A beautiful deck is a great way to beautify your backyard while providing a space for you to enjoy the summer with family and friends. Fast forward about a decade and you’ll notice that mother nature and father time are taking their toll on your beautiful outdoor space.
Thankfully, deck resurfacers allow you to recapture the beauty and function of your deck quickly and easily. But, with so many options on the market, how can you be sure youre selecting the best deck resurfacer?
Today, well take a closer look at some of the best options on the market, and provide you with all the tips and info you need to select the perfect resurfacer for your deck. If your looking to paint here is our review on the best deck paint to revive your deck.
The Top Five Deck Resurfacers
Let’s get right to it. Heres our short list of the five best deck resurfacer options that are currently available to you. Depending on your needs and the condition of your deck, youll find that one of these resurfacers is the perfect choice for your home.
KILZ Deck Resurfacer For Armor Decks
KILZ’s acrylic finish is slip-resistant and durable. It is one of the most popular deck resurfacing products on the market.
Over Armor can be used on decks, boat docks and porches as well as concrete surfaces such as sidewalks or patios. You can also use it on vertical surfaces such as fence posts and railings.
This finish is available in a few different popular wood shades, as well as a few neutral grey shades for concrete repair.
Over Armor has been engineered to resist mold, mildew, and algae as well as cracking, peeling, and other damage. You can choose between smooth or textured finishes so that you can find the right one for you.
Although it isn’t the most thick product on the market this one provides excellent coverage. It completely covers cracks and splinters and any burrs of any size. Each gallon will cover 75 square feet.
KILZ recommends two coats to ensure complete coverage. The surface can be re-coated in as little as six hours. After 72 hours, your beautiful new deck is fully cured and ready to enjoy. Get more inspiration and ideas from our creative deck designs.
What We Like
- Impressive coverage
- Available in smooth or textured finishes
- Affordable
What could be better?
- Only available in a few colors
- Not ideal for severely weathered surfaces
Restore Rust-Oleum Decks
Rust-Oleum Deck+Concrete Repair 10X is one of the most affordable and popular options available on the market. It’s a smart choice for decks with moderately weathered conditions.
This finish is ten-fold thicker than standard paint. It can easily cover most small and medium-sized imperfections, up to the size of standard paint.
Unfortunately, this finish doesnt provide nearly the same coverage, so you can expect to spend a bit more money on this finish than you would with some other option. Rust-Oleum recommends two coats to complete a job, and each gallon completes approximately 25-40 square feet.
One benefit of this finish is it cures quickly. The finish is ready for foot traffic 24 hours after the second coat has been laid down, and you can add any furniture and decor within 48 hours.
The finish is weatherproof and resistant against mold and algae. You can be confident that it will last for many years and require very little maintenance.
Available in an impressive array of 60 different colors, youll easily be able to find a shade that perfectly suits the look of your deck and home.
What We Like
- Available in a wide array of colors
- Impressive weather and stain resistance
KILZ Interior/Exterior Enamel Porch & Patio Latex Floor Paint, Low-Lustre, Slate Gray, 5 Liters
Anvil Deck-A-New provides impressive coverage and is a solid choice to completely revitalize your deck.
Deck-A-New is similar to the other models weve covered thus far in the sense that it can completely cover cracks, splinters, and imperfections in your deck up to in size. It provides a much better coverage than many of its competitors.
One gallon of Deck-A-New covers 60-80 square feet, which is considerably more than youll get from a gallon of Rust-Oleum Deck+Concrete Restore.
This option is only available in a handful of popular colors. However, it does not offer nearly as many options as other products like the Rust-Oleum Refinisher.
Deck-A-New is extremely weather resistant and can stand up to most anything mother nature can throw at it. But, it doesnt provide the same level of mold, mildew, and algae resistance that some other brands do, which may be a major concern if you live in a particularly humid and damp environment.
Anvil makes a Deck-A-New sealant that is more resistant to weather and mold, mildew, or algae. This sealant product is particularly useful for severely weathered decks that appear to be on their last legs.
What could be better?
- Available in limited colors
Rust-Oleum ROCKSOLID Deck Restorer 20X
Rust-Oleum ROCKSOLID is a great product if you have a badly weathered deck in dire need of restoration.
The product can be used in the same way as RustOleums Deck+Concrete Restorer and is available in the same amazing range of colors. Its also one of the fastest solutions available. Its dry to the touch within 4-6 hours, and its ready for use within 24. But, compared to the Rust-Oleum finish above, its twice as thick, which means its 20 times thicker than standard paint.
This extra thickness provides impressive coverage for severely damaged and weathered decks, and it provides arguably the most weatherproof and longest lasting finish for your deck.
ROCKSOLID also provides impressive mold, mildew, and algae resistance, making it ideal for use in wet and humid climates.
This product does require you to use Rustoleums special applicator roller, but one single roller is all youll need for up to eight gallons of resurfacer.
What We Like
- Ideal for severely weathered surfaces
- Available in a wide array of available colors
- Impressive weather and stain resistance
Flood/PPG Pro Series Deck Resurfacer
Flood has been in business since 1841, and theyre one of the preeminent wood finish specialists in the world. They partnered with PPG for their Pro Series deck resurfacer, and its one of the most compelling options on the market.
This finish can be tinted to an incredible 120 different finish colors, which is double the amount of finish options available from Rust-Oleum, and ten times the amount of many other competitors. This resurfacer is a great option if you are very particular about the finish.
It also provides impressive coverage, at about 75 square feet per gallon, which makes it one of the more economical options on the market.
