Both staining and painting are also effective ways of protecting your arbor from pests. The protective finish will not make the structure indestructible but it will prolong its life.
Some might argue that the arbor will look better if finished, though others contend red cedar wood, which is a popular choice for arbors, looks its best when it bleaches naturally.
Ultimately, though, we all want to get the best value for our money. And a good looking arbor with a long lifespan is the best return we can hope for. But what between painting and staining an arbor gets us that is the question we want to answer:
Let’s clear up the confusion:
But not all stains will give you the level of moisture and sun protection that you can get with paint. Clear stains, which you may prefer for their ability to preserve the wood’s natural appearance are certainly not the most waterproof. Solid stains are less water absorbent and will give you better UV protection.
Aesthetically speaking, painting your arbor will give you more options to decorate your arbor. There is a greater variety of colors to choose from when you choose to paint your arbor.
Of course, stains also come in the brighter, pastel colors, but the finish isn’t the same as when you paint. So, if you are an aesthete, you may prefer to paint your arbor for the simple reason it gets you the color you want.
While paint sacrifices the grain of the wood for better waterproofing, that it is thicker means it works better for filling cracks and sealing the wood, which stops it from absorbing water.
But a reason why you may not want to paint your arbor is that painted wood is difficult to refinish. Once it starts to crack and peel, you can’t simply paint over it. You have to scrape off all the paint before repainting. Stains tend to fade off and can be reapplied with minimal preparation of the wood.
If cost is a concern, staining will be the cheaper option. But whatever finish you choose, make sure the paint or stain is environmentally safe. There are green options now available for both. And to protect our forests, consider recycled wood over freshly sawn wood. The more trees we have, the cleaner our air is.
An arbor will make a great focal point for your garden. What ideas do you have for it?
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