Wood brings a stylish, eco-friendly touch to the outside of a home. This is why wooden decking, garden furniture and cladding are increasingly popular around residential properties. However, outdoor wood is exposed to everyday wear and tear, such as swimming pool chlorine, stains and abrasion, as well as weather conditions including the sun’s UV rays, rain, hail and snow. Effective protection is therefore essential to improve the wood’s resistance to these factors.
There are many products designed to protect outdoor wood. These include three types of products, each with its own distinctive characteristics: wood stains, wood saturators and oils.
But how do you find your way through this wide range of products, each claiming exceptional properties?
In this guide, we explain the characteristics of each type in detail, look at their advantages and disadvantages, and share our professional wood care advice on which product to choose for your surface.
Wood Stains
Wood stains are transparent, film-forming finishes: they create a protective film on the surface while keeping the natural wood grain visible. Microporous exterior wood stains, such as LBE600 Exterior Wood Stain, allow the wood to breathe and accommodate its natural expansion and contraction. Available in tinted or clear versions, they provide effective protection against rain; outdoors, choose a tinted version for better UV protection. Several coats are needed to achieve lasting protection. On vertical surfaces, wood stain is the preferred option if you are looking for long-lasting protection and a wood stain finish. How long the protection lasts depends on the product, the preparation of the wood and its exposure.
Recommended Uses
Wood stain is suitable for vertical surfaces such as shutters, cladding and gates. On these surfaces, choose LBE600 if your priority is long-lasting protection and a wood stain finish, or a wood saturator if you prefer a natural appearance and easy maintenance. Wood stain is not recommended for horizontal wooden surfaces such as decking or outdoor stair treads, as moisture and foot traffic may cause the protective film to deteriorate prematurely. For these surfaces, choose a suitable wood saturator.
Composition
Most wood stains currently available in DIY stores are water-based. They contain acrylic or sometimes polyurethane resins, which form the binder, along with pigments and additives that provide a suitable consistency for application and protection against the growth of microorganisms. Solvent-based wood stains are also still available; they have a strong odour and are flammable, but are recognised for their effectiveness.
Appearance
Wood stains provide a matt, satin or even gloss finish. Their advantage is that they keep the wood grain visible, even with tinted products. The surface feels smoother because a protective film is deposited on it: this is the characteristic wood stain finish, which you can choose according to your preferred appearance.
Application
Wood stain is generally applied in several coats to form a durable protective film. It is important to follow the instructions on the container, particularly regarding surface preparation, the number of coats and drying times between coats.
Maintenance
Maintenance is generally required less often than with a wood saturator, but it involves more preparation. As wood stain forms a film, light sanding or more thorough sanding may be needed before refinishing. If the film is peeling or damaged, more extensive sanding or stripping will be necessary to restore a sound surface.
Wood stains are therefore a good solution for extending maintenance intervals on vertical woodwork, provided you are prepared for more demanding preparation when refinishing.
Wood Saturators
Unlike wood stains, wood saturators are non-film-forming protective products, meaning they do not create a film on the surface. They penetrate and nourish the wood deeply until it reaches saturation. Also available in tinted or clear versions, wood saturators fully preserve the look and feel of wood. Their fast drying time and ease of application and maintenance make them popular products for outdoor wood care. Wood saturators can be applied to all types of outdoor woodwork: decking, cladding, garden furniture, shutters, pergolas and more.
Recommended Uses
Wood saturators are non-film-forming and suitable for both horizontal and vertical outdoor surfaces, provided you choose a product suited to the surface. For decking or a horizontal surface, choose a wood saturator. For cladding, shutters or a gate, choose one if your priority is to preserve the natural look and feel of wood with easy maintenance; choose LBE600 if you are looking for long-lasting protection and a wood stain finish.
Composition
Wood saturators are water-based products. They contain a synthetic resin (acrylic or alkyd) or a semi-synthetic resin (an alkyd that may be partly plant-derived), which penetrates the wood easily and dries quickly. Pigments provide UV protection, while additives make application easier.
Appearance
While wood stains provide a matt, satin or gloss finish depending on the product, wood saturators preserve the matt appearance and natural feel of wood. Depending on the product’s tint, the original wood colour will be preserved or enhanced, giving attractive results on softwood cladding or tropical hardwood decking, for example.
Application
Applying a wood saturator is very straightforward. Anova Bois wood saturators are applied in a single coat on a suitable surface, using a brush or roller, to clean, dry, dust-free wood. A second coat may be necessary on highly absorbent wood, depending on the product instructions. The number of coats and application method depend on the formulation and the absorbency of the wood. For advice on applying a wood saturator, see our guide How to maintain wooden decking.
Maintenance
A wood saturator is the easiest protective finish to maintain because it does not form a film. There is no need to sand or strip the surface before applying a maintenance coat. Simply cleaning the surface, or using a wood brightener if the wood has turned grey, is enough before applying a fresh protective coat.
Maintenance is still required more frequently than with wood stain: approximately every 1 to 2 years for horizontal surfaces and every 2 to 5 years for vertical surfaces when using a good-quality wood saturator.
Wood Stain or Wood Saturator: Which Should You Choose for Your Surface?
- Decking and horizontal surfaces: choose a suitable wood saturator. It penetrates the wood without forming a surface film and makes maintenance easier.
- Cladding, shutters and gates: choose a wood saturator if your priorities are a natural appearance, the feel of wood and easy maintenance, with no coating film to sand off.
- Cladding, shutters and gates: choose LBE600 Exterior Wood Stain if your priorities are long-lasting protection and a wood stain finish. Its microporous film allows the wood to breathe; maintenance is needed less often, but refinishing may require sanding depending on the condition of the film.
The Wood Saturators We Recommend
Exotic Wood Saturator SBE600 Matt, Colourless or Tinted- Wood Terrace
Siding Saturator SB600 - Douglas, Larch, Red Cedar & Other Woods
Wood Oils
Like saturators, oils also work by penetrating the wood. These are known as saturating oils. These two types of products are similar in terms of their finish and application method. The main difference lies in their composition, with products marketed as "oils" generally containing a higher proportion of plant-based ingredients. Choosing an oil can therefore be a good option when looking for the most environmentally friendly product possible. However, caution is advised, as claims such as "eco-friendly" or "natural" can sometimes be misleading. It is important to read the product's composition carefully.
Recommended Use
Like saturators, oils penetrate the wood and do not form a film on the surface. They are non-film-forming. They can therefore be applied to all types of exterior surfaces, both vertical and horizontal.
Composition
Wood protection products described as “oils” are mainly composed of an oil or a blend of vegetable oils (linseed, soybean, tung oil, etc.). Pigments help improve UV protection for exterior applications. A drying agent is often added to speed up drying. Depending on the formulation, biocidal additives may also be included to protect the product against microbiological attack. The plant-based origin of an oil is therefore not enough on its own to determine the environmental profile of the finished product.
Traditional linseed oil, or a linseed oil/turpentine mixture, can deteriorate and darken quickly outdoors depending on exposure. For long-lasting protection of your exterior woodwork, choose a product specifically formulated for exterior wood.
Appearance
Oils have the distinctive feature of creating a “wet” or “oiled” effect, slightly darkening the wood to enhance its grain. This effect is often sought after to “warm up” the tone of the wood and generally produces an attractive result. The wood usually retains a matt appearance after the protective oil has been applied.
Application
The application method is similar to that of a wood saturator, except that some oils must be wiped after each coat. Wiping adds an extra step to the application process, particularly on large surfaces. Follow the number of coats and application instructions specified by the manufacturer.
Be careful with oil-soaked cloths, as they can spontaneously combust: never leave them crumpled up or piled together. Follow the safety and disposal instructions provided with the product.
Maintenance
Primarily based on vegetable oils, protective oils may require frequent maintenance outdoors, particularly on horizontal surfaces exposed to rain and foot traffic. Depending on the formulation and exposure conditions, darkening may also occur and require appropriate cleaning.
Maintenance frequency depends on the product, the wood species and its exposure. Monitor the appearance of the surface and renew the protection according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Wood Saturators, Oils or Wood Stains: Which Should You Choose?
Of the three types of products discussed in this article, wood stain forms a protective film on the surface, while penetrating oils and wood saturators penetrate the wood without forming a film. The right choice depends primarily on the surface, the desired appearance and your preferred maintenance requirements. For a deck or horizontal surface, choose a suitable wood saturator. For cladding, shutters or gates, wood saturators and wood stains meet different priorities.
