Painting the Cut Ends of Composite Decking Boards to Match

When you cut a composite deck board, you quickly discover that the interior color is different than the exterior color. That can be an issue for the cut ends of stair treads, railing caps, or even your decking surface if you’re not planning to add framing or raised fascia. Find out why this is, and how to get the best color-matched painted finish for the cut ends of your TimberTech or other composite deck boards.

What is capped composite decking?

To explain why the interior color differs from the exterior of your composite board, we need to address what capped composite decking is.

Capped composite decking boards have a core made of wood particles and plastic, wrapped in an outer layer of textured plastic. That outer layer delivers the rich color you want to see on your deck surfaces, but the core is an inconsistent color.

TimberTech capped composite decking

In a TimberTech capped composite deck board, for example, up to 100% of the core is made from recycled materials, with the entire board being up to 80% recycled content. Eco-friendly, sustainable deck materials are one reason that composite decking is such a popular choice. 

But what can you do when end cuts expose that composite core, and it just doesn’t match the rest of your new deck? 

When exposed deck ends are a different color

High-performance capped composite decking is a great choice for increased long-term value, enduring beauty, and minimal upkeep. But no one wants to see the exposed core at the end of their deck boards.

There are several ways to hide the cut ends of your composite deck boards on your decking surface. Most involve additional carpentry work, such as picture framing, adding a raised composite fascia board flush to the top of the decking, or even screwing a strip of ripped decking board to your board ends.

If you’ve decided those options aren’t for you, or you’re looking to finish off the cut ends of your steps or railing caps, then painting the cut ends is a good option for a nicely blended appearance from all angles

TimberTech End Coating applied to step and rail cap ends

Color matching your composite deck board ends

If end cuts are exposed and visible on your composite deck, railing, or stairs, you can paint them for a finished look. Painting is both inexpensive and easy, and with the right color match, those once distracting ends will fade away.

TimberTech color matching

If you have TimberTech decking, TimberTech End Coating makes color matching easy. Available in Cedar, Gray, Teak, Walnut and Black to coordinate with your deck boards, this coating spreads easily and evenly, enhancing your deck’s end cuts with a rich finish while also delivering superior durability to protect them from harsh weather and the elements. 

End coating is ideal when you’re dealing with a few exposed ends, but the extent of the application is up to you. A little goes a long way: Eight ounces covers about 250 TimberTech end cuts. 

TimberTech End Coating applied to cut decking ends

TimberTech recommends these end coating colors to coordinate with their deck boards:

• Sandy Birch decking: Cedar
• Silver Maple, Stone Ash, Ashwood, Driftwood and Sea Salt Gray decking: Gray
• Antique Leather, Pecan, Tigerwood, Dark Teak, Coconut Husk: Teak
• Brown Oak, Rustic Elm, Dark Roast, Mocha, Traditional Walnut, Dark Cocoa: Walnut
• Classic Black decking: Black

To cover TimberTech AZEK Vintage, Arbor and Harvest decking ends, you can choose from the following list of paint brands and color codes suggested by TimberTech. Find these paints at your local home improvement, hardware, or paint store. You won’t need more than one quart.

TimberTech recommends Sherwin-Williams Resilience, Behr Ultra Stain Blocking or Valspar DuraMax which offer the best adhesion to their boards.

Custom color matching

For additional colors and decking brands, you can still cover your end cuts with an assist from the paint department. Just take a piece of your deck board—at least one-inch square—to the store and ask them to match the color using an exterior paint base. One quart should be plenty. 

Painting your composite deck board ends

Painting the cut ends with your matched TimberTech End Coating or another paint is easy, just take your time and be sure to work the color into the board end:

1. Clean the end surface and make sure it is dry before painting.
2. Apply the paint with a small sponge brush, roller, or standard paintbrush.
   Follow manufacturer’s instructions for optimal temperatures for painting.
3. Apply two coats.
   Follow manufacturer’s instructions for dry times between coats.

TimberTech AZEK decking in Mahogany with painted end cuts

A coordinated finish for your deck

Every detail is important for a completed deck that looks just the way you imagined it. Covering the cut ends of your composite boards gives you the cohesive and refined perimeter you want. Whether for a handful of board ends or your entire deck project, camouflaging the exposed core with a matching paint or coating like TimberTech End Coating is a small way to make a big difference in your deck’s overall appearance—and your satisfaction with your finished project.

TIP: Color match your fasteners, too! Quickly find deck screws and plugs that will disappear into your deck boards with our DeckMatch™ color matching tool.