Paint vs. Stain: Which Wood Finish Should You Choose?
Our Austin Architects Explain When You Should Paint vs. Stain Wood in Your Home
You have two options for finishing wood surfaces in your home — paint or stain. So, how do you know which wood finish you should choose? It may surprise you, but the decision goes way beyond aesthetics. To help you decide between paint vs. stain, our Austin architects review the top considerations to keep in mind, as well as the pros and cons of each.
Painted Wood Built-ins/By: DK Studio
When It Comes to Paint vs. Stain — Listen to Your Architect
Many of our clients waver on their paint vs. stain decision after millwork installation is complete, especially if it is their first remodel or first time building a house. After seeing the wood go up, they second guess their decision to paint and ask us if we could stain instead. Or, they think their initial choice of stained wood will be too dark and ask our opinion on painting all the trim work white. However, the decision to paint or stain must be made way before millwork installation even begins. Words of advice — listen to your architect from the start!
Pink Painted Wood/By: DK Studio
1. Decide Whether You Want to Paint or Stain During Initial Planning
The choice to paint or stain the wood finishes in your home needs to be finalized in the initial design planning stages of your home build or renovation project. Mapping out decisions like these ahead of time prevents delays, reorders, and additional expenses. Additionally, not all woods are intended to be stained. So if you decide to paint early on, it could cost you time and money to change your mind after millwork is installed. During initial planning meetings, make sure to highlight the design goals you want to achieve and listen to the recommendations of your design team.
2. Consider Design Intention and Style
Consider which architectural style is right for you when deciding to paint or stain your wood finishes. While paint comes in endless color options and is easily adaptable to most design styles, stained wood has fewer options and won’t look good in every home. Consider your style and which finish is more common in the type of home you want. For example, stained timber would look amazing in a Craft Revival home, and painted wood may look better in a more modern home.
3. Remember Not All Woods are Created Equal
Your decision to paint or stain your wood finishes affects what type of wood your design team orders for your project. Construction materials are designed for specific purposes. Wood intended for painting won’t look good stained because the stain will reveal too many knots and variations. If you chose to paint your wood, your team might have also ordered different varieties of wood for different surfaces. If you changed your mind and decided to stain, the wood colors wouldn’t match. The decision to stain or paint needs to be made before any wood materials are ordered.
4. Think About Future Maintenance
When deciding between paint vs. stain, you should consider factors beyond aesthetics, like maintenance. Painted woods are typically easier to maintain and last five to seven years. On the other hand, stained woods require more maintenance and only last one to three years. Consider where you install your wood finishes and how much upkeep you are willing to do before deciding to paint or stain.
5. Don’t Change Your Mind Mid-build
Most importantly, listen to your architect’s design recommendations, and don’t change your mind to paint or stain mid-build! Switching your decision to paint or stain in the middle of the project can derail your timeline and not look as good as your original selection. Remember when we said not all woods are created equal? If you choose to stain a wood intended for painting, you probably won’t like the final result. If the original design was planned around painted wood, changing this element could create a mismatched look or clash with other material selections. Stay true to your original design plan and rely on your architect’s expertise to see it through.
Stained Wood Fireplace/By: DK Studio
Paint vs. Stain: Pros and Cons
Need help making the initial decision to paint or stain your wood finishes? Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind.
Pros and Cons of Paint
Pros:
Endless color options
Coordinates with most design styles
Durable and low maintenance
Hides imperfections
Cons:
Can crack and chip over time
Doesn’t showcase the wood
Painted Wood/By: DK Studio
Pros and Cons of Stain
Pros:
Highlights the natural look of wood
Provides a beautiful finish
Cons:
Requires an investment in higher-grade wood
Requires more maintenance
Fewer color options
Doesn’t go with all design styles
Rustic Stained Wood/By: DK Studio
When is Paint the Better Choice?
Painting wood finishes is a better choice when you are working with different types of woods for other surfaces and need to create a uniform look. Paint also hides any imperfections and variations in wood grain, producing a more streamlined and style-neutral appearance. In addition, paint has a longer lifespan than stain and is more durable.
When is Stain the Better Choice?
Stain is a better choice when you are working with beautiful high-grade woods that you want to showcase. When staining, plan ahead and ensure all the wood types match and coordinate with the home's overall style. Remember, stains may require additional maintenance through the years.
Stained Craftsman Wood/By: DK Studio
Should I Paint or Stain the Wood in My Home?
The decision to paint or stain the wood finishes in your home needs to be made early in the design process with the input of your architecture team. If you opt to invest in a high-quality uniform wood throughout your home, go ahead and stain it. If many different types of woods are used in the project that aren’t designed for staining, it is better to paint them.
Don’t forget style considerations. For example, we decided to paint the stunning wood paneling in our Pocahontas project’s great room white. The project would have had a completely different feel if we had made a last-minute decision to stain! It probably would have made the room feel too dark. Many factors go into planning a design, and changing one without consideration of the others can yield a less successful project. So, should you paint or stain your wood? Our advice is to listen to your architect!
Painted Wood Paneling/From: Pocahontas Project/By: DK Studio