Deck and fence painting in Melbourne

Paint, stain or oil?

The first decision is the finish, and it depends on the surface. Paint forms a film on top of the timber. It holds its colour well on vertical surfaces such as fences, screens and pergola posts, but on a deck it eventually wears through under foot traffic and peels, and peeling paint has to be scraped back before it can be recoated. Stains and oils soak into the timber and wear away gradually, so a deck can usually be cleaned and recoated without stripping it.

What we usually recommend:

• Decks: a penetrating oil or stain on most timber decks, or a slip-resistant deck paint where you want a solid colour.
• Timber fences and screens: exterior paint or a solid-colour stain, both of which last well on vertical boards.
• Pergolas, posts and handrails: paint or stain to match the house trims or the deck.
• Colorbond and metal fences: cleaned and repainted with a primer and top coat made for prefinished steel.

Our guide to deck painting vs staining compares the two side by side.

New decks and new timber

New hardwood decking such as merbau, spotted gum and jarrah is rich in tannins and natural oils that stop a finish soaking in. Coat it too early and the finish fails, so timber coating manufacturers recommend letting it weather for several weeks or treating it with a tannin and oil remover first. Merbau tannins can also stain paving and render below the deck, so the surrounding area is protected while the timber is cleaned.

If your deck has just been built, we can tell you when it will be ready to coat and come back at the right time, rather than coating it straight away.

Recoating an older deck or fence

Most of the work on an older deck or fence is preparation. We wash off dirt, mould and grey weathered fibres, sand rough and furry boards, punch down raised nails, and check posts and bottom rails for rot where they meet the ground. A deck that has been oiled before is cleaned and recoated with a compatible product. A deck that has been painted usually stays painted, because stripping it back to bare timber is a big job.

A simple test tells you when a deck is due: sprinkle water on the boards. If it beads, the finish is still working. If it soaks straight in, it is time to clean and recoat. Our guide to how often to repaint covers the other exterior surfaces.

Fences, gates and pergolas painted before 1970 may carry lead paint, so old paint is never dry sanded or blasted off. Our guide to lead paint in older homes explains why.

Shared fences and access

A boundary fence has two sides. Your side is yours to paint or stain, but the other side belongs to your neighbour, so we only coat it with their agreement. If you are both doing your sides, it is worth agreeing on a colour first.

We need clear access along the fence line and around the deck. Pots and outdoor furniture need moving, and climbing plants growing on the fence may need trimming back before we start. Garden beds, paving and walls next to the work are covered or masked.

Weather and timing

Oils, stains and paints all need dry timber and mild weather. We avoid coating in hot direct sun, which dries the finish too quickly, and finish early enough that it is touch dry before evening dew. Keep foot traffic and furniture off a freshly coated deck for the time the product label gives, which is usually at least a day. Our article on the best time to paint outside in Melbourne explains how the seasons affect timing.

What affects the price of deck and fence painting

Deck and fence work is quoted after a free site inspection. The main factors are:

• The size of the deck and the length and height of the fence, including both sides if your neighbour agrees.
• The condition of the timber: grey, rough or peeling surfaces take more preparation.
• The finish: paint, stain or oil, and whether the colour is changing.
• Access, plants and steps, and whether pergolas or raised decks need ladders or platforms.
• Any timber repairs, such as replacing rotten boards or posts.

Our guide to exterior house painting costs in Melbourne explains how exterior work is priced, and what a painting quote should include helps you compare quotes.