Reasons to Professionally Stain Your Home’s Wood Exterior Features

San Francisco homeowners love embracing the natural wood look for exterior elements of the home. For many people, those wood elements are what make their house feel like a home. Wood will do a great job of providing charm and beauty to a home’s exterior so long as it gets the continued maintenance and care it needs to thrive.

Stain will keep the luster of the wood alive and vibrant while also acting as a protective layer. And if you don’t mind moving away from the natural wood, solid-color stains look similar to a layer of paint. The staining and painting professionals at CertaPro Painters® of San Francisco have helped many homeowners keep their siding, decks, and fences weather-resistant and visually appealing. It’s a project best left to the professionals so you don’t have to become an expert on preparing, power washing, and sanding the surface ahead of staining.

Reclaim Your Outdoor Living Space

Your deck is a major extension of your home’s living space. If you’re not already using it as one, it’s time to start! It’s where you will spend your warm-weather evenings hosting friends, family, and neighbors. It’s also the place you’ll want to retreat to for some personal time––a place to enjoy a quiet morning cup of coffee before a hectic day, or a glass of wine after you’ve conquered your day. You’ll want to ensure that your wooden deck lasts as long as possible and is able to weather summer storms, as well as any other seasonal elements.

The best way to protect your deck is to have it stained on a regular basis––the same can be said for your wood fence or siding. If you’re having your deck cleaned, don’t forget about those other wooden touchpoints. You don’t want to be sitting on your newly stained deck looking out at wooden eyesores. Stains can emphasize a fence’s unique design and wood grain.

If you choose a stain that complements the wood’s natural appearance, your wood siding, decks, and fences can provide a neutral color palette around which you can build an exterior design. You can keep your design neutral with clean white decor that will play well with existing greenery in your yard. On the other hand, you can pull in a bright color palette with your deck umbrella, rug, outdoor cushions, and flower pots, if that’s more your style, without fear of clashing with the wood.

Your Options For the Best Exterior Wood Staining

Staining your home’s exterior surfaces may seem like a simple process, but there can be just as many options as when you’re going through a painting project. Both paint and stain create a layer of protection for your home, and they are both available in a vast amount of color options. Going with a stain doesn’t mean you’re off the hook in the color selection process, but don’t worry. Color consultants at CertaPro Painters® can help with exterior wood stain color selection and explain how the different types will look.

The most widely used stain type for exterior projects is an oil-based stain. Oil penetrates the wood creating a layer of protection while still allowing the wood grain texture to show through. It’s not just coating the surface. These stains are considered the more durable choice. Oil-based semi-transparent stains are popular because they don’t blister or peel as frequently since they are not easily penetrated by the elements. (Remember, oil and water don’t mix!)

Water-based stains (also known as acrylic stains) are known to maintain color longer, are not as flammable, dry relatively quickly, and don’t emit as much odor as their oil-based counterparts. If you’re looking for an intense stain color like a black wood stain or dark brown wood stain, water-based will get you a much stronger result.

You should be having your deck refinished with the same type of stain each time. It’s easier to adhere a water-based product to a surface that has previously been stained with an oil-based product, than the other way around. A staining professional will be able to inspect the surface you want to have stained to tell which type of stain has been used in the past.

A staining professional will also take into account the type of wood, how worn it is, how much wood grain you want to see, what type of sun-exposure it will get, and the desired color when figuring out which type of stain to use on your professional staining project. Some stains form a film on the top of the wood like paint, while others leave behind just a hint of surface color.

What Has to be Done Prior to Staining Project

Dirt and gravel must first be removed before a staining project. The team at CertaPro Painters® of San Francisco can thoroughly power wash your surface and sand any areas that are raised or loose to create a smooth surface, as necessary. The final step would be to then apply your chosen stain to the surface.

The team at CertaPro Painters® of San Francisco would love to get your exterior space looking fresh and clean so you can make the most of what the areas outside of your home have to offer. The longevity and appearance of your stain will depend largely on good preparation and application, just as it does with any exterior coating. That’s why you should let the professionals handle the staining project. While they’re doing that, you can focus on planning your first outdoor soirée on your newly finished deck! (P.S. We wouldn’t be mad if you invited us. We’ll bring a cheese plate.)

The team at CertaPro Painters® of San Francisco would be happy to execute a professional staining project for your home to keep it looking polished and protected years to come. Call 415-661-8400  or schedule a free estimate online to get started!