Understanding the different types of stains you can choose from & the How To!

Come stain or shine, your local Hannigan's Paint associates are always available to support your DIY journey and answer any questions you have. Stop by one of our store to find the perfect stain for you, along with all the painting supplies you’ll need to get started right away.

Deck Out Your Deck in a New Hue

Step 1: Choose the type of stain you want.

Exterior deck staining is a great way to preserve the natural texture of the wood while giving it a renewed look. You can choose to stain your deck in four finishes: transparent, semi-transparent, semi-solid, or solid.

A transparent finish saturates the natural look of the wood tone and creates a vivid feel of the colours that make up the particular wood species you are staining. Benjamin Moore Arborcoat comes in 6 ready-made colours in transparent stains.

Semi-transparent has some pigmentation to it, so you can slightly alter the colour of your wood while maintaining the look and appreciation for the natural wood grain beneath the stain.

Semi-solid stain showcases more of the pigmented colour of your choice with minimal visual influence on the natural wood tone and graining.

Solid stain looks like actual paint but with all the benefits that come with stain. If you paint your deck in a solid stain, you will not be able to see the features of the wood beneath, and it will be difficult to revert to the natural wood grain look.

Pro Tip: Solid stain is a good choice when the wood you are working with is not in the best shape or if you want to minimize the number of steps before application. If you have exterior cedar siding, a solid stain is a preferred choice.

Step 2: Choose the colour that will enhance your outdoor living.

A simple approach to choosing a colour for your deck is to take an accent colour from your home’s exterior and incorporate that into the deck. You could use that accent colour for the railings and spindles and go with a natural coloured stain for the deck flooring. Combining both the exterior palette and a natural stain can complement the beauty of the outdoors while also tying in the outdoor living areas of your home.

 You can go as bold or as neutral as you like. If you take pride in your landscaping or have elements in your yard that you prefer to highlight, staying in a wood tone colour family that is more natural will best accentuate those features. If you choose something too bold or striking for your deck, you run the risk of overshadowing your garden or immaculate yard.

If you feel your yard is lacking and want to make the deck your focal point, go big and bold on your exterior deck painting project! You can follow current trends on colour palettes because you genuinely have no limitations (the sky is the limit here). Check out the Exterior Home and Paint ideas for some inspiration on the trendy colours of the year.

Pro Tip: Darker colours heat up faster while lighter colours have better heat retention.

You can choose any colour you want in solid stains. Whites are always classic, timeless, and fresh, while dark, rich colours often give a modern, updated look and feel and enhance a home’s curb appeal. Natural-looking semi-transparent stains can be anything from rich, moody browns to contemporary greys or gold and red tones for more warmth and vibrancy. The possibilities are infinite when creating your backyard retreat.

If you want some help deciding what is best for your outdoor space, the expert color consultants are always available to assist you at Hannigan's Paint. Contact us to see how we can help revive your outdated, peeling, or weathered deck.

The Prep Work Makes the Deck Work

Your deck takes a beating daily, so prep is extremely important when staining your exterior. That’s because damage from extreme weather, UV rays, debris like dirt and leaves, and old chipped stain can complicate the absorption process if not removed and cleaned properly.

Step 1: Treat your wood.

Benjamin Moore carries a variety of treatments for the type of wood you’re working with.

New wood: Use Benjamin Moore Brighten, scrub the product into the wood (the wood can be wet), and power wash the surface. Give it 48 hours to dry, and then sand the surface before staining.

Weathered wood: UseBenjamin Moore Restore with a stiff brush to clean off the loose, dead fibres on your deck. Rinse off and scrub Benjamin Moore Brighten into the wood, followed by a power washing. Let dry for 48 hours and sand the surface before staining.

Flaking and peeling wood: Use Benjamin Moore Remove to take off the old stain. Rinse off and scrub Benjamin Moore Brighten into the wood, followed by a power washing. Let dry for 48 hours and sand the surface before staining.

Step 2: Check the forecast.

Ensure that you have a dry 48 hours ahead of you before you embark on your DIY staining project. The deck will need sufficient time for absorption and drying before rain or foot traffic starts weathering the surface again.

Step 3: Always test your colour.

Use a scrap of wood that’s the same species as your deck, or choose an inconspicuous part of your deck to test out your stain. Sometimes stain appears differently based on the type of wood you have, so you must make sure it’s the colour you want before staining the entire deck.

Step 4: Stain the wood.

Use a roller for speedy application and follow the direction of the boards to apply the stain evenly. Paint just like you would paint a wall, which means you must also back brush to ensure proper coverage.

Step 5: Let dry and enjoy.

Let the stain dry for a full 48 hours, and then get outside and enjoy your updated backyard oasis!

Staining your deck is a simple and rewarding DIY project that can reimagine a tired or outdated backyard and enhance the existing beauty of your exterior. At Hannigan's Paint, we love to see your transformations come to life. Stop into Hannigan's to get some advice, purchase your supplies or get the custom stain colour you need.

Don’t forget to share your finished product with us on social media! Just tag us using @HannigansBenjaminmoore.