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Semi-Transparent vs. Solid Stain
There are two basic sorts of exterior stains: semi-transparent and solid.
Semi-Transparent
Semi-transparent stains are what most people think of when they talk about stain. It is essentially an
oil that has some pigment mixed into it, so that it penetrates the wood, protects it, and gives it a little
bit of color as well. The grain of the wood shows through, and is sometimes emphasised by, the stain. The
background on this page simulates what a semi-transparent stain might look like.
The main advantage of a semitransparent stain is that it generally will not peel. The oil sinks into the pores
of the wood, and draws the color right into it.
The main disadvantage is that it is not unheard of to have to recoat every few years in order to restore the color.
Still, since it doesn't peel, there is little to no scraping before recoating.
There is also a slightly smaller number of colors that we are able to mix into semi-transparent stains. The colors
that are available tend to be lighter, since too much pigment tends to get in the way of the oil's penetration of the wood
fiber.
Solid
Solid stain looks very similar to paint, but with a thinner body to it. This allows the texture of the wood to come through
more easily, but it allows a myriad of colors to be mixed. It is applied just like a regular paint, and is very often mistaken
for paint once it has been applied.
Perhaps the main advantage of solid stain is that it allows the texture of the wood to come through, giving a richer look to
your project.
The main disadvantage is similar to that of paint: it can peel over time. The product is much thinner, and does not always
require the same effort when it's time to scrape and recoat. On some of the rougher sidings, this can prove to be a real factor
in choosing a product. On the other hand, siding with some character to it can benefit from a solid stain instead of paint, which
could mask some of its character.
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