4 things you should know about exterior wood stain
Exterior painting season in Vancouver is just around the corner, and with summer on the way many homeowners are looking to give their outdoor spaces a fresh look. While painting is a great option for exterior siding, decks, and fences, staining allows the natural beauty of your wooden structures to shine through.
Staining can be tricky, and if not done correctly it can be challenging to correct. If you are considering staining your deck, fence, or siding this year, here are 4 things you should know before getting started.
There are two types of wood stain
When selecting a stain for your wood surface, you will have to choose between oil-based stains and water-based stains.
- Oil based stains are typically easier to apply and maintain, and penetrate deep into the wood offering more longevity for your surface. These stains work incredibly well on dense wood, and make for an easy, professional, finish. However, they contain harmful chemicals called VOCs that are toxic, smelly, and flammable.
- Water-based stains are a newer technology, and while using them requires more involved prep work, they do not contain VOCs, making them a more eco and pet friendly option. Water-based stains dry quickly, allowing you to apply thin layers as needed. They also offer more UV protection and are a great option for surfaces that receive a lot of sunlight. Finally, they effectively prevent mildew and rot, making them a great option for Vancouver decks, fences and siding that are subject to excess humidity.
Wood stains vary in their level of transparency
Depending on the stain you choose, more of the original wood will show through once the work is completed. Here are the levels of transparency that most water and oil-based stains are available in:
- Clear stain: contains little to no pigment, allowing the original colour and grain of the wood to show through while tinting it only slightly. You may not even notice the colour difference. Clear stains offer UV and mildew protection and should be reapplied annually to keep your surface protected.
- Semi-transparent stain: This popular option allows the grain of the wood to remain visible while changing the colour of the surface. It does not have to be reapplied as often as clear stain, and can usually stand up to the elements for 2-3 years.
- Semi-solid stain: This stain contains more pigment than semi-transparent stains, so only a small amount of the original wood grain will show through and the colour will be completely changed. It should be reapplied every 3-4 years.
- Solid stain: This stain offers full colour and grain coverage. Solid stains offer the most protection for your surface, and should be reapplied every 5-7 years.
Some stains require more prep work than others
While some oil-based stains require little prep work, most surfaces will require power washing and sanding before the stain is applied. At Even Better Painting, we recommend a power sander and 60-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the surface allowing the stain to penetrate the wood more effectively.
Power washing ensures that no mould, mildew, or dirt is trapped beneath the coating, making for a smoother finish and ensuring the longevity of your deck, fence, or siding.
There are some common mistakes that you can avoid when it comes to exterior wood staining
Our team of professional painters has helped clients restore previously botched stain jobs. Here are a few things to avoid in order to get a beautiful finish on your surface:
- Do not apply the stain too thick. This will result in sticky stain, uneven finishes, and visible brush marks and lines.
- Make sure to properly prep the surface. If you notice that the stain is not properly penetrating the wood, it is likely because the surface has not been sanded. If you try to stain over top of old wood stain, the new stain will not properly penetrate the wood.
If you have questions about staining your deck, fence, or the exterior of your home, give us a call at Even Better Painting! Our team of professional exterior painters can help.
