is one way to increase the lifespan of pressure-treated wood. The layer of paint provides extra protection for the wood against the exterior elements and insects.
Will pressure-treated wood rot? This wood could eventually suffer from rot, although it takes longer compared to untreated wood. Even though the chemicals applied to pressure-treated wood protect it, they eventually dissipate and leave the wood vulnerable. You can delay the appearance of rot in the treated wood by reducing its direct exposure to moisture and by painting it. Using fewer screws or nails in the wood—and thereby creating fewer holes in it—also delays the chances of rot forming.
