Staining vs Painting Wood – Which Is Better For Woodworking?
This article may contain affiliate links for your convenience, please read my full disclosure policy.
Staining and painting are two of the most popular ways of finishing woodworking projects. Both produce very good finishes and have several desirable characteristics that appeals to all of us.
However, even though both produce very desirable finishes, there’s a very huge contrast between woodworking projects finished with stain and those finished with paint.
There is a stack difference between wood stain and wood paint. If you’ve worked with both, you’ll know this.
So, the question is, how do you determine whether to use either of the two? When should you use wood stain, and when should you paint your woodworking projects instead?
Well, choosing between the two depends on what you want to achieve with the project. It depend on the kind of finish you’re after, and the kind of wood you used for the project.
Remember, even though both produce very good finishes, there’s a stack difference clear as day between the results you achieve on either finishes.
So, let’s break down the differences, the advantages and disadvantages of both so you know exactly which one to go for when deciding the final finish you want to apply on your woodworking projects.
Table of Contents
Why Choose Wood Stain?
Staining is like giving your wood a natural makeover that helps enhance the woods natural grain. Instead of covering it up, the stain preserves the natural wood grain, even making it more pronounced and vibrant.
Here are some important reasons to use stain.
1. It Highlights the Wood Grain
Like I just mentioned, the single most important reason for staining wood is to help emphasize the natural grain of the wood. If your project involves high-quality wood with beautiful textures, stain allows those patterns to stand out.
Whether it’s the rich swirls of walnut or the subtle lines of oak, a stain can make your wood grain pop.
2. Natural Appearance
Stains tend to keep a rustic, organic vibe. If you’re going for a more natural or minimalist look, staining is the way to go. It enhances the warmth and authenticity of the wood without overpowering it.
3. Very Little Quantity Is Required
Unlike paint, you don’t need large quantities of stain to cover a surface. You just need very little quantity of it. All you need is rub it over the sanded wood surface. In most cases one coat is enough.
4. No Special Equipment is Needed to Apply it
Painting requires tools like rollers, sprayers, air compressors and a whole lot of other special equipment and accessories to apply it.
Stain on the other hand, does not. You can even apply it with a piece of clothe or a simple brush. No special equipment needed.
Just deep the soft piece of clothe in the paint and rub it over the wood surface. Spread it evenly and you’re done.
3. Easier to Apply
Staining is generally more forgiving than painting. It doesn’t require as much prep work, and a few coats go a long way.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about priming the surface—just sand it smooth, and you’re good to go.
4. Durability and Low Maintenance
Unlike paint, which can chip or peel over time, stain soaks into the wood. This means it’s less prone to wear and tear. Touch-ups are also easier; you can reapply a stain without needing to strip the entire surface.
Disadvantages
Limited Color Options
Unlike paint which comes in almost unlimited color options, the color choices for wood stain is quite limited. You have fewer options to choose from.
Less Protection Of The Surface
Paint provides more protection for the wood from the elements than stain. When you stain wood, the wood is still exposed. Can easily be damaged by the elements if it’s not well protected.
When is Staining Best for Wood?
Staining works wonders on furniture like tabletops, decks, fences, and hardwood floors where you want the natural wood to be the star of the show.
It’s also ideal for hardwood floors because it soaks into the wood and doesn’t wear off that easily, unlike paint.
You can’t paint a hardwood floor. It will chip and scape off in no time. Stain will not.
Staining is the best option to go for if you’re working with high-quality wood, and you want it to show.
It’s also best for decorative wooden items where you want the natural grain of the wood to be the focus.
Why Choose Wood Paint?
Painting, on the other hand, is for complete transformation of the wood. It’s bold, creative, and offers endless possibilities for you to customize the project to your taste.
Here are some advantages for using paint.
1. Unlimited Color Options
With paint, the sky’s the limit. Whether you’re aiming for a classic white, a trendy sage green, or a vibrant pop of color, paint can deliver. It’s perfect for projects where you want to make a statement or match a specific design theme.
