Staining is one of the most popular treatment options for wooden structures, especially those that will be regularly exposed to the elements, such as fences and outdoor furniture. This is because the method does more than just add color to the structure — it also protects the wood and improves some of its qualities.
These are some of the reasons you should consider staining your wood projects:
#1. Aesthetics
Wood grain gives each piece of timber a unique combination of organic lines and whorls that help make any wooden project look attractive and timeless. Painting covers up this feature, which is good only if you want a wooden structure with a uniformly colored surface.
But if you want wood’s natural beauty to stand out, staining lets you do just that. Wood stains come in a wide variety of shades, tints, and colors, all of which give wooden surfaces just the right wash of hue without covering up their grain. Some stains even darken the lines in wood to make them pop out better. If you would rather showcase the innate colors of your material, you can opt for untinted and uncolored stains, instead.
#2. Longevity
Wood is an eco-friendly building material, not just because it’s naturally renewable but also because it’s biodegradable. It’s prone to rotting, which, although natural, is not something you’d want for your wood project. Not only is rotting wood unattractive and structurally weak, but common culprits behind the process, such as mold and mildew, can cause allergies and other health issues.
Pests are another issue you have to deal with when you’re working with wood. Termites, the most well-known of them, cause about $5 billion worth of damage every year in the United States alone. Like molds, termites accelerates the deterioration of wood.
It’s difficult to stop the progress of rot, so it’s best to prevent it from starting in the first place. Stain your wood project as soon as you can and apply regular re-coats to help prevent the onset of rot. The chemical ingredients in stains will also help repel insects and pests from your wood project.
#3. Protection
Exposure to the elements can ruin wood. Water, for instance, seeps into wood and supports the growth of mold and mildew. Taking in water and being exposed to very low temperatures can also cause wood to break down and weaken. Sunlight, on the other hand, can cause discoloration, which you’d want to avoid if you value your project’s natural appearance.
Staining seals off the pores in wood, preventing it from taking water. Besides adding color, the treatment also adds a layer of protection from the sun’s UV rays, minimizing or preventing discoloration.
#4. Simplicity
Paint is an excellent coating for most surfaces, but preparing, applying, and maintaining it takes plenty of time and effort. Not only will you need to use a primer, but you will also need to repeat the process every so often to ensure that your project looks attractive and is well protected from harsh wear and tear.
Wood staining is a much simpler process that does not require the use of primers and similar products. It offers almost the same benefits as paint and, although you may need to recoat your project after some time, doing so won’t take as much time as repainting.
#5. Cost savings
In structures and projects that endure constant foot traffic and heavy impacts, such as decks and floors, paint can easily crack and peel away, making regular recoats necessary. Over time, constant reapplications will prove to be costly.
Wood stains are much cheaper than paint to begin with. It can take impact better, too, and you don’t have to be a professional to apply it properly. Even though it needs to be reapplied eventually, it is still a much more cost-effective solution than paint is for high-traffic areas or projects that are constantly exposed to the elements.
Choosing the right coat for your project, whether it’s made from wood, concrete, metal, or any other material, isn’t always easy. At Mobile Paints, we can help you enhance your project’s visual appeal and augment its protection from the elements by formulating custom coatings tailored after your needs and desired results. Contact us today!