Wood Stain Colors That Add Value
A simple coat of wood stain can make a huge difference.
When the time comes to stain your deck to protect it from the elements, it's easy to just grab a basic product and knock out the job. But a little deliberation when choosing a wood stain can pay significant dividends. Gone are the days when deck stain only came in a handful of wood stain colors designed to mimic and enhance the natural hues of wood. Now you can get deck stains in a rainbow of tones and levels of opacity, to simulate a number of effects. Here are a few dynamic concepts that will elevate any home project, from looks modeled after classic Japanese siding to modern and rustic American styles. The spectrum of choices can be overwhelming, so here are a few can't-miss ideas.
Wood Stain Colors
Wood Stain Colors
Honey Gold Woodland Oil
If you want the natural tone of your wood to stand out, Olympic's Woodland Oil collection of deck stains is a fantastic pick. Made with natural oils that penetrate deep into the material to protect from water and mildew while preserving grain and texture, they are durable and beautiful. The transparent Honey Gold adds warmth and vibrancy to decks and surfaces, with a summery sheen that contrasts beautifully with greenery. This stain is ideal for high-traffic areas and holds up wonderfully over time.
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Wood Stain Colors
Wood Stain Colors
Solid Deep Charcoal
A traditional Japanese method of finishing exterior surfaces involves taking cedar planks and charring their surface to a deep black. Known as shou sugi ban, the process is expensive and time-consuming, but delivers a fascinating look to ordinary materials. If you want this iconic dark wood stain look but don't have the resources to painstakingly burn your entire deck, it's possible to capably replicate the effect with proper application of wood stains. Olympic's Deep Charcoal solid stain goes on with a lush, rich tone that absorbs light and heat, lending gravitas to a deck or other structure. It's a bold look that will no doubt draw attention, but it's not recommended for hotter climates.
Wood Stain Colors
Wood Stain Colors
Semi-Transparent Sierra
Semi-transparent wood stains offer the best of both worlds, letting the natural grain and texture of the material show through while giving you more control over color. If you have a deck made from pressure-treated wood that doesn't have a lot of individual character, using a colored stain that isn't completely opaque is an easy way to give it additional depth. The semi-transparent caramel color lends richness to any kind of wood, but works especially well on many types of pressure-treated lumber. It's great for houses that are painted or stained cool colors, but the shade can really work in just about any context. If you have a lush yard surrounded by trees, it can give your home a pop of natural color without clashing with those green tones.
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Wood Stain Colors
Wood Stain Colors
Solid White Wood Stain
For a traditional farmhouse look, step outside of the natural wood tones and opt for a dramatic solid white wood stain. Although this might not be the best choice for high-traffic areas, white stains are a key element of the classic Cape Cod beach look, often paired with red trim. Opting for white stain should be done in areas where rainfall isn't overwhelming, because nothing will mar it quite like muddy footprints. If you're working on a beachside project, though, it's absolutely a can't-miss choice. The clean and refreshing look of white deck stain not only keeps heat from accumulating on surfaces but also complements sand and surf. There's a reason that it's a look you can see all over the East Coast.
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Wood Stain Colors
Great Wood Stain Colors
Wood Stain Colors
As you can see, choosing a color of deck stain is another valuable opportunity to unify the aesthetic of your home and raise its market value. Doing a high-quality job of staining a deck isn't a particularly difficult task, but it does require some thought beforehand. Weighing your color options for the type of wood your deck is built from as well as your home's exterior can make an ordinary deck into a spectacular selling point when it's time to move on. Decking and exterior wood is one of the first things a prospective buyer will see when they come by, and using it to make a great initial impression couldn't be easier.
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