Solid vs. Semi-Transparent Stains: What’s the Best Option for Your Home?
In this blog, you’ll learn some of the differences between using a solid stain vs semi-transparent stain on your home’s fence or deck, which will help you determine which option is best for your deck or fence staining project.
Outdoor decks are often a cherished space by homeowners. Fences can add a sense of beauty, serenity and safety to a home and your deck may be your go-to place to relax and regroup on those long summer evenings. But when these exterior surfaces are exposed day in and day out to the shifting Calgary weather, they can quickly look worse from wear. And while you already know that you should be protecting your deck from inclement weather with a new coat of deck stain every three to five years, you may not know which choice is best for your home.
Solid and Semi-Transparent Stains, What’s the Difference?
There are many types of colours and opacities when dealing with deck stains. The main difference between these two types of stains is that a solid stain completely conceals the woodgrain, while transparent and semi-transparent stains allow the grain to show through.
So the question is, how do you know what type of stain is right for your deck or fence? For newer wood, go with transparent or semi-transparent stains — this way some grain still shows through. Solid stains are the better choice for decks that have seen their share of cookouts. You'll still see some grain, but you'll hide more of the wear and tear your deck has endured.
I have included a summary of what is unique about each type of stain, a few benefits to applying the two different stains, and some things to consider before you make your decision on which type of stain is right for your deck or fence.
Preparing to spray apply semi-transparent stain to a dry, clean deck surface.
Semi-Transparent Stains
A layer is formed when a semi-transparent stain is applied to your deck or fence surface. With semi-transparent stains, the pigment colour varies base on the type of wood used. The colour of the stain is only a general idea because the wood’s natural colour will affect the overall look of the deck stain. It is very easy to maintain semi-transparent stains on your deck as dirt and debris can be cleaned with a deck cleaner. When re-coating a deck stained with semi-transparent material, there is no need for sanding or stripping.
Benefits of Semi-Transparent Stains
Protects the wood from weather damage. Semi-transparent, semi-opaque and sealers can all help protect wood from sun and seasonal weather changes.
Resists Moisture. Re-finishing your deck with any stain or sealant product will help prevent moisture from penetrating the surface of the wood and resist rot and fungus that may build up over time if a deck or fence remains untreated.
A Natural Look. Transparent stain helps your deck or fence maintain its natural colouring and allow for the natural wood grain to show through.
Things to Consider about Semi-Transparent Stains
Limited Colour Selection. Transparent deck stains are more limited in the number of different shades available but come in a wide variety of tints and hues, some of the most common being natural wood colours, redwoods, and darker browns. Check out the DULUX semi-transparent stain palette for your options!
Can’t be applied over painted surfaces. Many of our clients long to see the natural wood grain of their deck or fence, but we are upfront about the fact that fully removing paint or solid stain from a fence or specifically deck surface, is nearly impossible even with the recommended products available to chemically strip the stain off the surface.
Doesn’t hide cracks or imperfections. If you need to hide some bigger imperfections on your wood deck, the stain won’t be able to do the job. In fact, it will enhance large chips and cracks instead. If you want to stain your deck, we recommend fixing wood damage using a professional wood repair services company before staining.
Solid Stains.
Solid deck stains cover the wood grain and texture with an opaque layer of colour. Solid stains are different from deck paint, too. While, latex and acrylic paints encapsulate the surface of the wood, solid deck stains penetrate the wood, creating a stronger bond. This is why deck paint is more likely to peel off, while the best solid deck stains stay put.
An important note: If the decking isn’t structurally sound, no amount of stain or paint will solve the problem. This would require replacing the decking boards—and possibly the deck’s framing—before applying a finish.
BENEFITS OF SOLID STAIN
Wide variety of stain colour options. One of the many advantages of solid stain is that it gives homeowners a plethora of colour options to choose from. This can be helpful if you want your deck to pop with colour, or simply desire to give your deck a more contemporary look. Solid stain can also cover up previous colours which can be an attractive benefit for many homeowners. Check out the DULUX Solid Stain palette for your options!
Can sometimes be applied over paint or other solid stains. Solid stain can be applied to a deck that has been painted if the surface of the deck has been sanded thoroughly.
Resists Moisture. Re-finishing your deck with any stain or sealant product will help prevent moisture from penetrating the surface of the wood and resist rot and fungus that may build up over time if a deck or fence remains untreated.
Can be easy to clean. Decks with solid stains can be easy to clean. The more slick surface of solid stain allows you to easily sweep away dirt and debris.
Things to Consider about Solid Deck and Fence Stains
Once you use a solid stain, it’s nearly impossible to go back to a transparent stain. After applying solid stain to your deck, it will be nearly impossible to go back to the natural appearance of a transparent stain. Be very sure of your choice to move in the direction of the solid stain as very few companies offer a chemical stripping and sanding process that will successfully allow for a transparent stain to be applied over an existing solid stain deck.
Hides natural grains of the wood. Often, the beauty of decks is in the natural wood characteristics. When a solid stain is used on a deck, the stain will completely cover the wood grain.
More susceptible to cracking, peeling, and blistering. While solid stain can resist fading from the sun, it won’t resist eventual cracking, peeling, or blistering. This is especially true if the wood is often wet or in direct sunlight. No matter how good the solid stain or the painter, the solid stain will eventually peel and need recoating. Staining your deck or fence is not forever and requires the proper level of maintenance and care to leave it protected and looking great.
As you can see, there are advantages and benefits to using solid or semi-transparent stains on your deck or fence surface. Here’s a summary:
Use Semi-Transparent Stain on your Deck or Fence IF:
It was recently built new and left to dry thoroughly.
Had been previously treated and protected with a transparent or semi-transparent stain product.
Use Solid Stain on your Fence or Deck IF:
A solid stain or exterior paint has been used to coat the surface.
The wood is older and lost most of its original colour from extreme weathering or deterioration of the colour.
Fitz Painting is passionate about helping homeowners find the right products to use on their exterior painting and staining projects.
To book an estimate, or get more information about your exterior deck or fence please reach out and contact us here: