There’s no substitute for the richness of stained wood, but as both amateur and professional woodworkers know, the process can be particularly intricate due to the varied properties of different types of timber. 

The substrate of wood simply refers to the layers of its surface. Timber will have a range of different properties and, when it comes to staining, these will affect the way it absorbs the stain, how it will look when complete, and the type of treatment that will be necessary prior to staining and afterwards.

When it comes to choosing the right colour, things can get tricky and how the overall finish turns out will be influenced by a wide range of factors. However, when looking for advice on colour choice, a good starting point is to investigate the type of timber that will be used.

Softwoods: There are several types of softwood that can often absorb stains too quickly or unevenly, most notably pine, fur and poplar. In cases like this, you will want to apply a light coat of wood sealer and allow this to dry before proceeding.

To ensure the colour choice is correct, be sure to test your stain out on a hidden area before going ahead with the entire piece.

Dark woods: When it comes to dark woods like teak, sapele or types like oak, whose grain figure tends to stand out, you should opt for lighter stains. These tend to emphasise the natural colour of the wood, rather than radically transforming it.

Light woods: Expect the likes of birch to experience a significant colour change when stained. While this can work wonders in accentuating the vibrancy of an interior design project, beginners can often be over-adventurous when it comes to their colour choices.

One key tip is to consider matching the surface of your timber with the natural shades of darker woods or use more vigorous colours during the project.

Whether you choose to stain is a personal choice, but some woods typically look better when left with their natural colouring. When it comes to the likes of cherry, maple, mahogany, rosewood and even aged pine serious consideration is required before going ahead. As a rule of thumb, if you’re unsure whether staining would improve the look of your timber, simply steer clear!

In some cases, applying finish to the wood will darken its colour, bringing out the natural highlight of the grain. As such, it is well worth applying finish to an inconspicuous zone to check if you like the way it looks without staining.

Choosing stain

There's a wide range of stains on offer and some are even combined with sealers to hasten the staining process. However, some are better than others and it is well worth expending some effort in the planning stages to prevent disasters down the line.

The first step is to consider the finish that will be used. While most finishes and stains will play nice together, if you’re using polyurethane (PU) varnish, you may encounter problems with certain stains.

When it comes to staining, your choices are many and varied, but some of the most popular options include:

• Pigmented oil stains are typically non-penetrating (they will not work their way deep down into the substrate’s inner layers) and are made up of a mix of pigments and solvents. While they offer great value on the cost front, they can often mask the grain pattern of woods that aren’t especially open or prominent.
• Penetrating oil stains are probably the most popular option among beginners because these mix solvents with dyes and are very easy to apply. However, in many cases it can be difficult to ensure even penetration of the substrate. That is why there are best reserved for softwoods like pine, or cases where you only want to slightly darken a close-grained hardwood.
• Varnish stains mix dyes with varnish and are great for the non-visible parts of your project. They’re cheap and, once applied, you won’t need to finish your wood any further.
• Organic stains are generally used by only the most experienced woodworkers. They’re crafted from organic bases – such as tobacco, roots, berries and even tea – and can be used to treat pine and other types of timber.

If you are looking for advice on any aspect of your furniture staining and interiors projects, visit www.internationaltimber.com.