It’s time to choose exterior wood stains for your wood deck or fencing, but which product is the right one for the job? There are a number of factors to consider including the appearance you’re looking for, the use scenario (what you’re staining), and how exposed to the elements it will be. This blog from HIS Paint will help make choosing the right exterior stain easier for you. 

What Are The Types of Exterior Wood Stains for Wood Decks and Fencing?

Exterior wood stains are primarily categorized by the base for the stain. Exterior stains consist of three main components: pigment, vehicle, and binder. The pigment is where your color comes from, of course. The vehicle, or base, makes up the bulk of the solution. There are three main types of exterior stain bases. 

The three types of bases for exterior wood stains are:

• Water-Based
• Oil-Based
• Hybrid

Using Water-Based Exterior Stains

Customers like water-based exterior stains because they tend to be easier to apply than some other types and they are particularly environmentally friendly compared to other types of stain. Water-based stains also take less time to dry, especially when in lower temperatures, which can make it easier to finish up a job. 

The downside of water-based stains situations is that they can have trouble penetrating the wood. They must be brushed on and they can peel off if they are overapplied. Water-based products are generally best suited for fences. Water-based exterior stains are recommended for woods like cedar, redwood, and cypress, in particular. 

Water-based exterior stains:

• Are less messy to apply & easier to clean up.
• Dry more quickly than oil-based stains.
• Don’t last as long or resist weather as well as other stains.
• May peel off if overapplied. 

Oil-Based Exterior Stains for Wood Decking and Trim

Oil-based exterior wood stains have been used for many years traditionally, in part because the technology to make durable, water-based stains didn’t exist until more recently. But they are also considered to be more durable and better at resisting the elements. This makes the oil-based wood staining products well-suited for outdoor decking or wooden shingles or paneling outside your home. 

The downside of oil-based products is that they are messier to apply and clean up. Clean-up requires solvents like mineral spirits. They also take 4-5 hours to dry (compared to water-based stains that can dry in about 2 hours). Oil-based stains are generally considered to be a good choice for outdoor decking and other wooden surfaces that need good durability and weather resistance that can last 4 years or more. 

Oil-based exterior stains:

• Have a more natural appearance than water-based exterior stains.
• Are more long-lasting and weather-resistant than water-based products.
• Can be a bit messier to apply and clean up than water-based.
• May take 2-3 times as long to dry as water-based (4-5 hours vs. 2 hours). 

What Are Hybrid Exterior Stains?

Hybrid exterior stains for wood are a more modern development that attempts to offer many of the benefits of both oil and water-based stains. Chemically, they are blends of alkyd and acrylic stains. They bond well to wood and are relatively easy to apply, but also provide good weather resistance and durability. 

Hybrid stains can also do a better job of highlighting woodgrain features for a natural look when compared to water-based stains, though not as natural as oil-based perhaps. They are about as close as you can get to a “best of both worlds” compromise. 

Hybrid exterior stains:

• Bond well to wood and offer good water and weather resistance.
• Are relatively easy to apply and less messy than oil usually. 
• Are not quite as natural looking as oil and tend to be more expensive
• Take longer to dry and must be applied to dry wood. 

HIS Paint Proudly Made in Oklahoma Since 1972

Since 1972, HIS Paint has been producing high-quality exterior and interior paints, coating, and stains. As a family-owned American business, we take pride in producing the finest products in our industry. We are headquartered in Oklahoma, just as we were in 1972, but today our products are used around the world. If you have any questions about paints, stains, or coatings or would just like to know more about HIS Paint, please contact us at (405) 232-2077