Wood Stain 101: Types of Stain and Their Applications
Wood stain can be a transformative tool for your home improvement projects. Whether you are looking to freshen up woodwork in your home, beautify a tired deck for more curb appeal or create that picture-perfect kitchen with newly stained cabinets, wood stain is an excellent resource. The benefits of using wood stain aren’t just cosmetic, either. Staining natural wood actually protects it from damage caused by dry air (thanks Colorado), harsh weather, UV rays, moisture, high use and many other common challenges.
Selecting the right stain for your project is critical to ensuring you get both the aesthetic and protective benefits. However, stain technology has advanced so much that choosing stain is no longer a matter of picking your favorite color in the only formula available. Today, wood stain comes in multiple specialty formulas that are designed for very specific applications. We’re here to help you decode the basics of wood stain with a quick and easy guide designed to help you feel confident about selecting the right stain for your upcoming project.
Interior Wood Stain vs. Exterior Wood Stain
When it comes to selecting the right stain, the first step is to assess whether your stained project will be primarily indoors or outdoors. You will not want to use the wrong stain for the environment.
Interior Wood Stain: Interior formulas are designed to penetrate the wood’s surface and bring out the beauty of the wood’s natural grain. These formulas typically require an additional coating of indoor-formulated polyurethane to protect the wood and the newly added stain. Indoor stain does not have the same risk for VOCs as exterior stain. It also won’t have additives designed to enhance waterproofing, UV and durability. Now, you might be wondering if you can simply swap out an outdoor formula. After all, it takes fewer steps to apply exterior stain and it’s more durable, right? It’s not a good idea. In the next section, you’ll soon see why.
Exterior Wood Stain: Exterior wood stain is designed to withstand the elements. It’s waterproof, UV- resistant and, in some cases, even damage resistant. Exterior wood stain both penetrates the wood grain and forms a protective coating that sits on top of the surface of the wood. While these benefits are excellent for preservation and appearance, they are not so great for enclosed spaces. The additives that enhance exterior stain can be harmful to humans and pets when used indoors. Oil-based stains — which are often preferred for exterior wood — elevate these risks even more. Used outdoors and applied properly, you’ll have a deck, fence or piece of furniture that is both safe to use and safe from the elements.
Water-based Wood Stain, Oil-based Wood Stain, Gel Stain & Natural Oil Finishes
In addition to indoor and outdoor options, wood stain also comes in different formulations that can impact application, appearance and usage.
Water-based Stain
Water-based stain is a very popular option for indoor applications. It has a lower VOC than oil-based stain and is non-flammable. It’s also way easier to clean up than solvent-based formulas — you won’t be up to your elbows in mineral spirits trying to scrub away your new “tan.”
Water-based stain also penetrates deep within the wood’s surface, providing a deep, rich color without coat after coat of color. Water formulas can be applied with a rag or brush and wiped off to adjust the depth of the color. They dry much more quickly than oil-based finishes and are safe to use much faster.
Oil-based Stain
Oil-based stain is mainly used on exterior wood projects due to the various additives used to make it more durable. These substances are flammable and potentially hazardous to your health if used without proper ventilation. It is messier to apply and to clean up. It is also very, very tough, making all the potential drawbacks worth it.
Oil-based stain creates a hardy protective barrier that can withstand the power of the sun, dry air, snow and rain in a way that water-based stains simply cannot. They offer similar color vibrance and enhanced shine and luster to your wood project. Like water-based options, you can apply oil stain with a rag or brush or even a roller or sprayer. Clean-up will require solvents to remove.
Gel Stain
Gel stain is not a new product, but its popularity has jumped in recent years. Many users find it to be a happy medium between traditional stain and options like opaque paint. It is easier to apply than traditional stain, offering a more uniform coating due to thickeners that allow it to sit more evenly on the wood’s surface.
While gel stain is easier to apply, it’s not a speedier solution. It needs as much time to dry as any other stain, sometimes more when compared to water-based products. It can still be applied with a brush or cloth, but care must be taken to avoid brush marks if using the former. Unless, of course, you want a more paint-like look. One benefit to gel stains is that you are more likely to discover hard-to-find shades of white wood stain, black wood stain or even tints like blue or green.
Natural Oils
If you are interested in a natural finish for your wood, natural wood stain solutions like tung oil, linseed oil or walnut oil can be a great option. These oils penetrate the wood. Painters apply these oils in layers. Each layer bonds with the natural fibers and creates an impervious surface. It’s important to note that “natural” does not automatically mean that it’s non-toxic. The oils still emit odors and have the potential to be harmful to pets and humans.
Craftsman apply oils with a brush or cloth. Many woodworkers will massage in multiple coats to build up the protective coating, enhance the natural wood color and amp up the shine. These oils can be used indoors and outdoors, although gardeners should be cautious to check potential toxicity for any wood items that are used for growing food. These oil products are more time-consuming in application, but can be well-worth the effort in both protection and enhancement of your projects.
Extra Credit: Cement and Masonry Stain
Wood isn’t the only porous material that can benefit from a fresh new look. Specialty cement and masonry stain can transform your sidewalks and stonework. Liven up a boring concrete patio, transform an old concrete wall or create a gorgeous backdrop for your Colorado xeriscaping projects with a unique new look. These stains won’t chip or peel like paint (unless the concrete itself is damaged). Some can even add protective benefits.
Wood Stain Colors
Wood stain colors run the gamut from completely transparent colors that enhance your natural finish (popular with redwood, walnut and mahogany) to unusual colors and washes you won’t find in any lumber available. Interior wood stain colors may provide more options than exterior wood stain colors. This is simply because most manufacturers won’t be cranking out gallons of teal or purple deck colors — there’s just not a demand.
- Light wood stain colors tend to enhance wood grain or bring out the tones hidden in the wood.
- Dark wood stain colors may deepen an existing color (think darkening walnut or adding more red to mahogany). They can also help hide imperfections in the wood, when applied properly.
- Colorful wood stains offer options like teals, blues, purples and whites. It won’t be realistic, but it will still offer all the grain-boosting properties of more natural browns and reds.
- Clear stains: If you love the shade of your wood, clear stains let you keep it as close to the natural color as possible while still providing protection.
Where to Use Wood Stain
Wood stain is a good option for a variety of applications, including:
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Flooring
- Doors, trim, molding
- Planter boxes
- Fencing
- Decking
- Siding
- Exterior doors, trim
- Patio furniture
- Arbors
- And more.
Why Use Wood Stain?
Many homeowners ask why they would use wood stains instead of simply painting their wood surfaces. While it really is a personal preference, most homeowners choose stain for the following benefits:
- Enhance the natural look of wood grain/keep the unique look of natural wood
- Protect your wood surfaces without sacrificing the look and feel
- UV and waterproofing benefits
Learn More About Wood Stain
If you would like to know more about selecting the right wood stain, or you’d like to inquire about help for an upcoming staining project, give AMC Painting a call. We can give you a complimentary estimate for your project and answer any questions you may have about formulas, stain colors, professional application, drying time and more.
