Can You Paint Composite Decking?

Composite decking is designed to withstand sun, rain, snow, and anything else Mother Nature can throw at it. But if its color isn’t quite what you’re looking for, you may wonder if you can add a layer of paint or stain.

I asked a pro painter with over a decade of experience and a manufacturer of a popular composite decking brand to weigh in.

What is Composite Decking?

Composite decking is a mixture of wood fiber, plastic and a binding agent that is denser, stronger and heavier than wood. It’s low-maintenance and has a long warranty. The trade-off is that composite decks have a higher initial cost than traditional wood decking.

Can You Paint Composite Decking?

“Yes, you can,” says Nick O’Keefe of Oak City Coatings. But he adds a few caveats to this statement. Paint on composite decking typically doesn’t last very long, O’Keefe cautions. Once the paint color fades and/or begins to peel, you’ll need to put a new coat on it.

I also contacted the manufacturer behind the most widely installed composite decking in the US and asked for their recommendations. Trex spokesperson Leslie Adkins explains that while it’s possible to paint some composite decking, this varies not only by the manufacturer but also by individual product lines. For example, modern Trex decking is covered in a cap of material that shouldn’t be painted. However, Adkins says, “Early generation composite decking that doesn’t have a protective cap or shell, also known as non-capped composite, can be painted.”

Adkins also points out that while the surface of capped composite decking shouldn’t be painted, the exposed ends and undersides of the deck boards can. Some manufacturers provide special paints approved for this use, such as End Coating from TimberTech.

The Downsides of Painting Composite Decking

The primary downside of exterior painting – no matter what it is that you’re painting – is that you’ll need to paint it again in the future. In this case, that means you’ll lose one of the greatest benefits of composite decking: extremely low ongoing maintenance.

“Once a coating is put on top of the composite decking, your maintenance upkeep and re-coat clock starts,” says O’Keefe. Adkins agrees that once paint is applied to the deck boards, they’ll require traditional upkeep similar to a wood deck.

In addition, a layer of paint or stain will often violate the warranty of composite decking. (Check your manufacturer’s warranty for details.)

In fact, as a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to check with the manufacturer before doing anything to the surface of composite decking. Regarding Trex decking, Adkins says, “Considering…we’ve been making shelled products for the past 11 years, we do not recommend painting a composite deck unless you know for certain that the decking material is an uncapped, early-generation product.”

The Upside of Painting Composite Decking

A coat of paint can make a faded deck look new or add a dash of color and contrast to your home’s profile. And it can be done for a fraction of what it would cost to tear out and re-install new decking. If you’re working on a tight budget or simply want to delay a new deck purchase for a few years, paint or stain may be a good solution.

As long as you’re aware of the potential drawbacks and have researched your specific deck, it’s certainly possible to paint or stain a composite deck.

How to Paint Composite Decking

First, you’ll need to select your materials carefully. Not all deck stains and deck paints can be used on composite materials. Just like you researched the deck itself, O’Keefe recommends researching the paint or stain to be sure it will adhere to composite decking.

“You can check this typically on the backs of the cans,” he says, adding that paint or stain manufacturers typically post Product Data Sheets online. These include specs and recommendations for each product, including application procedures. Even a pro like O’Keefe re-checks the data sheets to be 100% confident before painting a composite deck.

Once you know your paint or stain is compatible with composite decking, the actual process is similar to painting a traditional deck.

1. Clean: Clean the deck with a commercial deck cleaner (or use a simple mixture of soap and water).
2. Protect: Cover nearby plants to protect them from residue from primer, paint or stains. Also, use painter’s tape to cover the house siding at the deck level.
3. Sand: Use 240-grit sandpaper to rough up the boards and improve adhesion. After sanding, wipe away the sanding dust with a tack cloth and then a damp rag. Let it dry before painting or staining.
4. Prime: To help paint stick better to the deck surface, prime the boards using a sprayer, roller or brush and an acrylic latex primer designed for exterior applications only.
5. Paint: Paint using a sprayer, roller or brush and latex paint with a semi-gloss or satin finish. If you want to stain instead, use an acrylic latex stain with mildew and UV inhibitors.

About the Experts

• Leslie Adkins is the Group Vice President of Marketing and ESG Development at Trex Company, the world’s largest manufacturer of high-performance, low-maintenance composite decking and railing, and a leading brand of outdoor living products.
• Nick O’Keefe founded Oak City Coatings after spending more than a decade working in the paint and coatings industries. He has worked with the largest manufacturer and top distributor of paint and stains in the world, serving customers in both residential and commercial markets.