For many people, summer time is deck time! They can’t wait to get outdoors to entertain friends or host a family get-together. Having a gorgeous deck makes an outdoor soirée even more enjoyable. So, what do you do to make your deck the best place to be this summer? Here are just a few ideas and some great stain colour ideas to make your deck look its best.
SEMI-TRANSPARENT COLOURS
Ebony
WST45
Dark Walnut
WST37
Worn Navy
WST40-9
Canadian Cedar
WST38
Gold Spun
WST11-9
Grey Fawn
WST07-9
Weathered Grey
WST31-9
Rocky Crag
WST42-9
Light Grey
WST05-9
Superior
WST39-9
Coat It to Perfection
Decks are a perennial favorite with homeowners—despite the maintenance commitments—because nothing beats the beauty of natural wood. A semi-transparent stain will allow the natural grain to show through.
On the other hand, an opaque coating will allow you see the beautiful texture of the wood. You just need to decide what you like best. In both cases, deck stains come in a variety of colours —everything from subtle greys and browns to dark greens and greys. Wood-Shield stain comes in 36 premixed solid and semi-transparent colours. Solid colour stains can also be tinted to over 1000 colours so the sky’s the limit.
SOLID COLOURS
Ebony
WSC43
Walnut
WSC50
Pacific
WSC76-9
Canadian Cedar
WSC77
Butternut
WSC46-9
Clay Stone
WSC60-9
Beach Wood
WSC58-0
Navajo White
WSC52-0
Acorn Cap
WSC53-0
Seashell Silver
WSC39-0
Create an Eye-Catching Colour Scheme
Outdoor projects really come alive when an eye-catching colour scheme is used. Dark colours such as Ebony, the
Exterior Colour of the Year have become quite popular in recent years. Pair it with Canadian Cedar for a look your
neighbours will envy.
Ebony Semi-Transparent Ebony Solid Stain
WST45 WSC43
Canadian Cedar Canadian Cedar
WST38 WSC77
Ebony
WST45
Seashell Silver
WSC39-0
Mixing transparencies can add visual interest as well. We used Semi-Transparent Ebony on the ceiling and Solid Stain in Seashell Silver on the deck.
Worn Navy
WST40-9
Canadian Cedar
WST38
Worn Navy and Canadian Cedar are subtle yet incredibly upscale at the same time. Elevate your
curb appeal with this combination.
A major decorating decision that you’ll need to consider is if you should stain your deck to blend in or contrast with the colour of your home’s siding. There’s no hard-and-fast rule on that. However, contrasting colours often work best—i.e., light siding against the dark wood of your deck. This allows your deck to stand out as a separate living space. In some cases, you may want the deck’s floor boards to contrast with the siding but have the railings and balusters be close in colour to the siding to tie the look together.
Furnish and Accessorize
Once you have the coatings and colour scheme chosen, complete your outdoor space with fashionable furnishings and accessories. Furnish your deck with outdoor chairs, chaises and sofas that provide comfort to friends and families. Tables accentuated with a colourful patio umbrella is another way to provide fashion. Among the accessories that work well on a deck are potted plants and flowers. The greenery of summer flora will likely look great in contrast to the earthy tones of your deck. Additionally, there are a variety of flowers that will add nice colour to your deck décor, including pansies, geraniums, impatiens and petunias. Last but not least, don’t forget the lighting. Overhead string lighting and lanterns add a nice finish and provides a ambience while also allowing your deck to be seen in all its glory even after the sun goes down.