Should You Use Paint Or Stain For Your Home’s Exterior?

A few options are available to homeowners about what medium to use to decorate the home’s exterior.

When it comes to wooden surfaces, paint and stains are popular, and there are good reasons why they are preferred. Both have advantages, and if you need the correct information, you can find them here to help you make a decision on which to use for your property.

Benefits Of Stains

1. Shields Against The Elements

Water and sunlight can damage wood, and that’s because of how they react to it. Wood becomes brittle during the cold seasons. Once the water enters the cracks of the wood, it eventually weakens the fibers, making them susceptible to breaking or rotting.

On the other hand, the sun’s harsh rays can fade the natural color of the wood. Without proper protection, these elements can wreak havoc on wood, and your project will have to stop in the middle due to so much damage.

Wood stains, like arborcoat stain, have a specific formulation that seals the cracks and crevices of wood. It will not only protect the material from harmful elemental damage but will also protect the charm and appearance of wood grain that homeowners love.

2. The Application Is Easier

There is a significant difference in the application of paint versus staining. That’s because, unlike exterior paint, you can directly apply stain on the surface of the wood. Paint requires more preparation, such as thinning, adding primer to the wood, and sometimes mixing colors to get the shade you want.

In terms of projects, stains are faster and easier to use on decks and other exterior parts of the home made of wood. A homeowner who is always pressed for time will benefit from staining because it helps to finish projects better than painting quickly. Staining is also explicitly formulated for wooden surfaces that help protect them from the pressure of foot traffic that wears out the wood over time.

3. Enhances The Appeal Of Wood

The wood grain itself has a unique design that can charm homeowners. They blend in together with specific home furnishings and also complement outdoor spaces. That’s why sometimes they would resort to staining instead of painting.

Wood stains don’t hide the natural design of wood grains. You have the option to lighten the color of the wood or to darken it, depending on what will complement the surrounding of the wooden area. Staining also penetrates the wood easier because of its consistency.

Benefits Of Paint

1. Paint Is Long-Lasting

The exterior deck can benefit from both finishes from stains and paint, but they also come with varying concerns. Exposure to weather from heat or dampness contributes to the fading or peeling of mediums. While both have their limits, paint still comes out as the more durable of the two when it comes to improving the look and protecting the deck. Unlike staining, paint can last up to 10 years, so it doesn’t need constant reapplication.

There are different types of paints that you can use on your wooden deck. If you need one that doesn’t fade from daily exposure to the sun’s rays, go for the latex kind. Oil-based paints prevent moisture from penetrating the wood. Wood stains are darker because they have more pigment. They will last up to eight years when getting regular reapplication.

2. Protects Against Insects

Wood is porous and can serve as a hiding place or breeding ground for specific insects. Terminates can chew on wood, and they can cause devastating damage to the surface and insides of wood.

Paint makes a good covering for the wood with its thicker consistency. It is also harder to penetrate compared to stains. Inspect the wood first to see any holes and crevices where insects could enter. You can choose to cover these holes adequately first before painting to prevent future infestation.

3. More Color Options

One of the best things about painting the deck is that you don’t have limited color choices. If you have the time in the world, you could enjoy a DIY project of painting the home’s exterior because you get to choose the color you want.

The deck is an area where you will stay in certain seasons and allows you to be more creative. Painting the deck is also an opportunity that will enable you to unify the deck’s look with your home.

Conclusion

Painting and staining have their advantages, but they will rely on various factors that can determine what wooden exteriors need at the moment. The benefits of both mediums also include the one which offers more convenience to the homeowner. But both mediums provide protection to your home’s exterior. Your preference and other factors will take center stage when choosing which one to use.