By Alexis Adam
Stains and sealers do not differ that much from each other. Pigments have water-resistance qualities and added tone that gives it the color, while sealers are a transparent finish that penetrates the wood and forms clear tops. There are also wood stain sealers that are combined.
Wood Stains
Wood stains improve the look of outdoor wood projects. Wood stains have a lot of benefits to wood, making it the best option for one to choose for wood. These benefits include:
Prevention of Rotting
Wood, especially outdoor lumber, is prone to rotting. Rotting makes the wood look visually unpleasant. When rotting begins, there is no way to stop it. However, staining wood is vital, and it helps prevent rotting in the first place.
Cost Efficiency
Most walking surfaces require wood staining. Painting these surfaces is not the right way to save on costs. Painting has low durability compared to wood stain. Sealants are the best bets since they are durable, last longer, and are cheap to apply.
Prevention from Moisture and Sun
When water enters the wood, it causes more damage than rotting. Water makes the wood break, thus destroying any wood project. Likewise, sunlight causes a lot of damage to unsealed wood. It is advisable to use sealers on wood to preserve the wood appearance. Staining assures one that wood will remain the same in these harsh conditions.
Simplicity
Stain is easier to apply compared to paints. The appearance of a stained wood is eye-pleasing compared to a painted one. Stain is long-lasting, economical, and easier to use compared to paints.
Notably, every consumer should take their time to consider which one is better, between stains and paints. Wood stain sealer has several advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of Wood Stains:
The stain makes the wood’s color, texture, and grain remain visible.
There are several varieties of stains. That is solid, clear, and outstanding. Knowing the type of wood helps one choose the stain color to use. Unlike paints that peel off, stains only fade off, and one can quickly notice and be replaced.
Penetrates the wood grain
Wood stain can penetrate the wood and avoid moisture entering the wood and causing damage to the wood. Staining wood helps prevent rotting and helps minimize maintenance costs.
It brings out the beauty of the wood.
Enhancing the wood surface can be achieved by finishing wood with stains. Staining helps bring out the nature of wood, unlike paints which peel off.
Disadvantages of Wood Stains
Stains Only Last A Few Years.
Most stains last up to five years. Re-staining of wood surfaces can be a very draining and complicated job. Re-stained wood requires a lot of maintenance after a few years.
Some Woods Don’t Hold Stains.
There are types of wood that are not able to hold stains. Stained wood requires special attention and therefore uses a lot of money, time, and labor. Some woods are stained with a clear lacquer to avoid sun damage as long as the coating is maintained.
Stains Are Less Predictable.
Staining wood requires more attention compared to paints. One is not sure about the result given by stains, but pigments are predictable.
Wood Sealers
Wood sealing is one of the best wood finishing methods. It is mainly used on stained wood or unstained wood. Sealers often use clear wood to show the grain and natural wood color. It prevents wood from causing rot. Most sealers are wood stain sealers used to seal stained wood. One needs to check factors when choosing to pack as wood finishing. They include;
Durability
Choosing the best finish for wood gives one the advantage of finding the best finish that is durable. Seals are a little different from stains. In applying seals, it is vital to follow the instructions on the container and make sure one takes note of drying time and gives the wood the right finish.
Easy Maintenance
One is supposed to choose the wood that can adapt to any weather. Having wood that can stain well avoids a lot of maintenance expenses. The application of sealers also helps in maintenance. If sealers are applied in the best way, prolonging the wood’s life. The sealers used are easy to maintain to save on time.
Cost
When choosing sealers, it is vital to select those that are in ones’ budget range. Some sealers are of good quality and are a little more expensive than others. It is advisable to use those bound to last longer than cheap ones at a lower rate. Low-quality sealers need a lot of maintenance and attention hence wasting a lot of finances.
Color
Sealers are chosen based on colors. Some are clear, some have a heavy tone, while others have color pigments that create particular looks or effects on wood. It is advisable to choose sealers with the perfect result, even on stains.
Wood sealers are very important when used as finishes. They have particular benefits on wood. These benefits include;
- Prevents particles of wood from mixing with the finish; hardwood floor still contains natural particles because it contains organic particles. These particles can mix together with the finish and cause discoloring of the wood and also prevent it from adhering to the wood. By using sealers the rich color can be maintained.
- Prevent reaction of wood from the finish: wood projects use a lot of time and money to put the perfect wood floor. Applying finishes is also an arduous task. It is also essential to seal wood floors. Seals are vital since they help prevent any chemicals in the finish from reacting and damaging the wood. Sealing prevents destroying a significant wood project.
- Produce the perfect color: using a sealer helps one understand the paint on hardwood floors. Sealers are essential in accomplishing dimensional looks achievable by finishes only.
- Builds a solid base for finishes: Hardwood floors offer natural beauty. Applying finish alone is not helpful because the wood soaks in all the finish. Applying seals helps supply the base for the finish to sit along. Seals also help protect the wood from damage caused by finishes when they are used alone.
