Things You'll Need:
- Siding or wood sample
- Stain sample swatches
- Test quart of stain
- Paint brush
-
Step 1
Assess your siding. If the wood is new, your options are wide open and you can choose virtually any color or type of stain. If it was previously stained or the wood is weathered and discolored, this may affect the final appearance. You cannot use stain over painted wood; if your house is painted, it cannot be stained without the the labor intensive task of first removing all the existing paint.
-
Step 2
The final color of semi-transparent stain will depend on the appearance of the existing surface, since it's designed to show the underlying wood grain and color. Solid stains are more opaque and will cover the existing wood color, so you may choose almost any shade of stain. With semi-transparent stain, you need to stay close to the existing color or choose a darker color. Putting a light semi-transparent stain over dark wood results in a muddy, uneven finish.
-
Step 3
Test your chosen color. The color on the paint chip is an approximate sample of the stain over a new piece of wood (usually pine or cedar.) Find a piece of wood that is roughly the same type and color as your house exterior. Buy a test quart of stain, apply it to the wood and let it dry. This is the only way you can see just how it will look on your house.
-
Step 4
Consider other architectural elements on your home's exterior when choosing stain color. The stain you choose should complement your roof, trim, brick or masonry and fencing.
-
Step 5
Don't be constrained by the colors on the stain swatches. Stains can be custom-blended at the paint store. If you want to match something like existing fencing or decking, bring in either the stain from that job or a piece of the stained wood, along with a wood sample close to your existing house color, and have the paint store match it.
