Comparing Exterior House Painting to Staining the Structure

Property owners in Rhode Island want the exterior appearance of the structure to look appealing. After all, this is going to have a major impact on the value of the building. One of the most common questions we hear is whether or not someone should paint the exterior of the building or go with staining instead. When it comes to comparing the two options, there are a few areas in which people should look.

The Surface Preparation and Application Process

Both paint and stain require the surface to be as clean as possible. Then, both substances can be applied using a roller. Stain generally adheres to structures more easily; however, paint provides a better overall appearance. In order to get the most out of paint, it is important to do this right. The wood needs to be treated with a primer to ensure the paint will adhere to the wood as much as possible. This also blocks any major exterior issues from showing through the paint. Finally, the wood will need to be treated with a water-repellent preservative to prevent moisture from penetrating through the surface.

Protection for the Building

When it comes to protection for the exterior of the building, paint is far superior. While both stain and paint provide some degree of protection, stain will usually provide around two to three years of protection against the elements such as sunlight and moisture. This is because stain creates a thinner barrier that might not protect the wood as well as paint. When someone uses paint, there are usually multiple coats that go into place. This means that paint will provide anywhere from five to eight years of paint depending on any additional materials that might be used.

The Appearance of the Final Product

Even though paint takes longer to apply, it is also going to provide a better final product. Paint creates a film on the surface of the wood that will cover the grain completely. This means that paint can be used to hide any imperfections in the wood that will otherwise show through the stain. In addition to having nearly unlimited options, the final product looks better with paint.

Rely on Professional Local Rhode Island Painters

If you have a paint job that you need to have completed, then you need to rely on local Rhode Island exterior paint professionals. Call us today to learn more!