Leaving your deck unfinished will cause the wood to break down from exposure to the elements. Moisture can wreak havoc with wood. Don’t allow water to warp, twist, or crack your deck’s wood. Sunlight can also take its toll on wood with time, and the combination of moisture and sunlight is even more destructible. Your deck finishing options are painting and staining. Painting a deck offers the highest level of protection for wood. Outdoor deck paint will protect your deck from sunlight and moisture. Staining your deck is another good option, offering a high-end look to show off the natural grain of the wood. Stain fills up gaps that usually soak up moisture. You’ll likely need to have your deck re-stained every three to four years, compared to repainting it every ten years or so.