Wood Stain: A Simple Guide

Published on 30 March 2023

There are many different ways to upgrade your home, but some of them can be quite costly. One cost-effective and simple way to give any room or outdoor space a fresh new look is updating wooden features using wood stain. 

A quality product can brighten up your wooden features and refresh your space, making it look totally different, with just a few hours of work. 

The Advantages of Wood Stain

There are some huge advantages to using a stainer as a way to spruce up your old furniture, flooring, or outdoor decking and fences. 

Firstly, the stain comes in a whole range of different colours, so you can pick one that suits the style you’re looking for. The stain will also help to highlight the natural woodgrain, making it more eye-catching and beautiful. 

Wood stain also helps to maintain the wood. Certain stains are equipped with ingredients that help to lessen the absorption of water. This retains the shape of the wood and prevents warping, mould development, and discolouration. 

And, one of the biggest pros for stainer use is that you can apply it yourself without any training or assistance needed. This helps to keep the project costs down. 

The Disadvantages of Wood Stain

There aren’t many disadvantages to using wood stain on your wooden features. However, depending on the stain you get, it may not provide long-term protection from the elements. If you’re staining fences, gates, or outdoor furniture, you may need to re-stain them regularly to keep out moisture and maintain their appearance. 

Once you’ve stained the wood once, you also can’t remove the colour. It’s recommended to patch-test your stain before completing the whole area. If you don’t like the colour and you’ve painted the whole lot, you’re stuck with it. 

How to Choose Wood Stain

When selecting your ideal stainer, the first thing you need to do is consider the colour. Depending on the type of wood you have, you will need to find a product that’s a little darker for it to show up and make a real impact.. 

You should also think about applying multiple coats to get the desired effect if necessary. Remember that your wood could look different in different lights and that the UV rays from the sun are likely to bleach it slightly over time. 

The best thing to do is use a little section of your wood to test out the product and see if you like the colour and if it will require two coats. 

There are also multiple types of wood stain depending on your needs:

• Oil-based wood stain

These are popular for their even finish and deep application. They last a long time too and keep a lot of moisture out of the wood. However, they do take a long time to dry. 

• Water-based wood stain

Water-based stains are more environmentally friendly. However, they don’t penetrate the wood quite as well, so you may have to apply them more often. 

• Varnish wood stain

These stains dry harder than the others, creating a barrier against the weather. However, there’s less room for error as they dry quickly. 

• Gel wood stain

A gel stain is perfect to get a smooth finish. They aren’t prone to drips and you can take a little longer to apply them as they will still come out even. 

Need Some Consumables for Your DIY Project?

If you need help selecting the perfect wood stain for your DIY job, here at Floor Sander Hire London, we have a whole range of stains available. Our helpful team is also always on hand to answer any of your DIY questions. 

Contact London Floor Sander Hire today to select the perfect stain for your project.

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