Wood stain will protect timber items such as fencing and furniture and can be used indoors and outdoors. They are available oil-based or water-based and can add colour to the timber or not, which can make it difficult to know which stain you need. Here, we look at the types of stain available and the range of products we stock at Witham Timber.
What is wood stain?
Wood stain is a liquid coating that is applied to timber in order to protect it. A stain works to prevent water and humidity penetrating the wood and will protect it from the sun’s UV rays.
Types of wood stain
Oil-based wood stain – oil-based stains are durable and penetrate the wood well, but have a slower drying time than other stains.
Water-based stains – water-based stains contain fewer pollutants and are therefore a more environmentally-friendly option. Not as deep-penetrating as oil-based stains, but they dry much faster.
Varnish wood stains – the same as oil-based stains but with a hard finish.
Gel wood stains – as the name implies, these stains have a jelly-like form which helps to keep the stain even. Not as deeply-penetrating as oil-based stains, gel wood stains behave more like a surface paint, and have a long drying time.
The advantages of wood stains
A clear wood stain will enhance the texture and colour of natural timber, and highlight the grain of the wood, whereas a tinted stain can be used to complement the surroundings or coordinate with other pieces in the garden. Applying wood stain is straightforward enough for even the novice DIY-er to do it themselves, with great results. Our blog article How to prepare garden furniture to paint has lots of advice for getting started!
Protek Wood Stain
At Witham Timber, we stock the Protek Woodcare range. Protek is a UK based company whose wood stain range was one of the first to use only water-based technology at a time when many people were still treating their wood with creosote. Their range of tinted and coloured stains contains organic pigments for a much lower environmental impact than oil- and solvent-based products.
Protek Wood Stain and Protect
This is a really versatile product that coats, colours and protects. With a built-in mould inhibitor, Wood Stain and Protect has very little odour and gives a micro-porous coating that can be used on terracotta and masonry. Two coats are recommended (one coat only for fences) but subsequent coats will deepen the colour. For larger jobs, the Protek Wood Stain and Protect can also be applied with a sprayer.
Protek Decking Stain
The new-generation, resin-rich additives in the Protek Decking Stain ensures stronger bonding and a tougher finish. Flexible and hardwearing, the stain is resistant to cracking and peeling and will enrich the beauty of the decking timbers with its long-lasting, concentrated colour content.
Protek Shed and Fence
Ideal for use on finished and rough-sawn wood, the Protek Shed and Fence range can be applied easily with a sprayer. As with the Wood Stain and Protect, one coat is sufficient to colour and waterproof a fence (two coats for sheds), with any further coats serving to deepen the colour. Offering good coverage at a competitive price point, Shed and Fence is safe enough to use on animal housing, as it has very little odour and low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A safe, water-based alternative to creosote products, Shed and Fence has excellent eco-credentials and requires nothing more than warm water and detergent for the clean-up after use.
To view our complete range of wood stain, click here.