Can You Stain Pressure-Treated Wood? Here’s What to Know

Pressure-treated wood is durable, but not perfect. Over time, water and exposure to the elements can damage it. You may be wondering: can you stain pressure-treated wood? For the most part, you can, but it's important to get the timing right. Doing so can help protect it and extend its life. Here’s what you should know about staining your home’s pressure-treated wood.

When Can You Stain Pressure-Treated Wood?

When you can stain pressure-treated wood depends largely on the type of wood you're using. Often, new pressure-treated wood contains too much moisture to be stained right away.

However, kiln-dried or air-dried wood is specially dried after its chemical treatment and is often ready to stain right away. If the wood you're using is kiln-dried, it will have a tag or stamp that reads "KDAT." Air-dried wood should be marked with "ADAT."

Don't see either label on the wood? Then it's best to wait before staining so that the moisture has time to evaporate. The drying time can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

How to Tell if Pressure-Treated Wood Is Ready to Stain

A simple test will help you know if non-dried pressure-treated wood is ready for staining. Sprinkle a small amount of water onto the wood. If the wood is sufficiently dry, it will absorb the water instantly. If there's still a lot of moisture in the water, the water will form beads on the surface.

Which Stain to Use?

When choosing a stain, you have two main options: water-based or oil-based. Both have benefits and drawbacks. Oil-based stains tend to last longer, as they penetrate deeper into the wood. Their downside is that they can be more challenging to clean up.

Water-based stains won't sink as deeply into the wood, but cleaning up afterward is a lot easier, as you can use soap and water.

A hybrid stain is a best-of-both-worlds option. It cleans up easily with soap and water yet penetrates into the wood like an oil-based stain.

Beyond water or oil-based, other things to consider when choosing a stain include:

• Opacity: A stain may be transparent, semi-transparent, or solid-colored.

• Additives: Some stains contain water repellents or UV stabilizers, which can help to extend their usefulness. 

Preparing Pressure-Treated Wood for Staining

You'll most likely need to do some prep work before staining pressure-treated wood, particularly if the wood is older. Clean wood will accept the stain much more efficiently than wood that has a coating of dust and debris or mildew or mold growth.

Before you stain, give the wood a good scrubbing to remove any surface dirt. You may also want to use a deck cleaner to remove any deeper dirt or even a power washer for a more thorough cleaning. If you use a power washer, be sure to choose the correct setting.

After cleaning the wood, allow it to dry before you stain. Don't worry, you won't have to wait weeks or months this time.

Staining vs. Painting Pressure-Treated Wood

You can paint pressure-treated wood, rather than stain it. It all depends on your preference, but paint offers some benefits over stain. For one thing, paint tends to last longer than wood stain. It may also be more effective at protecting the wood from the elements.

You also have more choice when it comes to paint, compared to stain. Stain can be ideal if you want the wood's natural grain and color to show through. But if you're looking for something brighter or more colorful, paint can be the way to go.

A local deck painter can help you decide if paint or stain is right for you.