Choosing a tone
Clear, semi-transparent or solid: what each one shows
There is no wrong tone, only a different trade. This is what each does to the wood and how it ages.
| What you compare | Semi-transparent | Solid | Clear or transparent |
|---|---|---|---|
| The grain | Semi-transparentShows most of it | SolidHides most of it | Clear or transparentShows nearly all of it |
| Color | Semi-transparentA visible tone, grain still showing | SolidA flat color like paint | Clear or transparentA light tint of the wood |
| Weathered wood | Semi-transparentEvens out the color a little | SolidCovers most of it | Clear or transparentShows the gray and the stains |
| Aging | Semi-transparentFades slowly in the sun | SolidPeels at the edges when it fails | Clear or transparentFades evenly, redo more often |
| The next coat | Semi-transparentA wash and a coat | SolidA wash, scrape of loose spots and a coat | Clear or transparentA wash and a coat |
Sample boards
How wood looks before we choose
We brush a sample on a spare board at the walk-through. Look at it in your own light, in the morning and the afternoon.
Light A light tone
Close to the color of the wood, with the grain showing. It shows wear sooner.
Warm brown A warm brown
A middle tone, with the grain still clear.
Dark A dark tone
A deep color that hides more of the weathering underneath.
Questions
Tone questions
Can I see the tone before you stain?
Yes. We brush a sample on a spare board or an out-of-the-way spot at the walk-through, and you look at it in your own light before choosing.
Which stain do you use?
A premium exterior stain in the tone you choose. Ask for the product data sheet and we will send it with the plan. We use the same stain at every visit unless you want to change tone.
Can you stain over a painted or solid finish?
Sometimes. Stain needs to soak into wood, so a failed paint or solid-color coat has to come off first. We tell you at the walk-through whether the wood needs stripping and quote it separately.
Bring a photo of the deck.
We will bring boards in a few tones to the walk-through.