When transforming your outdoor deck, interior walls, or masonry surfaces, the go-to coatings are paint or stain. As someone who has rolled, brushed, and sprayed both across countless projects, I’ve discovered that each offers distinct advantages depending on your vision.
Want vibrant colors? Paint is super versatile. But for those who appreciate the subtle grain and organic character of wood or concrete, stain allows these natural qualities to shine through while adding rich depth and protection.
Let me guide you through choosing the perfect finish for your next project
| Qualities | Stain | Paint |
| Composition | Penetrates the surface because it contains more solvent than pigment and binder | Contains more binder, so it forms a layer over the surface. |
| Ease of application | Easier to apply | Requires priming and more coats for proper adhesion |
| Appearance | Allows the natural grain of a surface to remain visible | Creates a layer over the surface, so it mostly hides natural grain |
| Durability | Doesn’t last as long as paint on wood surfaces, but it’s more durable on concrete and brick | Less durable except when used on wood |
| Maintenance | Doesn’t chip, peel, or crack, and is easier to touch up | Can chip or crack and requires sanding and priming for touch-ups |
| Best uses | Porous surfaces like wood, concrete, and brick | All surfaces |
Composition
Paint and stain contain the same basic ingredients: pigment, binder, and solvent. However, stain is thinner and contains more solvent than pigment or binder, while paint contains more binder.
The solvent acts as a carrier and helps the stain penetrate the surface. The binder in paint helps it form a durable film that adheres to the surface.
Since stain needs to be absorbed into the surface, you can only use it on porous surfaces like wood, concrete, and brick.
Ease of Application
It’s easier to stain than paint because staining usually requires one coat. Even if you’re staining two coats for added durability, the prep work required is much less compared to painting.
Painting requires priming and more coats for proper adhesion. Since paint is thicker and sits on top of the surface, any imperfections like drips or brush streaks are more noticeable.
If you’ve already painted a surface and want to stain it, you’ll need to strip off all the paint and sand it down to bare material. However, if you want to paint over a stained surface, all you need to do is sand and prime.
Appearance
Surfaces are rough or smooth or somewhere in between; that is the texture and it can be both seen and felt. Wood also has a grain, which is the direction that the wood fibers go. So how do stain and paint react to both?
A transparent stain allows the natural grain and texture of a surface to remain visible, while a solid stain mostly hides the grain but may allow the texture to remain visible.
Paint creates a uniform layer of color over the surface that hides its natural grain and mutes or completely hides texture. It comes in matte, satin, eggshell, and gloss finishes, so you can choose one based on your preference. Paint also comes in various colors. Stain comes in various shades but the options are more limited than paint.
Durability
Stain doesn’t last as long as paint on wood surfaces. Wood expands and contracts with temperature changes, which causes the stain to wear off more quickly. Even if you choose a solid stain, its lifespan is usually less than half that of paint, especially in areas with harsh weather conditions.
However, concrete and brick stains usually outlast paint because they get absorbed deeply and become part of the surface. Paint sits on top of the surface, so it’s prone to peeling, chipping, and cracking from moisture and UV rays.
Maintenance
Stain doesn’t chip, peel, or crack like paint because it gets absorbed into the surface instead of forming a layer on top. You can also touch up minor scratches, scuff marks, and other imperfections more easily so they blend in with the existing finish.
Paint isn’t as easy to touch up as stain when it chips or cracks. You’ll need to sand and prime the surface for proper adhesion. However, if you prep the surface properly and use the right techniques for painting, it won’t peel or crack as easily.
Best Uses
You can only use stain on porous surfaces like wood, concrete, and brick. For non-porous surfaces like metal and vinyl, as well as for plaster and walls, paint is your only option.
Here’s how to decide whether to paint or stain wood, concrete, and brick surfaces:
Wood
Stain: Stain is great for showing off the natural beauty of your wooden deck or furniture. I have used both paint and stain on my wooden doors. Paint was more durable, but I preferred the natural look of stain.
Paint: It’s a better choice for surfaces constantly exposed to moisture and UV rays, like fences and siding. There are also many color options and finishes to choose from.
Concrete
Stain: It’s more durable and prevents moisture buildup because it penetrates into the surface instead of forming a layer on top. You can choose between acid or mineral stains, with the latter available in various colors and textures. For more information, check out our article on how to stain concrete.
Paint: Painting conceals the concrete’s natural texture, and there’s a higher chance it’ll chip or peel over time. You can choose paint if you want a bold and uniform look.
Brick
Stain: Staining is a better choice for brick. It’s more durable, breathable, and enhances the natural beauty. Check out our article on how to stain brick for more information.
Paint: Don’t paint your brick unless you want to hide imperfections, as it masks the natural appearance.
Stain vs. Paint: Which Is Better?
If you want to enhance the natural beauty of a surface, stain is a better choice. It’s also more durable when used on concrete and brick. Paint is ideal for walls and non-porous surfaces like metal and vinyl.
Painting and staining can both be tiring and time-consuming. Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled painting services and leave the rest to us.
Main Image Credits:
Stain: encierro / Adobe Stock Free / License
Paint: ungvar / Adobe Stock Free / License
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