The Painted Chandelier

A Creative Companion Home/Design blog to Interiors by Melanie Robinson

Behr Deckover Update-How Our Porch Looks One Year Later

by 13 Comments

Hi, Friends!

Hope you all are having a nice Summer! I wanted to post an update about our wrap around porch and experience using the Behr Deckover product last Spring and its appearance and durability a year later. Due to such an incredible interest readers have taken regarding this post I wrote last year, this project on Pinterest has become one of my most popular pins! I continue to get weekly emails and blog comments on it almost a year later.  ( A big THANK YOU for reading! 🙂 )  I think it’s because there have been a lot of mixed reviews on deck paints that give composite-like results, and finding informative posts via the Internet regarding these products was challenging up until about a year ago. When we were researching deck paints, I found maybe 3-4 reviews and they really weren’t that promising. We also relied on Consumer Reports and the paint specialists at Home Depot about the Behr Deckover product. ( For more info on our porch paint colors, click here, here, and here.  )

In last Spring’s post, I wrote about how we cleaned and prepped our 13 year old deck ( that was in desperate need of a new stain or paint job!) really well prior to application. The deck was very porous, so I’m not sure if that factored in to our success or not. There’s also the humidity and heat factors in our hot Summer months here in Atlanta, as well as our moderately mild Winters that could affect the product’s appearance and durability. 

back-porch-summer-deck-makeover-the-painted-chandelier-blog

I must preface this post by saying I was not sponsored or comped by Behr for use of this product or my statements regarding their product. All opinions and experiences are my own.

The recurring theme I keep hearing from readers is how this product has flaked or peeled on their deck surface. They are complaining that their whole decks are peeling off in sheets or that the product is flaking all over. I know that has to be so maddening and discouraging, as painting or staining a deck is alot of work! I really have no idea why this has happened to some, but not all. I know the product does have a good warranty, but still! Who wants to have to do the sanding and prep all over on a product that claims it’s supposed to last years?

Our deck has done really well over the past year though. We had a good experience and would use the Behr Deckover again! Prep is really the key to getting the surface ready prior to painting. One thing we learned as we applied it was that a little water can be added to thin it if it gets too gloppy. That helped ALOT! We used a long handled roller and a wide, flat brush to get in between the porch slats, as well. 

Here are some current pictures and I’ll comment on them as needed:

Front Porch

house-shot-front-stairs

The front porch steps are holding up nicely overall, but there are a few signs of wear along the edge. On the long back staircase that leads from the back deck, there is no sign of wear on the edge of the tread which is sort of odd because our 2 Weimaraners, as well as the family humans are constantly using that one! 

some-wear-on-stairs-behr-deckover

lady-head-planter-front-porch

closeup-copper-stand-sedum

front-door-geraniums

impatiens-loveseat-corner-of-porch

front-porch-long-shot 

Side Porch

driftwood-finish-table-side-porch

All of these areas of the porch are covered, but both the exposed and covered are holding up exactly the same in appearance. The light paint color I chose does show our Georgia red clay and where the birds have “graced” us, but it cleans easily with mild soap and water. We haven’t tried to clean with a pressure washer yet, but when we do, I will update that later.

driftwood-finish-table-side-porch

closeup-wicker-chair-side-porch

wicker-chair-side-porch

side-porch-petunias

table-on-side-porch 

Well if it isn’t Ms. Sadie Blue herself……. 😉

sadie-blue-on-side-porch

Back Deck

 

mandevillas-on-back-porch

Please excuse some of my flowers. This is even with daily water, but we have had a scorching hot Summer here in Atlanta! Our lake is down a few feet, things are looking pretty pitiful, and we need some rain!!

back-porch-behr-deckover-update

geraniums-back-porch-with-ferns

back-porch-geraniums

Here’s a shot of my new fountain I got in June at Lowe’s. The old one finally bit the dust after almost 8 years! I really like this one and it’s much easier to keep clean. 

fountain-backyard

So this was our Behr Deckover experience after one year. Obviously, it’s risky to try a product that you’ve heard such mixed reviews about, but so far, so good on our porch! I plan on updating each year showing and telling if we have had any problems, notice any changes, etc. Maybe after a couple of years on the market, Behr is troubleshooting the formula for their Deckover product. 

