If you haven’t decided yet whether to paint or stain your wood surfaces, early decisions must be made with input from both the design team and construction team. Changing this decision may affect which wood materials can be ordered; some materials simply aren’t suited for staining.
Stains are most commonly applied to wood surfaces, while paint can be applied to non-wood surfaces like drywall and synthetic fixtures. Continue reading to understand more about these two color-producing substances.
Cost
Staining wood typically costs less than painting it. Stains typically cost $25-$48 per gallon; water-based nontoxic stains tend to cost significantly less than solvent-based ones.
Paint often costs more than stains; depending on its type, exterior paint could range anywhere between $40-$75 per gallon.
Color and durability also play a factor when setting prices for paints. Oil-based paints tend to last longer, yet require additional upkeep due to cracking and peeling over time.
Semi-transparent oil stains are ideal for rough wood, as they soak into its grain and texture to protect it against weathering and sun damage while creating an aesthetic finish. Re-staining should take place every three to eight years for best results; it requires far less preparation than repainting.
Durability
Paint adds color and protection to wood surfaces, covering over imperfections such as nicks and scratches while hiding imperfections like knots in the grain. However, due to moisture exposure or changes in temperature or weather patterns, it may chip off or peel after being exposed for long enough. It may also prove challenging when it comes to working on already painted surfaces as full stripping must first take place before painting can take place again.
Stain can add an organic and neutral aesthetic to wooden features, making them look natural while remaining sophisticated. Stains tend to be semi-transparent or transparent, allowing the natural wood patterns to show through, while you can even alter its hue darker or lighter depending on what material it covers.
Staining is often less costly and quicker to apply than painting, using tools and materials such as brushes, tarps/plastics/paint trays to complete projects. Staining is also environmentally-friendly since moisture wicks through and away from materials through permeating them with moisture-wicking agents like stain.
Appearance
Stains come in an assortment of colors to customize the look of any woodworking project. Stain is a semi-translucent substance that highlights wood grain and can be applied over previously painted surfaces (after prepping). Stains typically do not require primer; most will suffice with one coat.
Apart from providing color, stains provide another function beyond simply adding hue – they protect surfaces by seeping into their material’s surface to seal against moisture penetration during expansion and contraction due to weather fluctuations. Stains also add an additional layer of protection from damage by helping prevent the material itself from expanding and contracting when temperature shifts occur.
Paint can cover imperfections in wood grain, providing projects with an aesthetic-neutral appearance. Furthermore, there is a wide range of colors and sheens available that match any aesthetic preference; however painting requires extensive sanding to achieve a smooth surface; additionally stripping old paint before applying new coats may take time and be cumbersome to implement.
Maintenance
Stains make an excellent protective coating because they penetrate the surface, keeping moisture at bay from damaging material and can also be easily reapplied since no stripping process is required for their reapplication.
Paint adheres firmly to surfaces, creating a thick coating that covers and obscures what lies underneath it. This allows for a range of color choices ranging from neutrals such as chocolate brown or forest green to eye-catching royal blue or crimson hues.
Finding the ideal finish for wood surfaces is essential to creating the design you envision for your home or office. By studying the advantages and disadvantages of painting vs staining, you can make an informed choice that will leave your place looking stunning for years to come! For assistance preparing surfaces properly before selecting colors/quality of stain/paint and carrying out projects efficiently contact our experts; they can make this task painless – can’t wait to see the end results!