However, there are a number of intrinsic differences, the main one being that paint lies on the surface of the item being painted, whereas stain is absorbed into it. Film-forming finishes like paint and solid stains last longer and have stronger colors, but will inevitably peel and require more effort to renew. A penetrating stain differs from a solid stain entirely in that the product actually absorbs into the wood. Semi-transparent oil stains won’t last as long. As a result, the solid stain penetrates into the wood surface better than a paint. 410-922-9703 Fax, "Just wanted to say thanks for a job well done. Nevertheless, paint can be applied on wood and many other surfaces like plastic and stucco. To determine which product is right for a given project, there are a number of different things to consider. Stain will generally have less pigment than paint. Stain is always thinner than paint and when stain is applied on a surface, it tends to soak into the surface. Since it’s thinner than paint, it seeps into the surface, which can enhance the natural beauty of your wood. Latex paint vs. solid stain. Solid stains are nearly indistinguishable from paint. A solid stain is, essentially, a paint. There are many different types of stains, ranging from transparent stains, to semi-transparent stains, to solid stains. Stain only comes in flat sheen and it cannot be applied over a painted surface. Older layers of solid color stain tend to look better than paint does over time. Solid stains are most often used when the wood is rough, or when you want to accentuate the wood texture. Pro: Stain Showcases More Wood Features Stain strikes a good balance between color and texture. © Sheldon & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. He did two projects for me. Stained surface often need to be re-coated just as you do as any of your painted surfaces. Concrete stains go on quicker, dry faster and take less work than concrete paint, but … And paint is used when the surface is smooth or you want the longest-lasting coating to protect your wood. Paint coats, stain penetrates. An exterior paint application can last anywhere from 5-10 years, depending on the quality of surface preparation and the quality of the paint product. The boards are drying out and cracking quickly . Consider us satisfied customers!" Solid color deck stain and paint contain similar compounds in different quantities. Whether you finish coat the wood with solid stain or with paint, keep in mind that both require the wood be primed first. Solid stain shows all that beautiful … To determine which product is right for a given project, there are a number of different things to consider. If you’re looking for a worry-free experience, give us a call. Doors create a barrier and help to separate spaces between internal rooms to the exterior of your house. Solid stains are able to resist cracking, peeling, and blistering if applied according to the manufacturer’s instruction. On the other hand, solid stain can be easily applied and recoated. One of my exterior paint guys uses the Cabot stains in solid instead of paint on pretty much any wood house that doesn't already have paint on it. As nouns the difference between paint and stain is that paint is a substance that is applied as a liquid or paste, and dries into a solid coating that protects or adds color/colour to an object or surface to which it has been applied while stain is a discoloured spot or area. Be sure to hire a pro for the job the first time around! For the most part, paint and solid stain are the same in appearance. The right level of opacity depends on the type of surface and your personal preference. These stains have been likened to a wood finish, rather than a stain, and that is a very accurate description. The solid really looks like paint. Concrete stain embeds the surface to color it translucently, while opaque concrete paint covers the top of the concrete but is subject to chipping and peeling when improperly applied. Wood stain, transparent to semi-solid in opacity, partially fills the pores … And always remember that mistakes are easily made, but not easily fixed (and can be unbelievably costly). It sits on the surface and covers the wood completely, leaving a smooth and solid colored surface. The main difference between paint and stain is that paint sits on top of the surface rather than seeping into the surface. A solid stain will better accentuate the texture of the wood, so a rough surface likely calls for stain over paint. Pigment not only adds color to wood finishing product, but also blocks lights and prevents a wood deck from weathering. Applying a stain is a bit trickier than sealers, and is best left to professionals. Hence, solid stain is less time consuming to apply on a surface. Paint Coats: Painting coats the top of wood with a latex-based solid color. Stain goes on generally with a sprayer but paint is brushed and rolled on. Solid color stain looks like paint, but soaks into wood instead of sitting on top of it. The chief advantage of stain v/s paint is that stain provides a natural look and usually will not peel and chip like a paint film. On a deck surface, a stain penetrates so that you avoid creating a wear layer (as a paint would). Stain wears away gradually for periodic re-coating. Offering a touch of color but allowing the wood’s unique characteristics and patterns to shine through, semi-transparent stains … … Paint that is applied according to the manufacturer’s direction will last longer than stain. When first opening a can of stain or paint, the noticeable difference between the two is that stain has a thinner consistency. Stain usually soaks into the surface, while paint sits on the surface –coloring it. They were very considerate of our needs and met or exceeded our every expectation. Like topcoat finishes, this can lead to the wood becoming chipped and flaked. Acrylic stains are generally similar to paints. Paint If you look at paint and stain, they both look the same. Most people would say the houses were painted and wouldn't know it was solid stain. Both deck paints and deck stains are available as oil-based and latex-based mixtures. But this is simply not true. Read more. If you have a highly absorbent surface, it may require more stain than you planned on. What is The Difference between Solid Stain and Paint? It faces South and exposed to East and West on sides . However, increasing sheen level also increases the visibility of substrate imperfections. Site developed by Silesky & Company, LLC. At a glance, you likely won’t notice the difference between the two once dried. Stain is composed of pigments and other ingredients that perform the same things as they do in paint. Paint, on the other hand, is a much thicker film that solid stain. Why Caulking is Important for the Exterior of Your House. Read more. Paint also provides a broader color range. Traditional Paint. Painting coats the top of wood while stain penetrates the wood. It is partialy covered over Front door . Semitransparent stains . Transparent stains are made to soak into the wood surface you’re finishing, whereas solid stains simply sit on wood surfaces and produce a thin film for protection. The trade-offs between paints and stains are the same for fences as for decks (see “Decks,” below). This is a definitive plus for many homeowners. Paint and solid stain are both opaque. Paint peeling requires extensive scraping. Paint and stain have one thing in common: both consist of the same ‘ingredients’ – pigments and a vehicle – that coat a surface in a protective layer of color. The crew was great. Stain is always thinner than paint and when stain is applied on a surface, it tends to soak into the surface. