Paint expert Mauro Henrique shares his best tips for deck staining with Kevin O’Connor. He includes the most common deck wood he encounters, the staining options available, and their benefits.
Common Deck Board Types
The first step in choosing a deck stain is to understand the type of wood your deck is made from. The deck boards are commonly pressure-treated or composite (composite doesn’t require stain or paint). But other options include more luxurious mahogany or ipe, or other high-end materials. Identify yours first before choosing a stain type or color.
When to Stain and When Not to
Some wood needs stain. Some wood doesn’t. Some wood needs time.
Pressure-treated wood must be stained and protected for the best results, but can’t be stained right away. It needs 6 months before it’s ready. Mahogany is hard, rot-resistant, and beautiful on its own, so stain isn’t necessary. Ipe is also heavy and dense and does not need to be stained.
Paint vs Stain
When it comes to outdoor surfaces, you’ll have a choice between paint or stain. When those surfaces are underfoot, it’s best to avoid paint. Paint only acts as a film over top of the wood, eventually scratching or peeling. Stain is a better option, as it penetrates the wood and protects from within. It’s far less affected by water, scratching, and foot traffic.
Finish Type
There are several finish choices to choose from. The first is a transparent stain which is essentially a clear coat. It enhances the natural color of the wood and helps the grain pop without adding color. Semi-transparent adds a bit of color while also helping the grain pop. Solid stain (which is not paint) hides the grain and adds color. Transparent and semi-transparent are ideal for higher-end woods while solid stain is ideal for pressure-treated. But with semi-transparent or solid, you can choose your color.
Protection Levels
Transparent stain does add some degree of protection but will need to be refinished every year or two. Semi-transparent offers more protection, but solid stain offers the most protection, lasting three to four years.
- Transparent clear color enhances color and grain
- Semi-transparent 25% pigment 75% grain
- Solid stain (not paint)