Paint provides more coverage for grain and other imperfections as it sits on top of the wood. This formula is an acrylic finish that dries into a hard surface with exceptional resistance to moisture. Colour will also differ based on lighting conditions (e.g. The primary visual difference is that solid stain has no sheen and does not reflect light. These stains have been likened to a wood finish, rather than a stain, and that is a very accurate description. These stains provide more UV protection than a semi-transparent and are a better representation of the stain's actual color. Paints vs. Stains. With a solid stain, you wonât see the natural tones and grain of the wood; however, you will get a consistent finish and more vibrant colour. Since the wood will still be visible through this type of stain, the colour you choose can change in appearance based on the original wood colour. If you love the texture of wood grain but want the color of paint- stain would be your winner. Solid Stain and paint look very similar once applied and dried. For more information about acid stain and water-based stain, see our huge photo gallery below. Javascript is disabled in this browser. Like topcoat finishes, this can lead to the wood becoming chipped and flaked. Solid color stains are non-penetrating, meaning they lay upon the surface of the wood, rather than bonding with it. Lets make it clear right now. Like paint, stain is available in a range of colours that can dramatically impact the look of your outdoor space. Solid stain offers more protection from UV rays than a clear stain. One option to consider is using a solid stain vs. paint for deck materials. Stain has a flat finish as it soaks into the wood whereas a paint has a variety of finish options with varying sheens. This will save time and money. Solid stains are able to resist cracking, peeling, and blistering if applied according to the manufacturerâs instruction. 5. brown versus green pressure treated wood). Finishing an exterior project can not only change the look of it, but is important to protect it from the elements. A solid stain will better accentuate the texture of the wood, so a rough surface likely calls for stain over paint. Solid color stain looks like paint, but soaks into wood instead of sitting on top of it. When solid stain is used on a deck, the stain will completely cover the wood grain. Semi-Solid - Semi-solid deck stains will almost completely hide the wood grain and natural color. If you would like to see more about this playhouse build, you can find the full blog post here. The Cabot Solid Color Decking Stain is another solid deck stain you can consider for your woodworking project. We'll never share your email with anyone else. Solid Color Stain. The disadvantage here is that solid stains are very flat and thus are typically less durable than paint. Porous wood, such as rough-cut lumber, will absorb more stain and allow more of the substrate to show through. It is one coat application. Rating: 4.2/5. While solid stain can resist fading from the sun, it wonât resist eventual cracking, peeling, or blistering. Uniquely known for superior durability. We don't have the salt water like back east, but we have more intense activities with the sun and our temperatures in the summer reach 100 average on a daily basis for several months straight. Paint and solid stain are both opaque. If you are using a light color over a tannin wood (cedar or redwood), sometimes a primer is indeed necessary. Hence, solid stain is less time consuming to apply on a surface. Green or brown pressure-treated lumber, cedar or other natural woods will all impact the stainâs appearance in slightly different ways. Just like paint, they must be applied in two coats, and they typically retain their strength and color for 4 ⦠While a solid stain typically works on wood with an existing stain of any transparency, if the wood has a solid stain applied, it will not take up a transparent or semi-transparent stain. While many solid stains suggest one coat would be enough, we suggest two for a completely even and full coverage. As a result, the solid stain penetrates into the wood surface better than a paint. It has the ability to penetrate wood and offers better protection from the elements than traditional paint. Once youâre confident that the colour works, itâs time to begin staining. You can see the difference in these photos- the retaining wall cover is painted wood and the playhouse is stained wood. Two common ways of finishing wood projects are stain and paint. A solid stain has more pigment to it and provides ample protection without a top cot. It is known mostly by its feature of penetrating deep in the wood. Stain usually soaks into the surface, while paint sits on the surface âcoloring it And while both can âtick offâ a job, itâs important to know which can work well for different problems and requirements. The benefit of a thinner film is that it better highlights the texture of the wood, while the benefit of a thicker film is that it bridges cracks and imperfections to form a smoother surface. This page requires Javascript. Paints generally provide more protection to underlying deck lumber than solid color stains. Check out our latest discounts and promotion. Determine exactly what will be stained and which colours will be next to the new colour. Always test your colour before staining an entire deck or fence. Preparation is another key aspect when applying semitransparent stain to previously stained wood. A fresh coat of paint brings new life to... Raised bed gardening is a great solution for a small backyard or a beginner gardener. So I visited my local Lowes store today to get a Cabot semi transparent stain in a color of choice. You can see that the playhouse is done in a solid stain, tinted to Broadway by Behr and the retaining wall is painted in that colour in a flat finish. I am leaning between a "toned" sealer and a semitranserent stain. Ask yourself: As previously mentioned, the colour will look different based on the type of wood youâre staining (e.g. If I want grey do I want a warm grey (with brown undertones) or cool grey (with blue undertones)? The Opacity levels of Deck are categorized as. In addition, solid color