How Do You Choose A Pergola Stain Color
The most important factor to consider when choosing a wood stain color is how much natural wood grain you want to see through the wood stain.;
Wood stainers come in different levels of transparency that range from clear to solid, and can sometimes include multiple degrees of transparency in between. For newer wood and wood with smoother grain, it is best to use a clear, transparent, or semi-transparent stain.;
However, older wood and wood with rougher grain is best suited to semi-solid or solid stains. For this reason, being familiar with the kind of wood your pergola is made of, and the condition it is in is the best way to determine the level of transparency needed in its wood stain.
What Materials Are Needed For A Wood Pergola
The most important material you will need will be the wood. We recommend using cedar or modified wood. You will need to have wood in a variety of widths and lengths to serve as the posts, header boards, rafters and stringers .
Other materials needed for a wood pergola should include a variety of hardware components to secure the pergola together. Some of the hardware components might include lag bolts, joist hanger tabs, rafter clips, post bases , standard wood screws/nails, concrete and wood stain.
Whats The Best Way To Weatherproof Outdoor Wood
Weatherproofing your wooden patio structures and backyard seating has quite a few benefits. Not only will you protect the wood from UV rays, humidity, and frost, but youll also helpexpand the lifespan of your outdoor wood furniture.
Before applying any waterproofing solution, you should first consider repairing, cleaning, and sanding the wood. Outdoor wood and furniture are prone to physical damage, and you may find that it has chipped or been scratched. If thats happened, repair the damage first and seal it right away. This prevents moisture, water, and any other elements from seeping in and causing wood rot.;
Cleaning and sanding outdoor wood is necessary to ensure that you can fully restore it to its original state . Removing any scratches or cuts in the wood also makes it look as good as new, and sanding it down helps even the wood out, which is helpful once you begin weatherproofing your outdoor wood.
Once youve taken these necessary precautions, here are some of the best ways toweatherproof wood:
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Building A Wood Pergola
Building a pergola is a wonderful way to bring shade and shelter to a backyard concrete patio and a great upgrade to your outdoor living area. For those who feel up to the task and would like to try and build one yourself, we have included several DIY tips for building a wood pergola in this post to help.
Thompsons Waterseal Advanced Natural Wood Protector
Thompsons Waterseal Advanced Natural Wood Protector offers the perfect balance of affordability and strength. Building off of the original formula of the same brands Waterseal Waterproofing Stain, this covers all the same features with one additional draw: Thompsons Waterseal Advanced Natural Wood Protector makes it possible to complete an entire staining project in just one day.;
Thanks to the strength of this particular formula, only one coat needs to be applied, and one hour is all it takes for it to dryeven on damp wood. Because of this, Thompsons Waterseal Advan0ced Natural Wood Protector boasts a one-day turnaround on use, from cleaning the wood before staining to the wood drying, and finally curing.;
The one-gallon can will cover 200 square feet , and it is known to bring out the natural colors of wood on application. In addition, this formula also includes ingredients that keep mold and mildew from forming on the wood, as well as extra-strength UV protection and fade-resistance.
This stainer does not need to be mixed before using, and soap and water are all it takes to clean the wood after it dries.
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How Do You Clean A Pergola
Regardless which material you choose for your pergola, wood, metal, or vinyl, youre going to want to keep it looking good, so some pergola maintenance, like cleaning is needed periodically.;
A general cleaning is all youll need and that can be done with a general purpose cleaner, warm water,;and a soft brush.;
You simply need enough to clean away any debris and dirt that has collected over the seasons. This also provide the opportunity to inspect your pergola and make any notes for repairs needed, typically for a wooden pergola. Look for any cracks developing and use the same stain to touch it up to keep your pergola looking good. .
A pergola will give any size backyard a touch of style and will provide your family and guest hours and years of entertainment. Create an outdoor kitchen under your pergola or a place to sit and relax, the choices are many and theyre all yours to decide!;;
We Wanted To Stain Our Pergola But Before We Could We Needed To Clean The Wood Pergola Heres How We Cleaned Ours
Build a wood pergola: Check.
Maintain a wood pergola: NOT check.;
Come with me on this journey as I make almost every mistake possible bringing this un-cared for pergola back from the depths of dingy. However, this story has a happy ending. I learned a lot and want to share it with you.
The main challenge through every phase of this cleaning project was extremes in body position. It seems that either the piece I needed to work on was far away and required working with a long handle , or its right above me and the long-handled tool is in the way.
The key, which Ill show you below, is to be smarter than the pergola is confusing. In the end, I did clean the wood pergola.
