Like any exterior wood surface, a pergola should be protected with a wood stain to increase its appearance and lifespan. Knowing how to stain a wood pergola is key. To stain a wood pergola it should first be cleaned using a scrub brush or pressure washer.
What color should I stain my pergola?
What color should I stain my pergola? A golden brown color is the indicator that it's ready to stain or seal. Depending on the product you choose, follow the instructions on the can carefully, just as you would for applying finishes to other exterior wood surfaces.
What kind of wood do you use for a pergola?
What wood should I use for my timber pergola?
- Hardwood timber pergola. Hardwoods are produced by angiosperm trees that reproduce using flowers and have broad leaves. ...
- Benefits of using hardwood timbers for your pergola. Hardwood is strong. ...
- Softwood timber pergola. Softwood is usually wood from gymnosperm trees, such as pines and spruces. ...
- Benefits of using softwoods for your pergola. ...
How to seal a wood pergola?
There are many different products that you can choose from, including:
- Clear sealant – Allows the wood grain to shine while adding weather protection.
- Paint – Oil-based paint offers exceptional durability, but exterior acrylic is long-lasting and easier to clean up.
- Stain – A gel formulation is preferred because it doesn’t run when staining the overhead sections.
What is the rough cost of a pergola?
The cost of a pergola depends on its size, materials and other factors. On average, expect to pay between $100 and $500 per square metre, or $2000 for a basic installation to $5000 for a custom pergola. Pergola cost can be higher for a more complex project. Breaking down rough pergola costs by material:
How hot should it be to stain wood?
A general rule of thumb for the best type of weather and temperature for staining and sealing wood is between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (between 10 and 27 degrees Celsius). Deciding when to stain should be based on your extended forecast. The wood needs to be dry when you apply the stain or sealant, and a precipitation-free window of time after staining. Most types of stain recommend a rain-free window of around 24-48 hours after application. Follow the application guidelines on your chosen stain, sealant or paint.
How often should I re-apply wood stain?
There are stain and sealer combinations that work well and apply with one step if you want to keep the natural wood look with some protection. Re-application timeframes also vary based on the brand and your local climate, but typically re-application is recommended every couple years.
How long does it take for a pressure treated wood pergola to dry?
For pressure-treated wood, you must wait until the wood is completely dry before adding stain, sealant, or paint. This can be 2-6 months after you assemble the pergola, depending on your local weather. Pressure-treated pine will initially have a green appearance, that over a couple months’ time will turn to a golden brown, then gray if not water sealed or stained. A golden brown color is the indicator that it’s ready to stain or seal.
How long does it take for wood to dry after staining?
Most types of stain recommend a rain-free window of around 24-48 hours after application. Follow the application guidelines on your chosen stain, sealant or paint.
What is the difference between opaque and non-transparent stain?
When considering your stain options, a general rule of thumb is the more transparent the stain is, the more of the natural wood grain you’ll see. The more opaque (non-transparent) the stain is, the less of the natural wood grain you’ll see.
How long does it take to seal a pergola?
Here are the main steps and tips for staining and sealing your outdoor pergola. After you’ve double-checked that you’ll have a 24-48 hour period after you stain that you’ll be precipitation-free (depending on the product you’re applying), you can get started.
What happens if you don't paint wood?
Without it, the wood will naturally turn to gray over time and will be more exposed to the elements.
Before We Begin: Check Your Local HOA Laws And Building Codes
As much as we want to say the sky’s the limit with your paint options, this really is not the truth. If you live in an area with strict building codes (like New York City’s suburbs) or if you live in an area with a very strong HOA, your paint color options might be limited.
The Best Colors To Paint A Pergola
Now that we got into that bit, let’s talk about some of the top pergola painting picks, plus the most obvious way to make your home look complete…
Related Questions
It depends on the pergola. If your pergola is like most on the market, then it’s made of wood. This makes it a perfect candidate for the right wood stain. However, not all pergolas are going to be made from wood. If your pergola is made of synthetic fiber, plastic, or metal, you cannot use a stain to change its color. It’ll slide right off.
What stain to use on a pergola?
To stain the wood pergola, I used Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofing Stain. It’s ‘transparent’ which means that even though it has a tint—Acorn Brown—the wood grain can show through, which I like.
Is rough sawn stain better than brush?
Plus, with the rough sawn texture, the stain flowed into the billion nooks and crannies much better from a brush. It was also easier up top where everything is close together.
What needs a little TLC from time to time?
Anything that lives outside needs a little TLC from time-to-time.
Can you change the look of a wood pergola?
As much as a start and stop journey as this has been, the beauty of a wood pergola is that you can change its look. Unlike a pergie made out of something else, a wooden structure can be updated and improved.
Is the tint a sealer or a stain?
The tint gives a color I dig. And, as an ‘all-in-one’ stain, it is also a sealer so water beads off of this bad boy like never before.
