If your home in the Pleasant Hill, CA area has a wooden siding, deck, door, or fence, you want to improve and refresh their look with a fresh coat of paint or stain. If you want to preserve the natural color, texture, and grain of your home’s wooden exterior surfaces, staining may be a good alternative to painting. It’s also less expensive than painting. It does not require more than one coat of stain, depending on the condition of your wooden siding, deck, door, fence, etc.

Custom Painting, Inc. also offers wood staining services that add protection, charm, and elegance to your home. We can make the process easier and smoother to enhance your home’s curb appeal without the hassles usually associated with painting. Our team of skilled, licensed, and insured painters delivers the highest quality results you can truly be proud of. Soon, your home will become the talk of your neighborhood!

Exterior staining – what is it?

Exterior home staining consists of applying a protective coating or stain to the exterior surfaces of a house, such as wood siding, decks, fences, or other outdoor structures. The purpose of exterior staining is primarily to enhance the appearance of the wood, protect it from weathering, and prolong its lifespan.

Staining can come in various forms, including transparent, semi-transparent, or solid stains. Transparent stains allow the natural grain and texture of the wood to show through, while semi-transparent stains provide some color while still allowing the grain to be visible. Solid stains, on the other hand, completely cover the wood with an opaque finish.

The staining process typically involves cleaning the surface to remove dirt, debris, and old stain or paint, followed by the application of the stain using brushes, rollers, or sprayers. It’s essential to ensure the surface is properly prepared and the stain is applied evenly for the best results.

Exterior staining helps protect the wood from elements such as sunlight, rain, snow, and temperature changes, which can cause wood to warp, crack, or decay over time. It also adds aesthetic value to the home by enhancing its appearance and curb appeal. Regular maintenance and reapplication of stains, as needed, can help preserve the beauty and integrity of the exterior wood surfaces for years to come.

Our exterior staining process steps

Here’s Custom Painting, Inc.’s general overview of its wood staining process:

• Choosing the right stain – We select the appropriate type of stain for your home’s exterior. Options include 
  • Solid stains offer more color options and give off a paint-like appearance. They are perfect for old wood surfaces due to their ability to hide flaws.
  • Semi-transparent stains allow some of the wood’s natural grain to show through while hiding some surface flaws.
  • Transparent or clear stains highlight wood’s natural color and grain. This type of stain is best for new and untreated wood.

The choice depends on the condition of the wood and the desired appearance.

• Preparing the surface – Same as with painting, our crew does the proper prep work to the surface so that the finishing stain adheres properly to it. First, we clean the exterior surfaces to remove dirt, mildew, and old paint or stain. For stubborn dirt, we use a power washer to remove it.
• Repairing damages – Before staining, we inspect the exterior for damaged areas, such as cracked, rotting, or splintered wood. Then, we repair the damage to ensure a smooth, uniform surface for staining.
• Sanding – We sand the surface to strip old finishes and smooth the surface. Sanding helps in creating a better surface for the stain to adhere.
• Applying a wood conditioner (if necessary) –For certain types of wood, we apply wood conditioner before staining it. Doing so allows the stain to adhere properly and gives the surface a more even finish, especially on softwoods like pine that tend to absorb stains unevenly.
• Staining – The stain can be applied using a brush, roller, or sprayer, depending on the product and the size of the area to be covered. We follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application. While working with sections, we maintain a wet edge to avoid lap marks.
• Drying and curing time – After application, the stain needs time to dry and cure. The required drying and curing time varies depending on the type of stain, the temperature, and humidity levels. It’s crucial not to rush this process to ensure the longevity of the finish.
• Applying a sealant (optional) –In some cases, we might apply a sealant over the stain to provide additional protection against the elements, especially for decks or other horizontal surfaces that receive more wear and tear. However, this depends on the type of stain used and the project’s specific requirements.

Benefits of wood staining

Staining your home’s exterior surfaces offers several benefits:

• Enhanced aesthetic appeal – Staining can enhance the natural beauty of wood by highlighting its grain and texture. It comes in various finishes, allowing you to customize the look of your Walnut Creek, CA area home.
• Protection from the elements – Stains provide a protective barrier against the elements, including UV rays, rain, snow, and humidity. They help prevent moisture from penetrating the wood, which can lead to rot, decay, and warping.
• Extended lifespan – By protecting the wood from moisture and decay, staining can extend the lifespan of your Lafayette,CA area home’s exterior surfaces. It can save you money on repairs and maintenance in the long run.
• Prevention of mold and mildew – Stains with mold and mildew inhibitors can help prevent the growth of these organisms, which can degrade the appearance and structural integrity of wood surfaces.
• Ease of maintenance – Stained surfaces are generally easier to maintain than painted surfaces. Stains typically require less frequent reapplication and touch-ups and tend to wear more evenly over time.
• Environmental friendliness – Some stains are formulated to be environmentally friendly, with low volatile organic compound (VOC) content and minimal impact on air quality.
• Preservation of natural texture – Unlike paint, which forms a layer on top of the wood, stains penetrate the wood fibers, allowing the natural texture and character of the wood to shine through.

Contact us for your wood staining needs

Staining your home’s exterior surfaces can improve its appearance, protect it from the elements, and prolong its lifespan, making it a worthwhile investment in aesthetics and maintenance.

You can benefit from Custom Painting, Inc.’s professional painting and staining services for the following reasons:

• Experience and expertise
• Licensed and insured painters and carpenters
• Quick and efficient service
• Use of quality paints, coatings, and equipment
• Work safety
• Time and cost savings
• Guaranteed quality results
• Flexible payment options
• Projects finished on time and within budget
• Free job estimates
• Contracts and warranties in writing

Contact Custom Painting, Inc. today for your next house painting project in the Bay Area project! Schedule a consultation and appointment with us by phone at 925-686-0903 or by filling out this request form. We look forward to working with you!