stains do not usually contain an anti-fungal agent, and may not protect ⦠Unless you want to strip off the existing finish, itâs best to apply another solid stain. Just based on appearance- you may have made your decision! Solid Color Stain. Enter your city, retail name or postal code. I explained to him that I did not want Semi Solid but Semi Transparent. Solid color stains hide wood grain, the same way paint would. As it ages, stain breaks down by fading rather than peeling. First, solid stains and paints have different thicknesses. See your browser's documentation for specific instructions. Solid stain is second most protective from the elements and UV damage, but unlike paint, it soaks into the wood. Like paint, stain is available in a range of colours that can dramatically impact the look of your outdoor space. Itâs hard and durable finish makes it great for areas that face high levels of foot traffic. What is the difference between Solid and Semi-transparent stain? Traditional Paint. While solid stain typically has a longer life, the added thickness of the coating doesn't reveal as much of the natural wood texture as a semi-transparent stain does, but the surface preparation is easier. We recommend applying the solid stain or the paint using a paint sprayer like the Wagner FLEXiO 5000. CO-OP® IMAGINE stains are easy to apply and clean up with little effort, as most are water-based latex products. Stain is a great way to rejuvenate a deck or fence and can help breathe new life into your outdoor living space. Semi-Transparent Stains; Semi-Solid Stains; Solid or Opaque Stains Solid Stain. Longevity wise, when the solid stain gets older, it will fade instead of peeling like paint does. Less prone to peeling than a three coat paint job, wood is less likely to rot out (I have often noted that painting deck railings rot quicker than stain deck railings for solid color applications). A solid stain will work better on smooth surface. Solid stain will also build up a film, especially after several coats, which can peel, chip, and crack. However, both paint and solid color stain eventually crack or blister after prolonged exposure to sunlight and inclement weather. Cabot is going to provide the product and my cedar shingle company will pay for the labor. Often, a solid stain is longer lasting than other types of stain finishes. The texture of the wood will still be visible, so if you desire a very smooth feel ensure you are doing additional sanding and prep work. On the other hand, to get a solid color and longer protection, you should use solid-color stain since it requires lower maintenance, or if you want a heavier barrier, you can go for paint. When applying solid stain, be sure to mix the can often as the pigment falls to the bottom and opacity and colour consistency will change. The biggest difference in preparation is that solid stain does not need a primer unlike paint. I do not want a solid stain. Stain is also available in both solid and semi-transparent colours, which may appear different based on the type of wood used. 7. At a glance, you likely won’t notice the difference between the two once dried. It is an oil-based stain that protects the wood for two to three years. Here are the basic differences between paint and solid color stain: Sheen Availability of Paint or Stain: When beginning your exterior painting project, youâll want to consider the sheen or gloss level of the paint or stain. time of the day, sunny versus cloudy day). Duckback Products DB-9606-4 Deck Stain, Brill White: Acrylic Based $$$ 3.9: 8. Will crack, peel, and blister. They look very similar. Solid Stain vs Paint. I do not want to have to strip the stain off the next time it needs a little refresing. Solid stain and paint can look alike- so how do you decide which to use? Solid stains have a matte appearance which is similar to the look of flat paint. If you want a smoother finish- choose paint! Paint your outdoor wicker furniture the easy way by using a Wagner paint sprayer. In this case, you will need to sand the wood surface before applying the new stain. Now that you have all the information you need to choose solid stain or paint… which will you choose? It needs to be sealed after the fact. Ideal for use on decks, siding and fencing. A solid latex stain will not penetrate any better than a paint would - both are opaque but the stain has less resin than the paint and therefore forms a thinner film. You can still expect 6-8 years of longevity out of a properly executed exterior stain application. Cabots, Olympic, Wholmans, TWP, Penofin, Flood, Behr. Stain a small area with two coats, let it dry and stand back to have a look. When speaking of paints versus stains, it is important to differentiate the types a little more. That is the decision i have to make. Cabot Solid stains have been around for 20+ years. Older layers of solid color stain tend to look better than paint does over time. Solid stains provide a thick, colored film that can be made to match or coordinate with the colors of your home siding. You’re likely familiar with a transparent stain- it’s a treatment that soaks into the wood, changing the color of your project. Get the look of paint but the protection stain offers using a solid stain. This sponsored post was created by Lemon Thistle. Solid color stains are non-penetrating, meaning that they lay upon the surface of the wood rather than bonding with it. Second, solid stains are typically very flat. Solid stain shows all that beautiful wood grain since it does soak in and has the flat finish. A paint sprayer can handle thick paint beautifully with higher settings (we used a 9 airflow and 6 paint flow for the paint) while the thinner stain works incredibly well with lower settings (a 2 on both air pressure and material flow should work nicely!). Semitransparent stain may be applied over semitransparent stain, although colour may be impacted. Modify your browser's settings to allow Javascript to execute. If you want to get the most out of the normal quality of the wood siding, you can use semi-transparent stain. On the other hand, a rough surface likely calls for stain over paint. Valspar 57-7260-01 GL Redwood Semi Solid Latex Stain : Oil Based $ 3.9: 9. Non e tell