On smaller screens, scroll horizontally through the table to compare the products.
| Selection Criteria | Wood Saturator Natural appearance and easy maintenance | Wood Stain Long-lasting protection and stained finish | Oil Oiled appearance and warmer tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action on the wood | Non-film-forming. Penetrates the wood without creating a film on the surface. |
Protective film on the surface. A microporous wood stain such as LBE600 allows the wood to breathe and accommodates its dimensional movement. |
Penetrating protection. Non-film-forming oils penetrate the wood. Performance depends on the formulation. |
| Composition | Water-based for Anova Bois wood saturators. Other formulations are available depending on the manufacturer. | Water- or solvent-based, depending on the product. | Vegetable oils, either water-emulsified or combined with solvents and additives depending on the product. |
| Appearance | Natural appearance and feel of the wood. Generally a matt finish, clear or tinted depending on the product. |
Stained finish with visible wood grain. Matt, satin or gloss; clear or tinted depending on the product. |
Oiled or “wet” effect. Generally warms and darkens the colour of the wood. |
| Application | Brush or roller. One-coat application on a suitable surface for Anova Bois wood saturators, depending on the technical data sheet and the wood's absorption. |
Suitable brush or roller. Several coats, following the required preparation and drying times for the product. |
Brush, roller or cloth depending on the product. One or more coats, with excess product wiped off when specified. |
| Decks and horizontal surfaces | The preferred choice. Select a wood saturator suitable for the wood species and intended use. |
Not recommended. Exterior wood stain is intended for vertical woodwork and is not suitable for surfaces subject to foot traffic. |
Possible with an oil specifically formulated for this use, taking its maintenance requirements into account. |
| Cladding, shutters and gates | Choose this option for a natural appearance and easy maintenance. | Choose LBE600 for long-lasting protection and a stained finish. | Worth considering if an oiled appearance is desired and the product is suitable for the surface. |
| Maintenance frequency | Generally more frequent than wood stain on vertical woodwork, but maintenance is straightforward. | Maintenance is generally less frequent on vertical surfaces, depending on exposure and the condition of the protective film. | Regular maintenance, which may be frequent on exposed horizontal surfaces. |
| Preparation before maintenance | Cleaning, with no film to sand. Greyed wood may need to be restored with a wood brightener. |
More demanding preparation. Light sanding or sanding depending on the condition of the film; stripping may be required if the finish is severely deteriorated. |
Appropriate cleaning followed by a new application according to the recommendations. Wiping may be required. |
| Key takeaway | For horizontal or vertical surfaces, when a natural appearance and easy maintenance are the priorities. | For vertical surfaces, when long-lasting protection and a stained finish are the priorities. | For an oiled appearance, with application and maintenance suited to the chosen formulation. |
Durability and maintenance frequency vary depending on surface preparation, wood species, exposure and the product used. Refer to the product's technical data sheet. Outdoors, a tinted finish is generally recommended to provide greater protection against UV rays.
Our Advice
Decks and horizontal surfaces: choose a suitable wood saturator that penetrates the wood without forming a film and allows for easy maintenance.
Cladding, shutters and gates: choose a wood saturator if your priority is a natural appearance and easy maintenance; choose LBE600 Exterior Wood Stain if you are looking for long-lasting protection and a stained finish.
To preserve the natural appearance and feel of the wood, a wood saturator is particularly suitable. As it is non-film-forming, the protection can be renewed after appropriate cleaning without having to sand away an old finishing film.
For vertical woodwork, LBE600 provides another solution: its microporous protective film allows the wood to breathe while providing a stained finish. It generally allows maintenance intervals to be extended, although renovation requires more thorough preparation, with sanding required depending on the condition of the film.
Oil can be chosen if you are looking for an oiled effect that warms the colour of the wood. However, check the wiping instructions and maintenance frequency of the selected product. Its environmental profile depends on the complete formulation, not simply on the presence of vegetable oils or water.
If you choose a wood saturator, select a product suited to your surface. For pressure-treated wood, we recommend the SBA600 Pressure-Treated Wood Saturator. For exotic wood, we recommend applying the SBE600 Exotic Wood Saturator. Depending on the wood species and the project, you can also choose the SB600 Cladding Saturator, the ST600 Decking Saturator or the SJ600 Garden Furniture Saturator.
You can contact us on +33 9 72 56 20 01 or by email at contact@anovabois.com. Our team of specialists will be happy to help you choose the right protection for your wood and your priorities.
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