According to Networx, “wood siding should be repainted every 3-7 years, or stained approximately every 4 years.” How often you'll need to restain or repaint will depend on your region's weather conditions as well as how often your home suffers damage.
It depends on the type. Those with more pigment last the longest: up to 7 years for a solid-color stain. Clear toners, which have the least amount of pigment, need to be reapplied annually.
A good maintenance coating is one coat of stain of the same color every five years. There again, if you are looking to do a color change or you had prolonged maintenance, you're probably looking at two coats of stain every eight years.
How often you need to restain your siding depends on your climate and how much wear it does to your siding. However, you should expect to restrain every three to five years.
Stain Application Frequency
Exterior deck stains last longest when they cover the most wood grain. Sunshine, specifically UV rays, and rain wear down a protective stain. Although some stains may last longer, in general, you'll need to re-stain your deck every 2 or 3 years.
Done right, an exterior paint job can last 10 years; stain needs to be reapplied more often, anywhere from two to 10 years, depending on the type of stain. One key to how long an exterior finish lasts is how well the surface is prepared.
Paint tends to last a little longer than most stains, coming in at around 8-12 years before you will likely have to repaint. Stain, on the other hand, typically has to be refinished every 5-10 years.
Because stain requires a dry deck for a secure application, a week of dry fall weather is ideal for staining your deck than in summer or spring humidity. More specifically, the moderate temperatures of early fall are optimal for staining, as the later fall weeks may bring colder days that are too chilly for your stain.
In some cases, you can get away with leaving the previous coat as it is, as long as you perform the other necessary preparation steps, such as sanding and power washing. If, for instance, the new stain is the same brand and color as the old stain, you might not need to go through the complete removal process.
With staining, you'll know if you've over-applied your deck stain because there will be sticky patches or puddles that just aren't drying—the wood has absorbed all it can, so the remaining stain has nowhere to go.
Exterior stained wood covered from the elements lasts 2-7 years, depending on the stain, wood type, and surface. Exterior wood substrates require maintenance, and there are no practical ways to prevent it other than replacing natural wood with composite.
However, the stain itself will loose its moisture too to the sun's rays, and as that happens, it will be obvious as the stain begins to fade. As the stain fades, so does the protection it provides. So, if you notice the stain on your front door or cedar post begin to fade, you'll know it's time to re-apply the stain.
Extremely dense hardwoods may only be able to absorb one coat of wood stain. The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much deck stain as the wood can absorb. Typically this will be 2 coats, unless you are dealing with extremely dense hardwoods which may only be able to absorb 1 coat of wood stain.
Stain is typically less costly than paint and comes in fewer colors and options. It is typically used for wood projects but there are some options available for concrete as well.
Stain Compatibility. The new stain you are applying over the old stain should be compatible. For instance, if it's an oil-based stain, apply another oil-based stain. If it's a water-based stain, apply another water-based stain.
Stain is often cheaper to purchase than paint. It is easier to apply stain, as well as to re-coat surfaces that need a touch up. Stain is quicker to apply than paint, because you don't always need to prime surfaces first. It also only usually needs one coat.
Can I stain on top of old stain? Yes! In fact, applying stain over stain is a fairly simple process. It works especially well if you're applying a dark stain over a lighter stain.
Using most gel stains, you can darken wood furniture, or stay the same color, without sanding off the old stain. But, I usually use General Finishes Gel Stain because the finish always looks beautiful. Don't forget to Save or Share these steps for how to stain wood without sanding.
Yes, you may apply stain over an already existing stain on the wood. This process is a fairly easy one as long as all the tools are available. The good thing about a staining project is that you have control over the resulting wood tones. It is easier to apply a darker wood stain than a lighter one.
A common mistake when applying stain is not taking weather, temperature and moisture into account. Staining when the deck surface is too hot or the wood is too wet; when rain is too imminent or when nighttime temperatures are too cold can all lead to problems down the road and shorten the life of your stain.
“Staining wood usually works between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit,” says Phillip Ash, the founder of Pro Paint Corner, “but the best temperature would be at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.” Some brands or types of stains may work outside that range, but it's the generally accepted best temperature for staining wood.
For most stains, 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimum, with the safety range from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Stains do vary, so check the label first. This also applies to the surfaces you're staining. Avoid high humidity and staining on hot surfaces.
The Cons of Staining Wood
While some stains can last up to five years, postponing re-staining a wood surface for too long can cause the job to become more complex and labour intensive. Even decks that are stripped and re-stained will still require maintenance every couple of years.
Transparency: The Best Types Of Stains
The best options for exterior stains for wood homes are semi-transparent, semi-solid, and solid. You can use them on siding and trim. Their main differences are how much of the natural wood and color you can see through the stain and how often they need restaining.
Beiges, browns, tans, and other earth-tone colors are more stable on exterior exposure. The inorganic pigments used in these colors are less likely to break down than organic colors such as reds, blues, greens, and yellows.