One-fourth of newly built homes have decks, and all stain colors are gaining popularity. These decks average 300–400 square feet. Lots of wood needs sealing. Choosing the right stain color is an excellent way to preserve and beautify your patio. It’s hard to tell if your deck’s color is right. Don’t worry—we’ll help. Choose the right deck stain with the below guidelines.
How to choose a Color Stain?
- color
The simple answer is selecting a decking stain that enhances wood’s natural beauty. Deck stain protects and beautifies. Before choosing a color, stain the wood. If you need a spare plank, test the colors in an inconspicuous part of your deck. Give a shade a chance. Before choosing, let the stain dry. Something’s color can change considerably when water evaporates. Your choice may surprise you.
2. Consider Wood Shade
First, check the wood’s hue. These undertones change the appearance of the stain. Pine is greenish. Choose a complementing color or accentuate green tones to avoid dominance. Wood grain matters too. Staining timbers enhance their grain patterns. This will impact the deck and wood’s appearance. Wood quality issues too. Redwood or cedar decks may be impaired and colored. It may fail on pressure-treated wood decks. Test your paint sample on the same wood as your final product.
3. Consider the Wood and Deck Age.
If your deck is fresh, a translucent stain is OK. If you want darker and more opaque, you can switch. Your deck will age and deteriorate. This is necessary if you use your deck often. Darker decks can hide these faults. Replace rotting deck planks and supports now. Choose a color that matches your house and deck. Find a shade that complements the local vegetation.
Stain Opacity
Choose a hue and its transparency. Four different levels are available:
- Clear
To maintain the wood’s natural appearance, use a clear or “natural” stain. This is best for new, expensive wood. Depending on your self-care, one to two years.
- SemitransparentSemitransparent
Before choosing a color, remember this. Semi transparent last 2–3 years, longer than clear stains. SemitransparentSemitransparent is excellent for privacy and aesthetics. Wood texture and color will appear.
- Semi-Solid
Semi-solid is excellent if you want a richer hue yet still see the wood grain. It’s a lovely deck-aging opacity. This may be helpful for mild stains. This will assist in standardizing your deck after replacing boards.
- solid
This amount of stain will entirely obscure the wood grain. You can go right with this option, especially for older decks or decks with several flaws. A more profound shame is better at covering up blemishes. It will also be more resistant to the sun’s rays. This stain has the longest average life expectancy, at almost five years.
Is the deck already Stained?
If your deck is familiar, it’s stained. Before applying anything new, assess the current stain’s condition and attractiveness.
Consider: Solid stains cover wood’s natural appearance. Applying colored paint on stained wood yields different results than on virgin wood. New or sanded decks are semitransparentsemitransparent.
Even a faint stain will color a new one. Color theory is essential. Adding blue paint to a red one changes both stains.
Pressure wash older decks before staining. Color-test freshly cleaned deck samples to minimize surprises. This shows the product best. Deck staining estimates include this; however, it can be ordered separately.
In conclusion, you want your deck to look better after applying the stain, so make sure you pick something that complements your deck’s existing color scheme. There are several factors to consider, including the wood’s age, the deck’s design, and the type of wood used. Use a stain that brings out the wood’s natural beauty if your deck is brand new or built of high-end materials. Use a paint that camouflages wear and tear to keep your deck looking new even as it ages. It’s essential to pick a color that works with the style of your house and the landscaping around it. Make sure the paint will cure the desired hue before you use it.