Types of Exterior Stain

Semitransparent Stains

• Semitransparent stains come in a wide variety of tints that allow the appearance, grain and texture of the wood to show through while providing a smooth finish to augment the wood's innate elements. Semitransparent stains have small amounts of tint offering very little color to the wood. Apply them in thin coats. They have a moderate life expectancy--roughly 3 to 7 years depending on the condition of the wood when applied.

Solid Color Stains

• Solid color stains hide the wood's grain along with flaws and blemishes but maintain the wood's texture while providing better protection from the sun's ultraviolet rays than a semitransparent stain. Solid color stains have large amounts of pigmentation. Correct application of these stains requires several thick coats, giving the wood the appearance of being painted. The life span of solid color stains is higher than for semitransparent stain: approximately 4 to 8 years depending on the wood's condition when applied.

Water-Based Stains

• Water-based stains offer the easiest clean-up and faster drying times. At one point, water-based stains were simply that: water based. As technology has evolved, water-based stains have been combined with latex and acrylic to enhance their longevity. Water-based stains offer more flexibility, allowing for movement throughout the wood as the seasons change. Acrylic additives give the stain high resistance to cracking, blistering and peeling and give a more permeable finish.

Oil-Based Stains

• Oil-based stains usually have a foundation of linseed oil, tung oil and/or alkyd resins. Technology has also created changes in oil-based stain, making them available with acrylic additives to extend the stain's life span. Oil-based stains penetrate deeper into the wood creating a harder, more stable finish--ideal in solid color use. The clean-up for oil-based stains usually requires mineral spirits; however, some of the acrylic/oil combinations can be cleaned up with soap and water.

The Surface

• The condition of the surface is important when selecting the proper stain for the project at hand. New or weathered previously uncoated woods respond well to both water-based and oil-based stains. Woods that have been stained before also respond well to both oil- and water-based stains. Woods that have been previously painted should be stripped prior to staining and are better suited for water-based stains. Woods that have been previously sealed with pigmented or clear gloss stains do not respond well to either water- or oil-based stains.

  It is always advisable to discuss the project and the desired result with a professional when selecting a stain.