A fresh coat of stain will give your San Ramon, CA home a refreshed and updated look and allow you to decorate your space in whatever color or shade you like.

But painting or staining goes beyond aesthetics and appearance. It also offers plenty of practical benefits, from protecting the wood surface from moisture and insects that can cause mold or rot to maintaining your home’s structural integrity. 

If you want to boost your home’s curb appeal but don’t want to paint it, you can stain it. Stains preserve the wood’s siding’s natural color and texture. Staining your home’s exterior generally costs less than painting. You don’t need more than just one coat of stain, but it depends on the wood’s type and condition. Additionally, staining doesn’t require priming, saving you labor.

Professional wood staining services in the Bay Area are also available. Custom Painting, Inc. offers wood staining services that add protection, charm, and elegance to your home. Our team of skilled, licensed, and insured painters can make the process smoother and easier to enhance your home’s curb appeal without the hassles usually associated with painting.

What is exterior staining, and what are its benefits?

Exterior staining refers to applying a specialized stain to the exterior surfaces of buildings, such as wood siding, decks, fences, and outdoor furniture, to enhance their appearance and protect them from the elements. 

Exterior staining offers a combination of aesthetic enhancement and long-term protection, making it a popular choice for preserving and beautifying outdoor wood surfaces.

Here are some key benefits of exterior staining:

• Enhanced appearance—Staining can enhance the natural beauty of wood by enriching its color and highlighting its grain patterns. It can give exterior surfaces a fresh, polished look, improving their overall aesthetic appeal.
• Protection from UV rays – Stains often contain UV inhibitors that help protect wood from the damaging effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV exposure can cause wood to fade, discolor, and degrade over time, leading to cracking, warping, and decay. Staining forms a protective barrier that shields wood from UV damage, prolonging its lifespan.
• Water resistance—Exterior stains provide a waterproof barrier that helps repel moisture and prevent water from penetrating the wood. This prevents rot, mold, and mildew growth, which compromises the wood’s structural integrity and leads to costly repairs.
• Prevention of rot and decay –  By repelling moisture and inhibiting fungal growth, exterior staining helps prevent wood rot and decay. This is particularly important in humid or rainy climates where wood is more susceptible to moisture-related damage.
• Durability – High-quality exterior stains are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, including rain, snow, wind, and temperature fluctuations. They form a durable protective layer that can endure years of exposure to the elements without peeling, cracking, or flaking.
• Low maintenance – Compared to paint, which can chip and peel over time, exterior stains typically require less maintenance. Stained surfaces can often be cleaned with soap and water or a mild detergent, making it easier to keep them looking fresh and well-maintained.
• Preservation of wood’s natural properties – Unlike paint, which forms a thick film on the surface of wood, exterior stains penetrate the wood fibers, allowing them to breathe and expand or contract with changes in humidity. This helps preserve the wood’s natural flexibility and resilience, reducing the risk of cracking or splitting.

Custom Painting, Inc.’s exterior staining process steps

1. Choosing the stain – The first step is to select the appropriate type of stain for your home’s exterior, depending on the wood’s type, condition, or appearance. Options include:
   • Transparent or clear stains highlight the wood’s natural color and grain. This type of stain is best for new and untreated wood
   • Semi-transparent stains allow some of the wood’s natural grain to show through while hiding some surface flaws.
   • Solid stains offer more color options and give off a paint-like appearance. They are perfect for old wood surfaces because they hide flaws.
2. Surface prep work typically involves cleaning the exterior to remove dirt, mildew, and old paint or stain. We can power-wash the exterior to remove stubborn stains carefully without damaging the wooden surface.
3. Necessary repairs—Once the surface is cleaned, we inspect the exterior for damaged areas, such as cracked, rotting, or splintered wood. These issues should be repaired or replaced to ensure a smooth, uniform surface for staining.
4. Sanding—Sanding is necessary to strip the old finish and smoothen the surface. It helps create a better surface for the stain to adhere to.
5. Applying a wood conditioner (if necessary)—We may apply a wood conditioner to specific types of wood before staining it. It helps achieve a more even finish, especially on softwoods like pine, which tend to absorb stains unevenly.
6. Staining—Depending on the product and the size of the area to be covered, we apply the wood stain using a brush, roller, or sprayer. We work in sections to maintain a wet edge to avoid lap marks.
7. Drying and curing time – Once the wood stain is applied, we leave it to dry and cure for a sufficient time. The required time can vary based 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.
8. Applying a sealant (optional) – In some cases, we apply a sealant over the stain for additional protection against the elements, especially for decks or other horizontal surfaces that receive more wear and tear, depending on the type of stain used and the project’s specific requirements.

Contact Custom Painting, Inc. for your staining needs

Contact Custom Painting, Inc. today for your next house painting in the Bay Area project! Schedule a consultation and appointment with us by phone at 925-866-9610 or by filling out this online form for a free estimate. We look forward to working with you!