Btw we are looking to use a semi transparent stain not solid.
Solid stain vs semi transparent for cedar siding.
The transparent nature of oil based stain gets only more transparent over time allowing uv rays to degrade the wood.
The main difference between the two is the subtlety of the staining.
Here are some factors you can consider when looking for the right stain for your cedar siding.
For hard or exotic woods mahogany cedar or redwood for example rahni prefers defy s deck stain for hardwoods a synthetic semitransparent deck stain specifically formulated to penetrate these dense woods.
If you have intense sun on cedar wood siding you d be best served using a semi transparent stain not a paint.
You didn t mention transparent stain which tries to preserve the wood quality while keeping the natural wood color.
Both solid and semi transparent stain should be easier to reapply since no scraping or sanding is required.
But even the best semi transparent stains in our tests aren t as tough as the top solid stains and our data suggest that this type of stain will probably last only two to three years on a deck.
However if the surface is very old or has been previously painted rahni often chooses the solid finish.
Pino i have done at least four of the semi transparent siding jobs w shakes shingles bevel siding all clear western red cedar situations.
A transparent finish will highlight all the wood grain without being noticed from afar.
This will give your home an organic look.
They do not form a surface film like paints or solid stains.
Second biggest factor is moisture.
Solvent borne oil based semi transparent stains penetrate the wood surface.
The most common types of exterior wood stains that you are likely to see are the semi transparent wood stain known as penetrating stain and the solid color stain which is non penetrating.
Semi transparent stains require more maintenance with an additional application in between keeping wood protected than does a solid stain paint lasting typically 5 7 years.
The issue isn t that the stain is failing.
Transparent or semi transparent finish.
Those extractives can even bleed through many types of paint.
For western red cedar products they are the best choice in terms of offering protection yet they still showcase the wood s natural beauty.
While annual refinishing is recommended latex stains might go as long as 4 8 years before you need to refinish.
Thinking hardiboard siding and looking into their shingles too 8 and having spent the last couple.