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Painting Vs. Staining. When it comes to finishing exterior-wood surfaces, both latex paint and latex solid stains are potential choices. I have a deck on front porch stained it with Cabot a good stain. However, solid stain will provide more protection to wood surface by letting the moisture escape. 443-576-3005 Tel We learned our hard lessons a long time ago! The primary visual difference is that solid stain has no sheen and does not reflect light. Stains are also a cost-effective choice and they require very low maintenance cost. 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). You can still expect 6-8 years of longevity out of a properly executed exterior stain application. The main difference between deck stain vs deck paint is the thickness of the covering. Solid stains create a darker, uniform look and cover most of the wood’s natural elements like paint. On the other hand, paint stays on the surface and creates a thin film. The first difference is right when you pop open both the cans; the stain will look thinner than paint. Ragsdale, Inc. | 709 Sheridan Rd, Lake Bluff, IL 60044 | (847) 234-4567. Unlike solid stain, paint has more color choices and is available in various sheens. However, if you check inside, there are so many differences between solid stain and paint. The truth is, not much! There is a common misconception that stain doesn’t need re-doing. With solid stain, you need minimum or no surface preparation and primers are not always required. Both are available in basically the same colors and protect wood from sunlight and water. Deck paint creates a thick layer over the wood surface. 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. However, if you check inside, there are so many differences between solid stain and paint. (615) 829-6858. Stain protects and preserves the beauty of your wood compared to paint which covers and hides it. Should you paint or stain your doors? Wood siding is a durable and attractive siding material, but it requires protection from sunlight and moisture. Should you paint or stain your doors? You will notice a big difference between concrete paint and stain during the application process. There are also a variety of sheens and mattes for paint, so you can pick the style you want to use in just about any color. — David Speelman. When you apply stain, you will notice that it tends to soak into the surface, whereas paint sits on the surface, coloring the substrate, or to become part of the substrate as color. We get this same question year after year. We have the knowledge and experience to execute most any project without a hitch! [email protected] Stain contains significantly less pigment than paint. Both are films that sit on the surface of a substrate. While both solid and transparent deck stain can be made of similar ingredients including pigments, transparent stain is much thinner than solid stain. One should also apply paint over a primed surface in order to get the best result. Exterior Paint & Solid Stain – What’s the Difference. When applied to a piece of wood, the stain soaks into the wood whereas the paint sits on the surface. Stain has a flat finish as it soaks into the wood whereas a paint has a variety of finish options with varying sheens. A penetrating stain differs from a solid stain entirely in that the product actually absorbs into the wood. On the other hand, paint stays on the surface and creates a thin film. How to Pressure Wash Asphalt Roof to Remove Ugly Stains? Both stain and paint are applied on a surface with a purpose to provide protection and add color. Exterior Solid Stains Solid Color Stain vs. This allows it to bridge cracks and imperfections in the substrate, resulting in a smoother finished surface. Solid color stains are non-penetrating, meaning that they lay upon the surface of the wood rather than bonding with it. What’s the difference between exterior paint and solid stain? As it ages, stain breaks down by fading rather than peeling. As a result, there is a higher risk of the paint peeling since it is common for wood to swell and expand due to weather conditions. To further understand these important differences, think of a solid-color stain as having similar ingredients, but usually in a different quantity. We recommend a low-lustre sheen on most exterior surfaces – it wears the best with weather conditions. Solid stain is, essentially, a paint. Exterior Siding - Paint Vs. Stain. Both solid stain and paint are films that sit on the surface of a substrate. If you buy a true, solid-color stain, it won’t penetrate wood in the same way that some thinner stains would. Solid stains provide a thick, colored film that can be made to match or coordinate with the colors of your home siding. If you are using a light color over a tannin wood (cedar or redwood), sometimes a primer is indeed necessary. COVID-19 Notice - In-person and video estimates available! With stain, no priming job is required and it usually requires only one coat. Paint is often more expensive, but gives more versatility in color options. Sheldon & Sons, Inc. A solid stain is, essentially, a paint. The disadvantage here is that solid stains are very flat and thus are typically less durable than paint. Solid Color Stain. Unlike paint, stain doesn’t steal the spotlight from your wood’s natural character. While it is necessary to clean the concrete to apply both stain and paint, that is where the similarities end. The game changing difference between staining and painting? However, a penetrating stain entirely differs from a solid stain in which the paint actually absorbs into the wood. As a result the finish lasts longer (where with a paint, it would have to be repainted periodically, depending on the climate). Paint is more expensive and is more time consuming to apply on a surface. As verbs the difference between paint and stain is that paint is to apply paint to while stain is to discolour something. Ragsdale, Inc. has been in the business of exterior surface restoration and finishing for over 35 years. While paint and solid stain may look the same to the naked eye, the inside story is quite different. Start with the substrate – is the wood rough or smooth? Additionally, a degraded stained surface is typically less work to prepare than a degraded painted surface, so you can expect that less labor will be involved when it comes time to re-stain. So while paint and solid stain is essentially the same type of coating, there are differences that lead to different uses. For this reason, low-lustre paint isn’t usually the best choice for rough surfaces. Both are films that sit on the surface of a substrate. One thought on “ The Differences Between Paint And Stain ” PHILLIP TILLERY says: April 28, 2019 at 8:10 pm. If applied professionally, paints are likely to provide color uniformity and offer various degrees of sheens. Just like regular paint, solid stains hide the grain of wood, and the best should last three to five years on a deck, the longest of the three types of stains. 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