When you’re working on an outdoor wood project, you can’t just leave it as it is. You have to add some finishing touches, and wood stain is often the go-to option. But wood stain isn’t just something you add to “complete” the project. There are actually some benefits to using wood stains for your wood projects.
1. Protects the Wood
The primary reason you should apply wood stain to a wood project is to protect the wood. Wood is prone to rotting, and thus it is essential to seal it with wood stain. Rot isn’t just something that can make your wood items ugly. It can also weaken the wood’s foundation, causing it to collapse. This is especially worrisome if you have wood decks and wood furniture.
While rot can develop in a number of ways, the most common culprit for rotting is moisture. Without a seal to protect the wood, water can easily seep into the wood and remain there. This moisture can create an environment for mould to grow. Additionally, frozen water inside the wood can also cause it to break.
The dangerous thing about the rotting process is that once it starts, you can’t stop it. So, it’s best to stain the wood immediately and regularly re-coat it with wood stains to avoid rotting.
2. Easier to Apply and Maintain
Another option for wood products is paint. However, paint isn’t as easy to apply and maintain as wood stain. For one, wood stains don’t often need a primer. So, it can take less time if you use wood stains over paint. Additionally, wood stains aren’t that high maintenance. While the level of care may vary, even wood that receives high traffic, such as wood decks and steps, requires restaining only once every few years.
3. Preserves the Wood’s Aesthetics
Aside from functionality, you also have to consider the wood’s aesthetics. Wood stains are often favoured over paint because they give a more natural look to the wood and allow the wood grain to shine through. And if variety is an issue, wood stains also come in a wide array of colours and tints. But if you really want your wood project to look completely natural, untinted and uncoloured wood stains are also available.
4. Cost-Efficient
Wood stains can be an ideal option for walking areas with high foot traffic because of their durability. With paint, it may start to flake and crack, leaving the wood exposed to the elements. You’ll have to either repaint the whole thing or replace it if the wood has started rotting. This, of course, can cost a lot of money. On the other hand, wood stains are not just cheaper, but they also last longer, so maintenance costs are minimized.
In Summary
Wood stain isn’t just a great way to improve the look of your wood projects, but it can also help protect them. They’re a great layer of protection against the outdoor elements that can weaken the wood. Plus, they’re also easy to apply and maintain, and they’re cost-efficient.
Keep your wooden decks and furniture safe with the help of BC 3D Painting. We are a painting company in Delta that can help you with your wood staining projects. We also provide residential and commercial painting services in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Get a free estimate today!