Making a Statement with Stain
The primary purpose of deck staining is to preserve your deck’s integrity by protecting it from moisture, impact, pests, and other environmental threats. Restaining your deck every two or three years can extend its lifespan so you can enjoy this luxurious feature for a long time without needing to invest in major repairs. That said, the benefits of a quality deck stain aren’t merely functional; they’re also fashionable. If you’re looking for ways to spice up your exterior, there’s a lot you can do with the right deck stain and some strategic application. The best deck stain for these purposes will depend on your particular vision, of course. Here are some ways to make a statement with stain.
Why You Should Stain Your Deck
Show Off Your Deck’s Natural Wood Grain
A well-built and properly installed wooden deck has a timeless look that can enhance any home exterior. In fact, you might adore that natural wood grain aesthetic so much that you’d prefer to embellish it rather than conceal it. Fortunately, there are plenty of stain options that allow you to do just that. Translucent deck stain is designed to protect your deck and give it some gloss and color without covering up those desirable wavy wood lines and patterns. Depending on the amount of grain or color you want to see, you might go with a more or less translucent finish; clear stains barely provide any color, while more solid stains disguise more and more of the wood grain.
Create Contrast
Another way to make a strong statement with stain is to select a solid color that provides powerful contrast with the rest of your home’s exterior. If your siding is yellow, for instance, you might look for deck stain colors such as red, blue, or dark green to create a clear separation between your home and your deck. Deck stain color options are somewhat limited compared to paint color options due to their composition, but you still have a wide range of options to select from.
Go with an Unexpected Deck Color
Whether or not you want to create contrast between various exterior features, you can attract plenty of attention by going with an unusual color for your deck. The majority of decks tend to be brown (i.e., natural tones), white, or some shade of grey. This makes sense, as these options tend to look great on any property. If your goal is to make a statement, however, consider exploring less common color options such as the red, blue, or dark green mentioned above. Those aren’t the only color options, of course. What about daffodil yellow, tangerine, jade green, or even purple? These deck colors won’t be for everyone, but in the right context, they can suit an exterior and capture attention in a positive way.
Paint a Pattern on Your Deck
You can go one step further with solid deck stain or deck paint by applying it in a special pattern such as checkerboard, pinwheel, geometric shapes, or some other custom design or mural. Going this route is risky and complicated, usually requiring special tools and stencils to get it just right. The average DIY-er might not be up to the task, and standard staining services might not have the artistic expertise to pull it off, either. Still, there’s perhaps no stronger way to make a statement with deck stain or paint than getting decorative in this way.
Putting Your Stamp on Your Deck with Stain
If you’re already planning on staining your deck to protect its integrity, it’s worth thinking about the aesthetic implications of this process. If you want to try something new and unique, the experts at Anderson Painting can help you select the right deck stain finish and color(s) for your goals and handle the preparation and application processes for you. To learn more about us and all we do, call today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
