The Difference Between Water-based and Oil-based Stain

 

Which stain is best? Is an oil-based stain better than a water-based stain?

 

Here’s a quick checklist when deciding which stain to use.

 

1.) Is the stain made for logs?

2.) Are the stain, caulking and chinking compatible with one another?

It’s important to keep bugs and weather where they belong – outside. But if your stain, chinking, and caulking aren’t compatible with one another, that bug and weather barrier is compromised. When you consider that an average size log home has over one mile of caulking joints, making sure the stain you use will work with the sealants is critical. It’s easy to find out if they’re compatible: use a system from a manufacturer who specifically formulates their stains and sealants to work together, and if it’s not a system from the same manufacturer, be sure to contact both the maker of the stain and the maker of the sealants. Chances are, they’ve tested their product with others and know the answer to that question.

3.) What look do I want?

That picture in your minds’ eye is probably pretty developed. So, go get it! Answer these questions before you choose a stain type and it’ll help you narrow down the type you choose.

• What color do I want?
• What sheen do I want? Flat? Glossy? Somewhere in between?
• Am I going to do maintenance, or am I going to hire someone?

That said, on exposed logs and wood, it’s best to stick with either a surface stain or a shallow penetrating stain. Both will result in the best long-term durability and beauty you desire. 

 

Surface Stains:

General Information:

• All are water-based
• Rely on excellent adhesion to wood fibers for good performance
• Leave behind a thin coating on the wood's surface
• Great for using on vertical walls, handrails, tongue & groove ceilings
• Not great for deck or roofs

Sheen:

• Eggshell, Satin, or Gloss (depends on brand and system)

Pros:

• High-performance brands have excellent UV protection
• High-performance brands have good to excellent elasticity, are able to handle log movement
• Many are easy to maintain with clear maintenance coat
• Breathable - will not trap moisture and allow moisture to escapeOf the three types, generally the most durable
• Generally compatible with sealants

Cons:

• Will peel if proper wood prep is skipped
• Lack of routine maintenance will lead to cracking and peeling
• Cheaper/lower-quality formulas are rigid - will crack and peel quickly

• Mostly hybrid (water-in-oil emulsions) and oil-based with drying oils
• Penetrate up to 5 wood cells deepLeaves behind a thin firm on the wood's surface
• Excellent for vertical walls, handrails, tongue & groove ceilings
• Some are good on decks

• Varies widely from flat to high gloss. Depends on type of raw materials used

• High-performance brands have excellent UV protection
• High-performance brands have good to excellent elasticity, are able to handle log movement
• Easy to maintain with another coat of the same product, often in a lighter color
• Breathable - will not trap moisture and allow moisture to escape