Solid Charcoal Gray Deck and Porch — Hixson, TN

Raw pressure-treated railings and stairs, next to a covered porch floor painted pale gray, made this Hixson deck look like three separate projects. We pulled it together with a single solid-color stain in a deep charcoal gray across all of it.

The before-and-after pairs tell the story. The wide stair run up from the patio now has dark treads, risers, stringers and handrails. Along the porch, the slatted railing, posts and cap rails match the floor, which runs the full length of the covered area under the white ceiling and fan. Against the pale yellow siding and white window trim, the darker deck gives the back of the house a firm base. A solid stain hides the mixed tones of new and older lumber, so every board reads the same.