Stain vs. Paint
As Kentucky weather starts warming up, it’s time to start thinking about those DIY projects you’ve been putting off all winter. Nothing is better to get your spring started than a refreshing home painting project. If your project involves painting or staining over wood, you want to be sure you use the appropriate product so you’re entirely satisfied with the end result.
Stain and paint are your go-to staples for wood projects, but you may wonder which is appropriate. Our team of experts wants you to be informed, so we want to discuss the applications of paint and stain and in what situations one would work better over the other.
The Characteristics of Benjamin Moore Stain
Use Stain if you want the wood grains to shine through in your project. Stain penetrates the wood and acts as a protective coat to preserve the natural grain pattern. It is typically less expensive than paint and usually more straightforward to apply. However, the color options tend to be more limited than paint hues. We carry four different types of stains that are suited for a variety of applications:
- Clear Toner is to wood what sunscreen is to your skin. Clear Toner protects from UV rays so that the wood’s grain will not be damaged.
- Semi-transparent will change the wood's color just enough not to obscure the grain, and you should apply it every 2 – 3 years.
- Semi Solid contains less pigment than a solid stain. It will slightly obscure the grain with its color but will still allow some of the grain to shine through; you should reapply it every 2 – 4 years.
- Solid acts more like flat paint because it will entirely obscure the grain. A solid stain may peel if you don’t apply enough coats, but it will last at least 5 – 7 years.
The Characteristics of Benjamin Moore's Paint
If you want a more uniform cover, apply Paint to your wood. It comes in thousands of colors but is typically more expensive than stain. You can also use paint over previously covered wood, but you should not apply Stain over paint. The Painted Horse is proud to carry various interior and exterior Benjamin Moore paints. Paint comes in several different sheens:
- Flat works best for surfaces that have a lot of flaws. The flat sheen will better camouflage and obscure any dings or scratches.
- Matte is a step up from flat with minimal reflectivity. It can withstand more cleaning and is perfect for moderate traffic areas.
- Eggshell falls right between flat and glossy. It also can withstand washing and will give each hue a subtle glow. Eggshell is the perfect middle ground between matte and shiny.
- Satin is similar to eggshell but slightly glossier. It will give any color an eye-catching luster and highlight a home's interesting architectural features.
- Semi-gloss is perfect for cabinets and furniture with few or no flaws and is suited for trim in high-traffic areas.
- High Gloss is the shiniest sheen and is well-intended for flawless surfaces. It is easy to clean and delivers a luxurious finish.
Contact Us Today for Benjamin Moore Stain and Paint Near Lexington, KY
If you’re ready to learn whether to use Stain or paint for your next DIY wood project, please visit us at one of our showrooms in Lexington, Richmond, or Georgetown, Kentucky. If it’s easier, you can contact us online, and one of our friendly staff members will reach out.
We are honored to serve customers in the greater Lexington, KY, area, including Georgetown, Richmond, Frankfort, and Paris, KY.