Please let me know if you have a good experience or a bad one, as it’s helpful to others when searching the Web for products that have and have not worked for people!

Best of luck,

Melanie+Signature+Styles

 

Comments

  1. Thank for this article..We live in the Charleston SC area. We have covered porch stained with transparent Sherwin Williams stain product.

    We just bought deckover to redo the porch. Sort of talked into it by Home Depot guy.

    I have rough sanded the porch but not stripped the prior stain. The home depot guy said I could apply it over the existng stain. …but after getting home and reviewing Behr site it says to strip existing stain…lots of work!!

    Did you strip and remove prior stian you applied deckover?

    Reply

    • Hi, Larry! Our deck was very weathered & porous prior to applying the Behr Deckover, so no, we did not have to strip the stain. We did do a thorough prep job first of pressure washing the deck floor, railing, and stairs and then let it dry well. Pressure washing removed a majority of the existing stain. I’d recommend a 72 hour window of painting and allowing it to dry completely with no rain in the forecast. I spoke with a Behr rep that said the original Deckover has been reformulated since my original post. Alot of people had peeling and flaking issues, but it seemed they lived in extreme climates. We are happy with the results 2 yrs later and it has held up well-give or take a few small worn places on the edge of a few stairs. Then again, we have large dogs! Good luck to you- hope it goes well! 🙂

      Reply

  2. It is now June, 2016. Do u still like the product? Have u had any peeling since your Aug 2015 post? I have read so many reviews slamming Deckover for massive peeling. I’m really confused; can’t understand why your experience was so different. I just replaced my deck and Deckover was recommended to me for best protection even though I have new wood. Any thoughts?

    Reply

    • Hi, Confused in Jacksonville! No, we haven’t had ANY peeling. My husband did pressure wash the exposed back porch a few months ago and because the pressure washer’s sprayer was on one of the more concentrated settings, it did knock off some of the paint. However, he just repainted that section by rolling more on top and so far, so good. But to answer your original question- no, the Behr Deckover has never chipped or peeled for us in any places. It has shown dirt in a few places, but we live in Georgia and have red clay dirt and 2 large Weimaraners. I stand by my original post and can honestly say we are very happy with the results 2 years later! We have covered areas of porch AND exposed areas and stairs and both areas are consistent in appearance! Maybe our Southern humidity and mild Winters factor in? Thanks for your comment and for reading 🙂

      Reply

      • Thank you so much for responding. Glad to know product still working so well for you!

        Reply

  3. Hi,
    I love your review of the Behr Deckover. I may try it myself. What caught my eye on Pinterest, is your adorable bench. Please share where you got it. Also, did you paint it that color?
    Thanks and Have a Blessed Day.

    Reply

    • Hi, Margo!
      The bench is ages old! haha It was an unfinished wood bench that has seen several colors and layers of paint over the years, but thank you! Maybe somebody could build one for you? Yes, the color is the same as the Adirondack chairs and the front door. It’s Mermaid Net by Behr paints. Thank you for your comment and for reading! xo
      Melanie

      Reply

  4. Hello! I am currently rebuilding my home after the May floods here in Texas and I love your exterior home colors! I would like the repilcate this look in my own home. Would you mind sharing your pain colors for the siding, shutters and the door? Thank you for sharing your beautiful home!

    Reply

    • Hi, Donna! It’s an old Rustoleum Restore color called Winchester mixed in an older Behr Deckover formula. Maybe they can still look it up for you at Home Depot Paint Center? 😉

      Reply

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