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From flooring to furniture, wood stains are one of the most popular methods of enhancing the appearance of wooden surfaces. While many homeowners believe that staining provides a level of protection to the wood, others think staining doesn’t adequately protect wooden surfaces.
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Will Staining Wood Protect Wood?
Staining wood offers a degree of protection, but it’s not a complete solution for protecting wood from all types of damage. You need to add a sealant, varnish or paint after staining to protect wood from water damage, rot, or insect infestations. The level of protection that staining wood provides depends on various factors.
While staining wood does provide some protection for the wood, staining is not considered a comprehensive solution for protecting the wood.
Ultimately, staining does not provide enough protection to wooden surfaces to be considered a complete protective solution. Despite this, there are great benefits to staining wood!
Staining Counteracts Discoloration
Staining is one of the best ways to prevent wooden surfaces from fading and discoloring – especially if you have wood in an area where it receives a lot of sunlight.
Due to this, staining is recommended for any outdoor wooden surfaces or wood located near your home’s windows. Stains can be applied to everything from floors to furniture to prevent discoloration!
Staining Prevents Water Damage
Water and weather conditions can damage untreated wooden surfaces. However, staining doesn’t just enhance the color of wooden surfaces; it creates a waterproof barrier that repels water, making the wood weather- and water-resistant.
The waterproof properties of wood stains actively protect wooden surfaces against the damaging effects of water.
Staining Protects Against Rot and Bugs
Wood rot and decay are caused by fungal growth in damp wood. Wood-eating fungi and bugs thrive when the wood has more than 20% moisture content. Once wood starts rotting, it’s hard to fix it. Staining wood is an easy way to protect and waterproof wooden surfaces, preventing mold, mildew, termites, carpenter ants, and other pests.
Does Staining Provide Long-Term Protection for Wood?
Staining wooden products will create a deep color that highlights the wood’s natural grain and provides some protection against UV rays and water damage. Unfortunately, staining wood does not provide long-term protection for wooden surfaces. For the best protection, it’s recommended to use a combination of staining with another protective finish.
In addition to staining wood, homeowners must seal the wood or apply an additional layer of protection. Sealant products will help preserve the color of the stained wood while providing long-term protection against water damage. Due to this, sealants work well with wood stains to protect the wood.
Applying a clear coat will also seal the stained wood, effectively protecting the wood from moisture, weather, and other environmental factors that can damage the wood over time. Clear finishes also work well with stains, protecting the wood from water damage and unwanted stains. Clear coats also slow down natural wear and tear.
Depending on which protective finish you choose, it’s important to maintain the wood sealant or clear top coat. Over time, as these finishes protect your wood, damaging factors like sunlight and moisture will cause the protective coating to break down. As the protective finish breaks down, it becomes less effective at protecting the wooden surface.
Due to this, it’s important to maintain your protective finish to maintain the protective properties of the sealant or top coat. You should apply a new coat of sealant or top coat if the existing protective coating is fading, cracking, or peeling. Properly maintaining your protective coat is crucial for the long-term protection of wooden surfaces.
3 Tips to Maintain Stained Wood
In addition to applying a protective coating, here are three tips for maintaining stained wood to protect it against sunlight, moisture, and pests!
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Never use harsh cleaning chemical cleaners on wood as they can do the opposite of protecting the wood. Harsh cleaning solutions damage the stain and strip away the protective coating.
- Regular Cleaning: Stained wood must be regularly cleaned to remove dirt, dust, and debris accumulated on the surface. Use a soft cloth and a cleaning solution designed for wood to wipe down the wood.
- Routine Maintenance: Regularly inspect the stained wood for any signs of wear and tear. If you notice any fading or peeling, the stain/protective finish must be reapplied to protect the wood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Staining Wood Make It Waterproof?
Staining wood can add some level of waterproofing, which protects the wood from warping, cracking, and other forms of water damage. Using a stain in combination with a protective finish is the best way to waterproof and protect the wood.
Must a Stain Deeply Penetrate the Wooden Surface?
The deeper a stain penetrates a wooden surface, the more protection it will provide against sunlight and moisture. Due to this, it’s important to correctly apply wood stains. While you must use at least two coats of stain for any staining project, you can apply as much wood stain as the wood can absorb. The following video outlines how to stain wood properly!
Should You Apply a Protective Finish After Staining the Wood?
After staining a wooden surface, a protective finish must be applied to provide long-term protection against UV rays, water damage, and wood-eating pests. Sealants like varnish, polyurethane, and lacquer are excellent choices to use after staining wood to change its appearance. You can also apply a clear coat for long-term protection.
Is Staining Better Than Painting to Protect Wood?
Unlike wood staining products, paint does not seep into the wood. Due to this, staining wood is more protective than a coat of paint, which only sits on top of the wood. Stains penetrate the porous wooden fibers, which helps provide some protection against damaging factors like sunlight, moisture, and pests.
Conclusion
While wood staining does not provide long-term protection for wooden surfaces, it does provide some protection against UV rays and water damage. Due to this, staining wood counteracts discoloration, prevents water damage, and protects against rot and pests. A protective finish must be applied over the stained wood to provide adequate long-term protection.
