Staining a wood house?

Should you stain your wood house? - Read more. . .

Staining a wood house?

Before applying the dye, make sure the surface is clean (free of dust, dirt, wood fibers, or grease), dry and free of mold. When a surface isn't clean, stains and other finishes have trouble sticking together and can eventually peel off. You can remove dirt with warm water and detergent, but mold problems require more. Removing mild mold requires mixing a quarter of a gallon of household bleach in three quarters of water. You should also consider taking a look at your gutters since clogged gutters can cause serious mold especially if it is not being maintained for quite long. Hiring a gutter cleaning service such as Gutter Cleaning Pleasanton CA to avoid further damage. 

Always brush backwards to ensure a uniform application. Apply BEHR stain or wood finish following the grain of the wood. Check the wood surface for surface irregularities (cracks or holes) that need to be smoothed with wood putty. Apply BEHR wood dyes and finishes with a quality brush, applicator, or sprayer, following all instructions on the label.

We guide you step by step, including tips on the best paint sprayers to use, maintenance and techniques for staining wood. For untreated wood exterior surfaces, dye soon after installation to help prevent wood deterioration, darkening, or mold growth, a common result of exposure to the elements. A good home dye not only beautifies the exterior of the house, but also preserves and protects the outer wood from nature's harshest elements. This old house decodes the differences between the different types of stains so you can get the look you want.

From a distance, this house of artisanal influence appears painted, but a closer inspection reveals a penetrating semi-transparent stain on its cedar slats. Ask an expert at Sherwin-Williams or the lumber company where you bought the wood when the best time is to apply the dye. I would generally recommend a solid color dye for the exterior of a house rather than transparent because the solid color lasts longer and is more durable against the elements. In my experience, once the outer surface is worn or needs to be re-dyed, it can move on to a water-based stain without too much trouble.

The wood particles in wood-plastic composite roofs are as vulnerable to the sun as solid wood and become dirty over time. There are many reasons why poor preparation work is peeled, wood decay due to rot or sun, water vapor that penetrates underneath the film and lifts it up, UV rays damage the finish itself, but the only cure is to remove the detached stain and start over on a clean surface and solid. Working with a solid color dye is very similar to paint, but the dye tends to penetrate deeper into the wood instead of remaining on it.

Kimberly Greenfield
Kimberly Greenfield

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