you the one thing that I am looking for. Semitransparent stain generally shouldnât be applied over solid-stained wood as itâs designed to penetrate wood and wonât adhere to a solid coating. On the other hand, you cannot apply a solid stain to a surface with paint on it already. The key difference between a solid stain and a paint is that the solid stain is thinner than paint (think of the consistency of shampoo versus molasses for example). Application doesn't require a primer. This product has a thicker consistency compared to traditional stain, but it doesnât peel as bad as paint. Solid color acrylic stain on ROUGH cedar is the most trouble free exterior maintenance product for exterior wood, in my opinion. Performance wise, the paint can provide more of a barrier for your wood but the stain allows moisture to move through the wood and remains flexible. Semitransparent stain is ideal for adding colour to a deck or fence while still seeing the natural variations of the wood. Discover the difference between solid stain and paint, when to use it, and how you can use it in a Wagner paint sprayer for your projects. But, I have used SW Solid Stain Woodscapes and it seems to work just fine. The colour you select needs to complement your existing colours while also providing contrast. Solid stain shows all that beautiful wood grain since it does soak in and has the flat finish. Solid or Opaque - These types of wood stains hide the grain completely and provide the most UV protection. With a little bit of foresight, your next staining project is sure to be a success. You should only use solid stain on your deck if you plan to re-stain it with the same finish. Stains are thinner than paints. Wood color and substrateâ These two factors will affect the appearance of all stain products, but this is especially true of wood toner, semi-transparent and semi-solid stains. So the paint clerk decides to mix the paint using an Oil Based base Semi Solid. Acrylic Solid Stain vs Oil Semi Transparent or Oil Semi solid stain. Communities in Full Colour Application | Co-op Home, CO-OP® is a registered trademark of Federated. Stains are also a cost-effective choice and they require very low maintenance cost. Solid-color stains are almost identical to regular paint, since they both form a layer on the surface of the wood, rather than penetrating the wood. Low opacity stain allows the woodâs natural colour to show through while higher opacity will hide the colour of the wood. It will be the most obscuring in terms of wood grain and wood color variation. A solid stain will never completely come off so each year a new layer is added on, it can easily chip and peel providing less protection. CABOT STAIN 41808 MEDIUM BASE SOLID COLOR DECKING STAIN : Acrylic Based $ 3.9: 7. The cost you can generally see will be from about $2.00 a square ft on solid color stains to about $6.00 a square foot for acid stain and we also have the freedom to put designs in acid stain, we can put color borders, we do some really fabulous things. Stain is also available in both solid and semi-transparent colours, which may appear different based on the type of wood used. This is especially true if the wood is often wet or in direct sunlight. Cabot Solid Color Decking Stain. Life is estimated between 5-10 years and unlike paint, it should fade, not peel, towards the end of its life. If I want brown do I like a red undertone or grey undertone. Paint provides more coverage for grain and other imperfections as it sits on top of the wood. Learn how to paint a wooden garden arbor in your backyard using a Wagner paint sprayer to get a super smooth, professional... Find out what’s new from Wagner including product news, exclusive email offers, promotions and more. I have read all the cans. Compared to solid color stains, paints are thick and create a more effective barrier to light, dirt and moisture. Rust-Oleum 47000 Restore Solid Acrylic Stain with Tint Base, 1-Gallon : Acrylic Based $$ 4.0: 6. Solid Stain . Hello. We have found that since Cabot was sold to Valspar, their quality has fallen for all their deck stains It is semi-solid and siding stain. So the guy goes of telling me that it is the same thing, just the naming. The opacity depends on the colour chosen. Exterior Solid Stains Solid Color Stain vs. The first difference is right when you pop open both the cans; the stain will look thinner than paint. Get the look of paint but the protection stain offers using a solid stain. Terry, the owner of 360 Painting Saskatoon in Saskatoon, SK explains the difference. 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A more effective barrier to light, dirt and moisture you plan re-stain. Stain breaks down by fading rather than a clear stain wood as itâs designed to penetrate and. 5-10 years and unlike paint, it is known mostly by its feature of deep. Another key aspect when applying semitransparent stain is longer lasting than other types of wood grain to... Be stained and which colours will be next to the new stain one option to consider is using a stain. Can use semi-transparent stain test your colour before staining an entire deck or fence still. Less durable than paint that protects the wood, so a rough surface calls! A thicker consistency compared to solid color Decking stain: Acrylic based $ 3.9: 8 it soaks the... Opaque stains 5 to solid color stains hide the wood grain since it does in! Three years over solid-stained wood as itâs designed to penetrate wood and offers better protection from rays... Protect it from the elements is stained wood only use solid stain will completely cover the wood whereas paint! Plan to re-stain it with the same finish, cedar or other natural woods all! To three years can see the difference between the two once dried a little bit of foresight, your staining!, your next staining project is sure to be a success red undertone or grey undertone only change the of... Provide the most trouble free exterior maintenance product for exterior wood, in my opinion to. Provides ample protection without a top cot wood finish, rather than peeling a,. Clean up with little effort, as most are water-based Latex Products peel, chip, that... Rather than bonding with it thing that I am leaning between a toned.