Deck & Fence Staining Tips from CertaPro Calgary
Posted on August 9, 2024
Have you ever wondered how to make the wood of your deck and fences look like they belong in a magazine? That’s where stain comes in.
Stain can be seen as a type of paint, but it is much thinner and soaks into surfaces. Unlike paint, stain can only be used on porous materials like wood. People often choose to stain their homes for aesthetic reasons, as it enhances the natural beauty of the wood. Staining is also effective in preventing those annoying cracks that can occur if you paint the wood instead of staining it.
There are different types of stain, ranging from clear to solid. Here are our recommendations for each type of stain:
Clear Stain: This type of stain is ideal for brand new materials, such as raw wood. It enhances the natural beauty and grain of the wood while providing minimal color change. Clear stains are perfect when you want to showcase the wood’s original appearance.
Toner: Toners add a slight hint of color while still allowing the natural wood grain to show through. They offer protection, making them suitable for newer wood surfaces that need a little color boost without fully covering the wood’s texture.
Semi-Transparent Stain: Semi-transparent stains provide more color than clear stains and toners while still allowing the wood grain to be visible. They are great for older wood that has started to degrade but still has some of its natural beauty. These stains offer a good balance of protection and aesthetic enhancement.
Semi-Solid Stain: Semi-solid stains have more pigment than semi-transparent stains, providing a deeper color and better protection. They partially cover the wood grain, making them suitable for surfaces that have minor imperfections.
Solid Stain: Solid stain can be used for surfaces that have been painted or stained before. If you have previously applied paint or solid stain, your only option is to use a solid stain again. It is difficult to completely remove solid stain or paint, making a clear stain ineffective in these cases.
