Things to Consider when Choosing a Wood Stain.

Wood stains are the perfect product to colour and protect your exterior woodwork but with so many different products on the market, it can be hard to pick the best one.

Here’s all you need to know about different types of wood stains, application methods and colours.

Types of wood stain
There are 2 main types of wood stain: water-based and solvent based

• Oil-based wood stain available from Ronseal: the perfect choice for restoring exterior doors and windows, as it is very durable and penetrates into the timber enhancing and protecting its colour and texture. 
• Water-based wood stains tend to be a better choice for indoor surfaces.

What you choose is largely just a matter of what you prefer.

Don’t forget to look out for UV resistant wood stain, as this is great for preventing colour fade and keeping your exterior wood looking great for longer. If you can’t decide what type of wood stain to buy, just ask the sales assistants at your local DIY store.

How to apply it
Applying a wood stain is a great way to finish wood and a high quality brush is the most popular wood stain applicator, for exterior wood DIY projects and irregular shaped areas.

The trick is to apply the stain evenly and make sure you work area is free of dust and dirt before you begin much like what you do when you are to apply a decking stain.

Clean rags and cloths can also be used, but I would always recommend brushes as your work will be neater and you will be able to use them for other DIY projects too.

Colours
The first thing to decide when choosing a stain colour is whether you’re trying to get a completely different look or just trying to restore your exterior wood’s original colour. Most of us go for traditional colours such as mahogany, walnut, pine or oak, but ultimately it’s up to you.