Keeping a wood deck in good shape takes a lot of work. Even if you stain or seal it, the boards can still crack and splinter, making the deck look old and worn.

Switching over to composite decking is one option, though the cost may be prohibitive. But there’s another, far more affordable solution: Restoring your existing deck by applying a deck paint restoration product.

Deck paint restoration coatings are thick enough to fill all cracks, knotholes and splinters. Best of all, they provide a new textured surface that can last as long as 13 years without additional applications. You can do the prep work in one day, then apply the restore paint product over a two-day period the following weekend.

You’ll need a pressure washer (rent it if you don’t own one), a jug of deck cleaner, a special roller, masking materials and a roller extension. Here’s how to buy the best deck paint product, prepare the surface and apply it.

What is a deck restoration coating?

A product made from a long-lasting tintable acrylic base material with UV inhibitors and added solids (aluminum oxide or sand). The solids provide texture and hold the product together, like aggregate in concrete.

Some brands allow the wood to breathe yet repel water, while others form an impermeable barrier. Some work on vertical surfaces as well as the decking surface. The coverage ranges from 20 square feet to as much as 75 square feet per gallon.

All brands require rigorous surface preparation and application methods to revive the deck. The procedures vary by manufacturer; read the product label.

Choose the color carefully, because deck restoration coatings absorb a lot of heat and retain it longer than plain wood. If you pick a dark color and your deck receives direct sunlight, it may be too hot to walk on with bare feet.