One thing I didnt have to do three times was protect the ceiling fan. Deck stripper and detergent would do a number on the finish, so I removed the blades and encapsulated the housing in a contractor trash bag.
Bag it up and make extra sure the bag is sealed. I used Gorilla Tape for a solid lock.
This mistake is commonly made in many DIY projects. I didnt read the product label carefully enough and chose the wrong product for my application. Ive literally done videos on this topic and it still snuck by me.
Well, funny if youre not the guy who spent a whole day doing it.
Also, the face shield. This job is un-doable without it. More on that later.
This is an actual photo of me doing this the least efficient way possible.
Now that the clean the wood pergola job is finished, its time to apply the stain.
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How To Stain A Wood Fence Arbor Or Pergola
November 26, 2012 by Learn
Pergola by Ruth Thomas via Wikimedia Commons
An arbor or pergola is a common feature found in many gardens.; These consist of wooden fences and arcs where vines are allowed to creep and grow. A fully-vined arbor or pergola forming into a long, stretched tunnel will offer welcome shade and privacy.
In order to protect your wooden arbor or pergola, you should stain the wood, not paint it. This will highlight the natural beauty of the wood. ;We recommend Bakers Gray-Away products to stain your wood, using the following steps as guide:
Curing, cleaning, and preparation
New wood needs to cure, or weather, before stain is added. There are four different wood conditions that require specific cleaning, curing, and preparation before staining is done: new and untreated, new and pressure-treated, old and withered, and previously-stained wood.
The recommended weathering period for new and untreated wood is 4 to 6 weeks, while for new and pressure-treated wood, a period of 1 year is needed. Old and withered or previously-stained wood dont need any curing since they have already been subjected to plenty of weathering.
For previously-stained wood, you need to strip previous stains and sealers by using a wood stripper. Make sure you test whatever stripper you use on a small, unobtrusive section of your wood before cleaning it, to prevent discoloration and damage of your fence.
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We Stained Our Pergola
On Staining the Patio
What you needTake your time choosing a color and finish;You’ll want to pay attention to the color of the wood and the color of your home.My biggest tip is to sample sample sample.if all else fails, choose black.;Use a high-quality roller or brushPrep the area wellsomething
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Deck Premium Wood Stain
We thoroughly believe that the best pergola stain for the money is the #1 Deck Premium Wood Stain. It covers so many of the features offered by even the most advanced stainers, but unlike other advanced options out there, this one is much more reasonably priced.
Well-known as a great stain for decks, the #1 Deck Premium Wood Stain also makes an ideal fit for other outdoor structures like pergolas. This is because its water-based formula soaks deep into all softwood types to repel wet weather and protect against damaging UV rays, allowing the wood to last as long as possible.;
Acting as both a stain and a sealer, the #1 Deck Premium Wood Stain is also low in odour and low in VOC content, a toxic chemical compound found in higher amounts in oil-based stainers.
Another feature that helped make this our top pick is its ability to be applied to damp wood. After constructing a pergola, it can take months before the wood is dry enough for staining, especially in more humid climates. Luckily, it is not necessary to wait for the wood to be completely dry before applying the #1 Deck Premium Wood Stain.;
Its semi-transparent formula is available in four finishes, Natural, Cedar, Light Walnut, and Dark Walnutand each dry flat when applied to maintain the woods natural look.
The one-gallon can will cover 100-150 square feet , and will allow up to two full coats of use. Easy to apply, this stain also makes cleanup easy afterward, with just soap and water needed.
Tools For Staining A Wood Pergola
I tried a roller to apply the stain, but on small surfaces like posts and rafters, there was too much squeeze out and I was staining the lawn as much as the lumber.
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.
Quick tip: I used several gallons of Thompsons WaterSeal Waterproofing Stain Transparent in Acorn Brown. First, shake em up. Then, grab a bucket and pour in a little from each can to mollify any possible color variation between cans.
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Should I Stain My Pergola
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Staining a pergola costs $6 per square foot depending on the size, elevation, and the number of ornamentations. A small 12×12 pergola costs $860 to stain, while a large 16×24 pergola costs $2,300 for staining.
Subsequently, question is, how do you stain and seal a pergola? Steps for Staining and Sealing Wood PergolasMake sure it’s clear of surface dirt and is completely dry before applying any stain, sealant, or paint. Brush off any surface dirt with a cloth or soft brush. If you lightly hose off any part of the wood, make sure to let the wood dry completely before starting.
Similarly, how long does it take to stain a pergola?
