Semi-transparent stains are decent, sure, but honestly, I've found high-quality exterior paints hold up better in the long run—especially if you prep properly. I redid my windows about six years ago with a solid primer and good paint, and they're still looking sharp. No peeling yet. Maybe it's just luck or climate differences, but I'd rather invest a bit more upfront and not have to redo it every few years...
I've had mixed results myself. Painted my porch windows about 8 years ago—did all the sanding, priming, the whole nine yards—and they're still holding up great. But my shed windows, stained around the same time, needed redoing after just 4 years. Could be exposure differences, but paint seems more forgiving overall.
I've noticed similar results myself—paint does seem to hold up better overall, especially if you prep it thoroughly. Curious though, did your shed windows get more direct sun or moisture exposure? Those factors can really speed up stain deterioration...
"Curious though, did your shed windows get more direct sun or moisture exposure? Those factors can really speed up stain deterioration..."
That's a good point—exposure definitely matters. I've had mixed experiences myself. Our front windows are painted and face south, getting blasted with sunlight all day, yet they've held up surprisingly well for years. Meanwhile, the back porch windows we stained started looking rough after just a couple of winters, probably due to moisture buildup and lack of direct sun to dry them out quickly.
I'm skeptical about stain durability overall, but to be fair, maybe I didn't prep as thoroughly as I should've. Did you use any special sealant or prep steps before staining? I've heard some folks swear by certain products that supposedly extend stain life significantly...but I'm still not entirely convinced. Either way, sounds like you've got a good handle on things—good luck with whatever you decide.
"I'm skeptical about stain durability overall, but to be fair, maybe I didn't prep as thoroughly as I should've."
Agreed—prep is critical. I've found that stains can perform quite well if the wood is properly sanded, cleaned, and sealed beforehand. Moisture definitely accelerates deterioration, especially in shaded areas where drying is slow. Paint generally offers better protection against moisture intrusion, but a high-quality stain with a UV-resistant topcoat can hold up surprisingly well if applied correctly...though admittedly, it requires more frequent maintenance.
I've had pretty good luck with stains myself, but yeah, prep makes or breaks it. Last summer I rushed sanding one window frame and it's already looking rough...lesson learned. Wonder if anyone's noticed certain stain brands holding up better long-term?
"I've had pretty good luck with stains myself, but yeah, prep makes or breaks it. Last summer I rushed sanding one window frame and it's already looking rough...lesson learned."
Totally agree on the prep part—it's crucial—but honestly, I've found paint to hold up better long-term on exterior wood windows. Stain looks great initially, no doubt, but even with meticulous prep and top-notch brands, I've noticed it tends to fade unevenly or wear thin faster than paint, especially in areas exposed to direct sunlight or harsh weather.
A few years back, I stained a set of south-facing windows using a premium brand (won't name-drop here), did everything by the book—sanded thoroughly, applied multiple coats, sealed properly—and still ended up redoing them sooner than expected. Switched to a high-quality exterior paint afterward, and they've held up noticeably better. Paint just seems more forgiving when it comes to UV exposure and moisture resistance.
Not knocking stain entirely; it definitely has its place aesthetically. But if durability and lower maintenance are priorities for you (like they are for me), I'd lean toward paint. Plus, from an energy efficiency standpoint—which I'm admittedly a bit obsessed with—paint can offer slightly better protection against moisture infiltration and wood deterioration over time.
Just my two cents based on personal experience...your mileage may vary depending on climate and exposure.
Yeah, prep is definitely key—I learned that the hard way too. A couple years ago, I got lazy sanding my porch railing (figured "eh, close enough") and ended up with peeling paint within months. Lesson painfully learned, lol.
But on the stain vs. paint debate, I'm kinda torn. I agree paint holds up better overall, especially in harsher climates or direct sun. My west-facing windows took a beating when stained—faded unevenly and looked patchy after just a couple seasons. Switched to paint and they've been solid ever since.
Still...I can't deny how good stain looks when it's fresh. There's something about seeing that wood grain showing through that's just satisfying. If you're okay with more frequent touch-ups and maintenance, stain can be worth it for the aesthetics alone.
Guess it comes down to how much you hate sanding and refinishing every few years...personally, I'll take durability over beauty any day of the week.
- Had similar issues with stain on my south-facing windows—looked amazing at first, but faded unevenly after just two summers.
- Switched to a quality exterior paint (after proper sanding and priming this time...) and haven't had to touch them in 5+ years.
- Agree stain looks great initially, but personally, I'd rather spend weekends grilling than refinishing windows every other year.
"Agree stain looks great initially, but personally, I'd rather spend weekends grilling than refinishing windows every other year."
Haha, totally feel you on that. I went the stain route once—looked fantastic for about a year, then turned into a patchy mess. Ended up sanding it all down (fun weekend, lemme tell ya...), priming properly this time, and painting with a solid exterior paint. Been three years now and still looks solid. Lesson learned: grilling burgers beats sanding windows any day.