QA

How To Stain A Pergola

For solid stains, apply two thin coats of deck stain with a brush, roller, or paint pad. ​To avoid lap marks, apply to a few boards at a time, keeping a wet edge. For best results, backbrush into the surface to work finish into the wood and ensure the coating is even.

Should a pergola be painted or stained?

Is it Better to Paint or Stain a Deck, Fence, Gazebo etc? There are some stains that do protect against UV damage. However, in comparison, paint is still superior in its protection. Both stain and paint will protect the wood from most forms of moisture.

What do you use to stain a pergola?

While there are many brands and types of wood stain, Cabot is an excellent choice available at most hardware stores. You’ll need to choose between semi-solid and solid stain. Essentially, solid stain gives an opaque look that resembles paint.

How do you prepare pergola for staining?

Steps for Staining and Sealing Wood Pergolas Make 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.

How much does it cost to stain a pergola?

Your budget for staining a pergola should be between $1,000 and $4,000. The higher cost is due to the number of ornamentations and elevation, making access difficult and increasing the time it takes to get done.

How long will a pergola last?

With limited maintenance, expect a wood pergola to last about five years. You can improve its lifespan to 10 to 12 years with annual cleaning, staining or sealing.

How do you seal a wooden 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.

What kind of paint do you use on a pergola?

When it comes to selecting the type of paint for a pergola, acrylic paint is the best as it is weather resistant and lasting. The best time to apply the oil based paint is during the driest seasons when the humidity is very low.

Is Douglas fir good for pergola?

Douglas fir wood pergolas are better at withstanding strong gusts of winds, thunderstorms, and earthquakes.

Can you use decking oil on pergola?

3 of the Best Selling Decking Oils Reduces the risk of timber cracking, splitting and warping. Suitable for both softwood and hardwood decking, sheds, fences & pergolas.

Can you stain pressure treated wood?

Kiln-dried wood will be dry at purchase and can be stained immediately. Pressure treated wood that contains a water repellant will not absorb a water-based stain as well as an oil-based exterior stain. To determine if pressure treated wood is dry enough to stain, try the “sprinkle” test.

What is the best wood to use for a pergola?

Western Red Cedar and Redwood are the two most commonly used woods for pergolas, aside from pressure-treated wood. Western Red Cedar (WRC) and Redwood are both naturally stunning woods and often lumped together.

How do you restore a pergola?

In order to restore this pergola, I would suggest sanding the timber back to a solid-state and removing the greyed deteriorated surface of it. You can then either paint to protect it or apply an exterior oil and you might like to consider one which comes with a stain included.

How many coats of stain should I apply?

2 coats. To deepen the color, apply a third coat. Optional, for additional luster or sheen a clear protective finish can be applied. Recommended finishes include Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane or Minwax® Wipe-On Poly.

Can you put Thompson’s Water Seal over a stain?

Yes, you can put Thompson water sealer over stained wood whether the stain is water or oil-based. If the stain has completely dried and cured it’s fine to apply sealer, but if there is still some moisture, applying the water seal over the stain might cause problems.

How much does a gallon of stain cost?

A gallon of stain costs $20 to $50, which covers 200 to 300 square feet.

Does a pergola add value to your home?

Here’s what we tell our customers: yes, a pergola will add market value to any house. Since outdoor living has become more popular than ever, the value of properties with a pergola or a comfortable outdoor space has been on the rise. A safe gauge for a deck or backyard improvement is about 50% — 80% for your ROI.

Are pergolas worth it?

A pergola extends your living space and increases the amount of time you can spend outside. Designed and oriented correctly on your lot, a pergola can cast enough light shade to make even a warm afternoon enjoyable or if you still need additional protection, you can install a retractable shade cover for more shade.

What is a good height for a pergola?

The standard pergola height is 8 to 12 feet. But that doesn’t always have to be the case. For example, if you want an 8-foot head clearance, the beams will take it up to 9 feet at least, and then the rafters will total 10-feet easy.