Selecting the Ideal Exterior Wood Finish

If you've been involved in selecting wood finish for an interior project, you may have concluded that the selection process was not all that troublesome. Upon finishing an interior project, you may now find yourself starting an exterior project that requires wood finishing.

You now find yourself facing far more considerations regarding exterior wood finish that you faced in regard to your interior project. There are a number of facts and strategies that you need to bear in mind when it comes to selecting exterior wood finish.

Specific Function

A primary consideration that you need to bear in mind when it comes to selecting an exterior wood finish is the specific function it will serve. Many people make the mistake of thinking that is it's marked as exterior wood finish, it can be used on anything out of doors with equal efficacy. That is a false premise.

The finish selected for a deck is not necessarily going to appropriate for the entrance door to your home. In other words, don't take the tactic that you'll stain the deck and then use any remaining product to take care of the front door.

In fact, you must utilize the tips and strategies outlined here for each individual exterior project. You cannot just make a grand determination to select stain for all "outdoor stuff."

Life Cycle and Maintenance

No outdoor finish lasts forever. The lifespans of some finishes can be extended depending on how much maintenance work you're willing to put in. Thus, another of the factors that you will need to bear in mind when it comes to selecting exterior wood finish is lifespan or life cycle.

This element is coupled with how much time you realistically are going to be willing and able to commit to ongoing maintenance. You absolutely must make an honest assessment in this regard. Failing to make an honest assessment regarding your own availability and interest in maintaining exterior stained wood can cause problems in the not too distant future.

Appearance

Appearance is a key consideration when it comes to selecting exterior wood stain, of course. In this day and age, there is a myriad of different exterior stain options to select from on the appearance front. These include:

• clear
• lightly colored
• semi-transparent
• opaque (like paint)
• glossy
• matte
• natural

Application

The issue of stain application oftentimes is overlooked. The reality is that there are some types of stains that are far easier to apply than are others. There are types of stains that do require considerably more effort and advanced skills in the application process.

If you lack experience in applying stain, you need to focus on those derivations that require an easier application. Do not assume that because you're relatively proficient with painting that you will be able to readily take on the staining process. While there are similarities between the two, particularly if you select an opaque stain, there are differences as well that rely on dissimilar application techniques.

Cost

As with anything done to enhance and improve the look of your home, cost is likely an issue. With this in mind, you will be able to find a wide number of exterior stains in different price ranges.

The recommended strategy when it comes to price is to set your budget before you go out and about to select a stain for an exterior project at your home. By budgeting first and looking later you are far more likely to be able to contain costs than if you approach buying stain from the other direction.

By adhering to these suggestions and tactics you will be in the best possible position to make educated and effective decisions regarding the selection of suitable stain for an exterior project at your home. These tactics will assist in making the overall process of planning and undertaking an exterior stain project far more manageable, and even enjoyable.

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Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Scaffold Store, the favorite and trusted scaffold supplier of the largest contractors.