Choosing the Right Deck Stain Color

Your deck stain colors should be cohesive with the exterior color scheme of your house and backyard. You can pick a stain with a color that is used in other areas of your home’s facade. Another way is to use the most dominant and unchanging color in your backyard (either your house’s exterior or the landscaping) and find a stain color that complements it.

There are three types of deck stains – transparent, semi-transparent, and solid. Solid and semi-transparent stains are suitable choices for your deck if you need to protect your wooden deck and uncapped composite material from the sun’s UV rays. Using either of these two stains on your deck is crucial for maintaining the luster of your decking material. Otherwise, the sun will discolor, warp, or crack your deck and lead you to have it rebuilt or replaced prematurely.

On the other hand, if your deck has a shade structure providing adequate UV protection, you can use transparent stain for your outdoor space. Transparent stains are great for showcasing the natural grain and color of wooden deck materials. This is why we recommend that our clients build a suitable shade structure for UV protection when they choose a beautiful wood type as their decking material.

The wood that your deck is made of has a natural hue. This color will make the stain look different from what is indicated in the package once applied. Because of this, you need to pick a stain with a hue that either neutralizes or enhances the natural color of your decking material. You can use the color wheel to find a deck stain color that is analogous or complementary to the existing color palette of your home and backyard. 

Aside from this, you also need to consider if you want to enhance the grain of your decking material. Transparent and semi-transparent stains showcase the grain patterns of your wooden deck, giving your outdoor living space a unique and natural touch. 

Ready for an outdoor deck transformation but have not decided on the color? Be sure to check out Bob Vila’s 21 top deck colors by clicking here.

If your deck is not brand new, it probably already has stain applied to it. This limits your choice of deck stain type or color to the one that your deck currently has. For example, even when you sand it smooth, applying a transparent or semi-transparent stain on a deck with an old solid stain will not end well since it no longer has the same look as fresh wood. In the same way, using a transparent or semi-transparent stain on a solid stained deck or a different semi-transparent hue is not an option since it will change the look of the stain you will apply.

Moreover, older decks will have some imperfections brought on by wear and tear. You need to inspect your bare deck before staining it with a transparent or semi-transparent stain. Staining damaged parts of your deck, especially with a semi-transparent tint, can make these imperfections more evident.

Before coating your whole deck with your chosen stain, test it first by applying the stain on a small, less visible spot on your deck. This is an important step to ensure that you get a good result from staining your deck. It lets you see how well it sticks to your deck, especially if it’s previously stained. And, it allows you to see how your chosen deck stain color will look on your deck with your house and the landscaping without having to coat it completely. 

If the stain you choose does not adhere well to your deck, you will either have to use a different product or sand the deck further before testing it again. Our team can help you achieve your desired results for your deck with our services for deck staining in Nashville.