2. Hides Imperfections – Ideal For Cheap Wood
Let’s face it: not all wood is pretty. If your project involves low-quality wood, such as MDF or plywood, paint can mask imperfections like knots, cracks, or uneven textures. It gives you a smooth, flawless finish.
3. Strong Protective Layer
Paint doesn’t just look good; it acts as a barrier against moisture, UV rays, and wear and tear. This makes it a great choice for outdoor furniture, shutters, or any surface exposed to the elements.
4. Customizable Finishes
From matte to glossy and everything in between, paint lets you choose the exact finish you want. You can even get creative with techniques like distressing or layering for a more unique look.
Disadvantages
Not Ideal For Expensive Wood
Paint covers the natural beauty and texture of wood, which may not be ideal for certain projects. If you’re using expensive wood, you don’t want to cover it up. You want to show the beauty and allow people to see and appreciate it.
Painting wood that’s expensive covers up all that beauty. For cheap woods however, it’s huge advantage.
Prone to Chipping and Flaking
Painted surfaces may chip, peel, or crack over time, especially in high-traffic areas or when exposed to moisture.
Requires More Quantity
Unlike wood stain, you need more quantity of paint to cover the same surface of wood. In fact, you need to apply multiple layers of paint to get the right finish you need. That means more buckets of paint needed. This brings us to the next point.
Paint Is Expensive
Unlike stain, paint can be very expensive. And you need lots of it to complete the same project that can be covered with just a small cup of stain.
More Time-Consuming to apply
Requires sanding, priming, and multiple coats for a smooth finish.
Application Requires The Use Of Special Equipment
You need several tools and equipment to apply paint, which you don’t need with stain. You need brushes, rollers, roller trays, paint edging tool, paint sprayers and some more in some cases.
Higher Maintenance
A damaged painted surface takes more effort to repair, because you have to sand off all the damaged paint layer, prime it again, and then apply another multiple layers of the new paint.
When is Painting Best for Wood?
If your project involves wood that’s less than perfect or if you’re aiming for a clean, modern aesthetic, painting is your go-to option.
It’s ideal for indoor furniture like dressers, cabinets and shelves. It’s also ideal for children’s furniture, wooden toys or brightly colored decor pieces where stain just won’t cut it.
Exterior wooden structures like shutters and doors that needs high protection for the elements are also good cases for using paint.
Staining vs Painting – Key Considerations To Help You Decide
If you’re still undecided after all you’ve read above, here’s a final roundup of a few things that will help you decide.
1. Aesthetics
If you want to show the natural beauty of the wood, you want people to see the quality fo wood you’re using, then go with stain. Looking for a pop of color or a uniform finish? Paint is your best bet.
2. Durability Needs
Paint provides a stronger protective barrier, especially for outdoor or high-moisture environments. Stain, however, resists peeling and is easier to refresh when it starts to fade.
3. Project Type**
For furniture, decks, and floors with beautiful wood grain, stain is ideal. For kids’ furniture, or bold, colorful pieces, paint works better.
4. Type of Wood
The type of wood you use for your project also determine the type of finish you apply. For natural hardwood or softwood, both staining and paint is okay. For engineered wood however, like plywood, MDF, HDF, particle board and so on, you only have one option which is painting.
5. Wood Quality
There’s no way I’d be using some very expensive premium wood I bought for $3000 for a tabletop, and I’ll cover it up with paint. No way.
So, if you’re using some high-quality, premium wood, let it show. Use stain. But if the wood is cheap or heavily flawed, paint will cover everything up nicely, and no one will notice a thing.
6. Maintenance
Stains require less upkeep and are easier to touch up. Paint, while more protective, can chip or peel over time, requiring more effort to maintain.
Rounding Up
At the end of the day, everything depends on you. You have the final say. But consider the above when making your final decision whether to stain your woodworking projects or paint them.