We have a 8' x 16' deck on the back of the house about a foot or so off the ground. The deck is on the North side of the house and most of it is shaded by the house. (the front of the house faces south). The deck gets really slippery when it rains. I cleaned the deck the other day, but was wondering what would be the best thing to put on the deck to keep it from being an ice skating rink? I've read where you can add sand to paint, but I was hesitant about painting the deck ie....paint chipping. Any good solutions?

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), May 03, 2002

Answers

clear coat it, with sand added,, amke sure its the white sand, its a finer sand,, polyurethane works well

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), May 03, 2002.

ok Stan, you're going to have to be patient with me and slowly walk me through this because I'm going to be doing this myself :)... Will any polyurethane work or does it need to be specificily for outside? Just generally, about how much sand? Thanks!!! I've taken 2 falls on this stupid deck this spring and really screwed up my knee because of it and thought I would try and fix the deck myself. I'd go ask at Lowe's or somewhere, but most of the time you can't find anyone to help, if they even knew how!!!

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), May 03, 2002.

try an outdoor sealer or something,, alot of outdoor deck stains/paints, will have directions for mixing with sand

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), May 03, 2002.

Thanks!!!(my knee thanks you too) :)

-- Annie (mistleto6@earthlink.net), May 03, 2002.

Would a marine varnish be most durable? My dad has added sand to the paint he uses on his front steps for years and years and it really does work well to give you a touch of traction.

-- Alison in NS (aproteau@istar.ca), May 06, 2002.

We were foolish enough to "plane" ( is that the right word?) on our back deck. What a nightmare that is in the winter too. I would not do that again. I would leave it rough cut as the front porch is now. We did also stain the deck but that didn't help. Maybe next time we will try and sand method.

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), May 10, 2002.