It won’t take long until you have developed a rhythm and the job will be done in no time. While stain brands recommend a drying time of 12 to 24 hours, allowing the cedar to dry between 24 and 48 hours ensures that it is completely dry before you handle it for assembly.
How do I protect my wood pergola?
Clean the pergola well before applying any wood stain and sealant. Spray the pergola with a translucent oil-based wood stain suitable for cedar. Allow the stain to dry before applying a sealant. A coat of wood stain every alternate year will help boost its appearance.
Dont Forget To Test The Stain
Before you start applying your stain to the entire pergola, test your stain choice to make sure it has the desired effect. The post skirts supplied with your pergola are a great opportunity to do this. Test various stains and colours on the inside of the post skirts. These wont be seen when the assembly is complete, and will help you decide on your stain choice a lot more definitively than some arbitrary colour guide on a sample rack.
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Waterproof Using Wood Oils
Linseed oil, derived from seeds of flax plants, and tung oil, extracted from the Chinese tung tree, are two protective and beautiful-looking oils you can use to protecthigh-quality wood. You could even try blends of these oils, which is said to enhance the drying time and eliminate the sticky sensation after coating.;
Can I Change The Color Of My Pergola
Are you considering changing the color of your pergola? It is possible to change the stain color after a few years, but the original color may still share some of its character. For example, you can go from a rustic red to a walnut color, but the pergola will still have some of the beautiful red tint, even as it gets darker with the walnut stain.
Its important to note that you cant go lighter with stain colors, only darker. You do have a variety of color choices though, including classic walnut, espresso bean, and classic red cedar.
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How Do You Treat Pergola Wood
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Western Red Cedar and Redwood are the two most commonly used woods for pergolas, aside from pressure-treated wood. Western Red Cedar and Redwood are both naturally stunning woods and often lumped together.
Also, is it better to paint or stain a pergola? It should be noted here that staining and sealing a wood pergola, deck, or other outdoor structure doesn’t require two separate coats of stain and then sealant. Stain isn’t like paint, in that it’s better to do two or three coats for optimum coverage. Stain penetrates into the wood and actually changes the wood itself.
Also, how long will a wood pergola last?
Since they are made of wood, which is vulnerable to both rot and mold, you’ll need to re-stain any wood pergola every year to keep it at bay. How much maintenance you do determines how long your pergola will last. If you stain it every year, you can expect it to give you 10 to 12 years of performance.
How do you clean a wooden pergola?
To remove stains and mildew, mix a cup of vinegar, oxygen bleach with a gallon of plain water and apply it on the stains soon after hosing down your pergola. Leave it on for a few minutes and use a brush to gently rub the stains off.
How To Install Wood Pergola Posts
How to install your wood pergola posts will mostly depend on how the posts will be supported.
If your pergola post will sit in soil or will be constructed in landscaped areas, you will need to dig a hole and secure the base of the post in concrete, similar to how you would anchor a fence post. As a general rule, the depth of the post hole you dig should be approximately one-third of the overall height of the above ground post.
If your posts will sit on top of existing concrete or a wooden deck, you will need to use a metal post base and lag boltsto be secured directly into the concrete or wood.
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How To Stain And Seal A Wood Pergola
If you are building a wood pergola, you might want to consider staining and sealing the lumber before the pergola is constructed. This article shows products that work beautifully on a modern two-town pergola, as well as how to apply them effectively.
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It should be noted here that staining and sealing a wood pergola, , or other outdoor structure doesnt require two separate coats of stain and then sealant. In fact, the opposite is true. Stain isnt like paint, in that its better to do two or three coats for optimum coverage. Stain penetrates into the wood and actually changes the wood itself. It must be absorbed into the wood. Anything you put on top of the stain even another coat of stain wont be able to absorb into the wood like the first coat, so youll just end up with a slimy or tacky surface forevermore.
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One thorough but sparing coat of stain + sealer is the perfect protective covering for wood surfaces. Clear sealant provides the water- and weather-proofing element that stain does, but without the UV protection. So the color of your clear-sealed wood will eventually change to a greyed-out version.
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The rafters on this wood pergola will be a natural stain , and the frame of the pergola will be matte semi-transparent black.
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Allow the stain to dry thoroughly, probably 24-72 hours depending on your climate, temperature, and humidity.
How To Restain A Deck Or Pergola
Once your deck or pergola has been exposed to the weather for a while, you will notice that the colour starts to fade, the grain becomes washed out and the timber wont look as good as it once did. When that happens, its time to re-stain. With most stains this will be required either once a year, or once every two years. To ensure the stain goes on evenly, it’s important that you first give your deck or pergola a good clean.
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