Your selection of a stain should reflect both your aesthetic vision and protect your deck or fence.
After constructing our backyard fence in 2021, we understood that the next task was to select the proper stain. Our excitement about selecting a color that matched our outdoor vision was matched by our concerns about protecting our investment properly.
Our customers work to strike this same balance, so we’ve created this guide to assist you in selecting the right stain option for your wood type and maintenance objectives while achieving your preferred style.
Wood Types
Selecting the right wood for your project impacts the absorption of stain, which is why it should be your first consideration.
- Cedar and Redwood: Semi-transparent stains are ideal for showing off the natural grain of these types of wood.
- Pressure-Treated Lumber: Pressure-treated wood projects typically require a few months to dry out after installation. The time frame varies significantly in the Triangle area depending on the current climate and season. This type of deck can handle any of the stains listed below.
Opacity
The opacity of your stain will affect how much of the natural wood still shows through. The age of your deck or fence, as well as your maintenance goals, should affect your choice. Transparent and semi-transparent stains are absorbed into the wood to prevent water intrusion. Semi-solid and solid stains act like a protective shell on top of the wood. It’s important to note that once you’ve covered your deck or fence with a solid stain, it’s challenging and time-consuming to revert to a transparent or semi-transparent stain.
- Transparent: You can expect lighter protection with clear coverage. However, the appeal of this option is that it fully highlights the natural grain. Transparent stains have the shortest protection lifespan.
- Semi-Transparent: This is a popular choice for newly built fences or decks. The fresh, previously unstained surface can show off its wood texture while offering some color and more protection than a fully transparent stain.
- Semi-Solid: Since a semi-solid stain is a stronger color option, it hides more imperfections and the wood grain. This is a great choice for aging wood.
- Solid: Now we’ve moved on to full coverage stain. Solid stain is the best option for older decks and fences that have started to break down and/or require sanding and repairs. The grain does not show, but as it ages, your deck will benefit from maximum UV protection and coverage of imperfections. Solid stain fills cracks and crevices that would otherwise allow water to enter and contribute to rot.
Choose a Stain that Complements Your Surroundings
Your choice of stain can and should fit how you want your outdoor living space to look. Consider your current or future goals for your home’s exterior and landscaping. Here are some examples of how different shades may affect the vibe of your yard:
- Warm tones: (cedar, redwood) – Traditional and cozy
- Cool tones: (gray, slate) – Sleek and modern
- Neutral tones: (taupe, driftwood) – Versatile, beachy, timeless
Think Long Term: Durability and Maintenance
The stain you choose should strike a balance between the look you want and the frequency of maintenance. Most of our customers prefer enjoying a stain that shows off the wood grain for the first few years after a new build.
- Transparent and semi-transparent stains: Recoat approximately every 1-3 years.
- Semi-solid and solid stains: Last 3-5 years or more.
These time frames will vary depending on sun and rain exposure, as well as leaf accumulation. Remember to sweep your deck regularly.
Final Thoughts
If you’re unsure of the type and shade of stain you’d like for your project, we are well-equipped to help you decide. We have a great working relationship with local businesses, including a custom stain company here in Raleigh for customers who want to match a specific color. We’d be happy to share pictures of the decks we’ve stained and offer suggestions based on your needs and preferences.
If you want a quote for a project, click here for a no-strings-attached estimate or email me at evergreendecksllc@gmail.com
