Deck and Porch Staining · Aug 2020
Deck and pergola painted gray
Deck and pergola painted gray. These are before and after photos from the job, taken Aug 2020. This deck and porch staining project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
Faded Red-Brown Deck and Pergola Painted Light Gray
This backyard deck sits off a sliding door on a home with light vinyl siding. In the before photo, the deck floor, steps, railings, posts and pergola all wore a red-brown stain that had faded unevenly. The top slats of the pergola showed bare, weathered wood and peeling areas, and the deck boards looked worn where people walk. The dark color also clashed with the pale siding. In the after photos, every part of the deck and pergola is a light warm gray. The pergola beams and slats, the rail tops and balusters, the posts, the floor boards and the two steps all match. The new color sits close to the siding, so the deck looks like part of the house. Paint cans and a drop cloth sit on the stepping stones below. A final photo shows the tall back wall of a home with tan siding and crisp white window trim.
How We Refinished This Deck and Pergola in One Color
- We washed the deck, railings and pergola to remove dirt, mildew and loose, faded stain. The wood then needed time to dry fully before any coating went on.
- Peeling and flaking areas, especially on the pergola top slats, were scraped and sanded. Bare wood spots got primed so the gray would look even.
- We covered the siding, door, lights and nearby plants. Paint can drift when working overhead on a pergola, so the protection reached well past the deck.
- The pergola went first, working top down so drips would land on surfaces not yet painted. Every beam, slat and rafter tail was brushed by hand.
- Next came the posts, railings and balusters. We brushed each baluster on all four sides to keep the color even and protect the end grain.
- Last, we coated the deck boards and steps, working along the length of the boards. The deck stayed off limits while it dried and cured.
Paint Colors Similar to This Light Gray Deck
Planning a light gray deck and pergola like this one? These are close colors to consider, not the exact product or shade on this deck.
Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray SW 7029
A warm light gray close to this deck and pergola. It blends well with pale vinyl siding so the structure looks built in.
Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray SW 7015
A slightly cooler light gray for railings and pergola beams. It would suit homes with white or gray siding and dark shutters.
Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige SW 7036
A soft beige for homes with tan siding like the one shown here. It keeps a deck in the same warm family as the house.
Questions About Painting a Deck and Pergola
Can you paint over an old stained deck?
Yes, if the old stain is clean and sound. We wash the wood, scrape and sand loose areas, and prime bare spots. Paint gives solid, even color and can cover a faded or blotchy stain. It does need upkeep over time, mostly on the floor boards where traffic is heaviest.
Should the pergola and deck be the same color?
One color makes the whole structure look clean and simple, as on this deck. Some homeowners prefer a darker floor to hide dirt and a lighter pergola and railing. Both work. Matching the color to the siding or trim helps the deck look like part of the house.
How often does a painted deck need to be redone?
It depends on sun, shade, water and foot traffic. Railings and pergolas often last longer than floor boards, which wear faster. Many decks need a touch-up or recoat every few years. Keeping the deck clean and fixing small peeling spots early helps the finish last longer.
Get a Free Estimate for a Project Like This
We’re not just a painting company. We’re your personal painter.