This finish is textured and non-slip, and it offers incredibly easy cleanup with just soap in water, or better yet, a power washer. Its also mildew, mold, and algae resistant and weather resistant, so it stands up to the test of time about as well as any other product on the market.
Although it dries quickly, it can take longer to heal so you may want to wait 48 to 72 hours before you start adding furniture or walking on the deck.
What We Like
- Available in an incredible array of colors
- Amazing coverage
- Affordable
- Algae, mildew and mold resistance
What could be better?
- Takes a long time to cure
Deck Resurfacer Buying Guide
Whether you choose one of the options from our list above or decide to strike out on your own in search of the perfect option, there are some things youll need to consider before deciding on the best deck resurfacer for you.
What Is A Deck Resurfacer?
Deck resurfacers are a finish designed to prolong the useful life of a deck. These resurfacers are similar to deck paint or stain in that they can be applied with a paintbrush, roller or paintbrush. However, the similarities end there.
Deck resurfacers are extremely thick, industrial coatings. They are usually 5-10x thicker than paint and many times thicker that a stain.
While paint and stain are great for enhancing the wood’s natural beauty, deck resurfacers can be applied to decks that have been exposed to the elements and need to last a long time.
Deck resurfacers are thick enough to fill cracks, burrs and nail holes in wood. This uniform look can help extend the life expectancy of old decks.
Pros Of Deck Resurfacers
A deck resurfacer has one major advantage. A deck resurfacer can extend the life of your deck for many years, so you can continue to enjoy a beautiful and functional outdoor space.
As decks get older, nature takes its toll. Your deck can crack, chip, or warp, and nails are exposed. Before you know it, your beautiful deck will be an eyesore and a potential danger.
Deck resurfacing is the solution. Deck resurfacers can be thicker than paints and stains and can cover any imperfections your deck may have developed over time.
These are also easy to use and can be done in a matter of days. However, stain or paint will not be able address the root issues of your deck.
Deck resurfacers are also almost entirely maintenance free, available in a myriad of different colors made to suit your style, and theyre extremely resistant to fading from the sun. Many resurfacers are able to do double duty and can work on both wood and concrete, as well as other substrates.
Cons Of Deck Resurfacers
Deck resurfacers have their pros and cons.
For one, deck resurfacers are usually looked at as the last straw of deck maintenance. Once youve applied a deck resurfacer, removing it and refinishing the deck again will be virtually impossible.
Deck resurfacers are also great at holding in heat, so it can be uncomfortable to walk on the deck without shoes.
Deck resurfacers are also more expensive than paint and stain on a per-foot basis. However, resurfacing your deck will cost you much less than replacing it completely.
Finally, proper preparation is extremely important when applying a deck resurfacer. You could end up with peeling that can severely affect the integrity of your deck.
What To Look For When Selecting A Deck Resurfacer
You may be thinking that a deck resurfacer sounds good to you. We will now discuss the characteristics and features you should look out for in order to make the right choice for your deck.
Thickness
The thickness of your resurfacer is an important consideration. How thick the finish should be will depend on how damaged your deck is. For severely worn and weathered decks that are rife with large cracks and imperfections, an extremely thick coating will work best.
Meanwhile, if your deck is less worn and features smaller cracks and imperfections, a thinner finish will be best for your needs.
Insurance
Another thing to consider is the amount of coverage you get out of each can of resurfacer. Thinner finishes will provide additional coverage compared to a thicker finish. It is important to know how many cans each one will cover so you can accurately estimate the job’s cost.
Finish
There are both smooth and textured deck resurfacers. A textured finish is usually preferred for severely worn decks, as the texture helps to further mask the worn wood underneath. If you have children, a textured finish may be an option.
Weather and stain resistance
Although deck resurfacers are generally weather-resistant, they can be susceptible to mold, mildew and algae due to their thicker finishes.
Some brands have developed finishes that resist these types of problems. They can also reduce the need for cleaning and maintenance.
Additional Information
When it comes to deck resurfacers, the process isnt as simple as just dumping on the finish. Deck resurfacers will require that you prepare the deck using special cleaners and primers, before applying the finish. Some brands even require you use a special roller or brush to apply the finish.
Keep in mind that prep work is the key to a beautifully refinished deck that will stand the test of time, so dont underestimate the importance of this step. You may also want to avoid brands that require you to buy expensive products to prepare your deck for refinishing.
Color
One major plus of deck resurfacers is that theyre available in plenty of different colors, so you can select a shade that works beautifully with the exterior of your home. Meanwhile, some manufacturers only make a handful of different colors, which greatly limits your selection.
If the color of the finish is important to you, be sure to select a brand that offers plenty of different options so you can easily match your refinished deck to your homes exterior.
Final Verdict
Deck resurfacers are a great way to extend the life and beauty of your deck without spending a lot. These finishes make it possible to restore your deck’s beauty quickly and for a fraction of the cost of replacing it.
We covered five of the best choices available above, and while each resurfacer provides a long-lasting and high-quality finish, there can only be one winner.
Flood/PPGs Pro Series resurfacer is our choice for best deck resurfacer. You can choose from a variety of colors. It is weather-resistant, resistant to mold, mildew and algae and easy to clean. It also provides impressive coverage, which helps make it one of the most affordable choices, as well.
Overall, Flood/PPG provides the most impressive features at an affordable price point, so its an easy pick as our top choice.
If youre dealing with a severely weathered deck that more viscous resurfacers like Flood/PPG are no match for, wed recommend giving RustOleums ROCKSOLID 20X a try instead.
