Even though Floridian summers are intense with heat and humidity, early mornings are still a great time to tackle some outdoor projects. If you have a wooden surface, such as a fence, deck, siding, trim, or lawn furniture, you may wonder whether to stain, prime, or paint it. Today, our team at Supershade South in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, discusses the benefits of both types of applications and introduces one of our best primers: Woodluxe® Exterior Primer.

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When You Should Use Stain or Prime and Paint for Exterior Wood Surfaces

Before you begin any home improvement project, it’s vital to consider your options. One job that offers up several different ways to go is an exterior painting project. Whether you’re looking to coat your new deck or freshen up trim and other accents, choosing the right product for your job is our passion!

At Supershade South, we’re your local Benjamin Moore paint and stain experts, and for over 20 years, we’ve been standing by to help Florida DIYers and home improvement pros with their exterior and interior painting projects—big and small.

Read on to see if stain, primer, and paint work best for your project.

Stain Provides the Wonder of Opacity

Exterior stains are excellent for bringing out the rich grains of wood. They are thinner and more absorbent than paint, so they apply more easily.

Stain is less expensive than paint, so stain is the better choice if you are painting a large surface, such as wood siding on your home or a fence or decking. Applying stain is a one-step process because you do not need to prime.

Exterior wood surfaces like decks that see a lot of action need routine touch-ups, and stain is the best option for maintenance.

Benefits of Ben Moore Exterior Stain Woodluxe®

Benjamin Moore Woodluxe Waterproof Stain & Sealer offers a variety of opacities from translucent stain for a more natural aesthetic to flat and opaque solid stains for your wood surface. With oil and water-based formulations that resist chips, flakes, and cracks, for many surfaces, stain is a better option than paint.

Oil-Based Exterior Stains

Oil-based Woodluxe® is a penetrating oil that enhances the wood with a classic oil finish. It requires only one coat and will minimize lap marks. This remarkable primer uses an alkyd/linseed oil resin for intense penetration and durability. Its translucent finish makes it an excellent choice for hardwoods like mahogany and oak. We offer our oil-based primer in three opacities: Translucent, Semi-Transparent, and Semi-Solid.

Water-Based Exterior Stains

Water-based Woodluxe® offers easy application and easily recoats with minimal prep. It cleans up easily with soap and water and also dries quickly. Because it has minimal film buildup, it reduces the risk of cracking and peeling. This practical primer boasts a gorgeous, uniform finish that camouflages imperfections. We offer our water-based primer in five various opacities: translucent, semi-transparent, semi-solid, solid, and ultra-flat solid.

Paint for that Pop of Color

Exterior paint combined with a pore-filling primer are perfect for adding a dimension of color to any exterior wood surface, much like a solid stain but with even more opacity. Paint is more expensive, but the results can be artistic and long-lasting with different levels of flatness or sheen to accent specific areas of your home. Paint is more difficult to apply than stain because it is a thicker substance, and for most projects, it requires primer for a smooth and durable application.

Flat or matte paint hides unsightly blemishes better than stain and glossy paint and can transform any wood surface. Whether you are upscaling the intricate details of a Spanish Modern exterior or a Victorian vintage garden bench, paint will give you all the color options you need to make the surface come alive with personality.

Try Our Best Exterior Paint Options from Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore® uses next-generation technology for paints in a gorgeous palette of neutrals and bold colors. Learn more about some of our favorite exterior paint options, Regal® Select and Aura Exterior Paint.

We are proud to carry paint in over 3000 different hues for whatever wood surface you are upgrading. You can explore our intuitive Color Catalogue, categorizing paint and stain colors by families, trends, and collections.

So Should I Choose Paint or Stain for My Exterior Painting Project?

Paint and stain both have pros and cons for any project.

"I just built a new fence and want to keep that beautiful wood look."

Our Advice: A transparent or semi-transparent oil-based stain is perfect for fencing or decking. It will soak right in, protect the wood from UV damage and water, and keep it from turning gray. It's exactly what that raw wood needs.

“The paint on my home is looking faded and worn.”

Our Advice: Siding is a classic case for paint. You need a product that protects the vinyl or wood siding but also allows it to breathe to prevent moisture issues.

"I have textured plywood siding. Paint always seems to peel on it."

Our Advice: You've hit on a common problem. The imperfect surface textures in plywood are traps for moisture, which gets behind paint and causes it to fail. Switching to a bonding primer and exterior paint or a heavy-bodied semi-transparent stain can be a great solution for better wear without peeling.

Visit us for Benjamin Moore Paint, Primer, and Stain

Supershade South carries the complete line of Benjamin Moore paints, primers, stains, and everything else you need to complete your home improvement project like a pro—including Hunter Douglas window coverings.

Please call us at (954) 455-1965 or fill out our online contact form, and one of our expert team members will help you find a paint style and color to satisfy your design.

For more visual inspiration on how our interior solutions can bring a room to life, please peruse our online portfolio, where you can view pictures of completed projects.

We proudly serve the Greater Ft Lauderdale Area, including Boca Raton, Hollywood, Plantation, Pompano, Lighthouse Point, Lauderdale by the Sea, and Victoria Park, Florida.