Wood stains help boost home value before resale, so fixer-uppers benefit greatly from a fresh coat of this special paint. Wood stains can immediately transform aging surfaces into restored areas that look brand new, including decks, floors, and furniture. To help you find the right wood stain to transform properties that are up for sale, we’ve gone ahead and compiled a list of the most effective products here.
Depending on your original wood’s appearance and condition, choose from solid, semi-transparent, or clear-coat stains. Solid stains last the longest, with a life expectancy of up to five years before reapplication. However, a separate clear finish coat is ideal for protecting your wood from scratches, water damage, and discoloration.
Another important factor is the actual color of your stain, which varies from light oak to dark walnut. This decision depends on how light or dark your existing wood is and whether or not you need to remove an existing stain. Check out our lineup to discover your choices.
Minwax PolyShades
Best Protection
The Minwax PolyShades stain is a light, classic oak color in a satin finish. It comes in one quart, which is the ideal amount for many indoor surfaces like floors, walls, and trims. You can safely apply this stain over an existing polyurethane finish to skip an extra step.
Varathane Premium Fast-Dry Wood Stain
Best Coverage
The Varathane wood stain provides the best coverage for furniture and paneling with one single coat. Its oil-based formula allows for a quick one-hour dry time to cut painting time significantly. This half-pint container covers about 70 square feet.
Minwax Gel Stain
Best for Vertical Surfaces
The Minwax stain is a gel-style formula best for avoiding drips when painting vertical surfaces. Its thick consistency is suitable for slick surfaces like fiberglass or metal, giving these materials a dark, coffee-shade stain. When applying more than one coat, let each layer dry for at least eight hours.
Wood stains increase property and product value through a classy shine that also provides protection from water damage and discoloration. Improve doors, trims, panels, molding, and floors — before listing them on the market — using different wood stain colors ranging from classic oak to rich coffee. Try one of the wood floor stains on our list to restore not just walking surfaces but any wood, fiberglass, or metal details in a home.
