This post was updated on March 2, 2024
How To Match Different Wood Types with Deck Stains
DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to site for wood deck restoration tips. In this article, we offer tips for matching different wood types with deck stains for the best results. If you have used a combination of different wood types for your project, feel free to leave us a comment with pictures.
How to Match Two Different Wood Types when staining exterior wood and decking.
There are many different types of wood that can be used for exterior applications. Pressure treated pine, cedar, and hardwoods are some of the most common types of decks and other outdoor wood structures. To protect any type of wood from Mother Nature it needs to be coated with a wood preservative or sealant. A quality wood and deck stain can provide years of protection for all wood types.
Some projects may have two different types of wood that were used. Perhaps some repairs were made using a different type of wood that was originally used. Or maybe the project was done in different time frames and a different type of wood was purchased than was before. However it may have occurred, staining two different wood types and trying to get them to match can be tricky.
Different wood types will absorb wood stain at different rates. More porous wood will absorb more stain causing it to be darker. Newer wood or some types of hardwoods may be smoother and denser and will not absorb as much stain which results in a lighter colored finish.
To match two different wood types prior to staining you should clean the entire wood surface. Use a quality wood cleaner and clean the deck with a scrub brush or pressure washer. This will remove any gray wood fibers, grime, dirt, mildew, and mill glaze. Once all the wood is clean, apply a wood deck brightener. This will correct the pH level of all the wood and lighten up its appearance. This step will help blend different wood types.
As an extra step, use a sander to further match the two different wood types. Softer woods will be sanded down to a harder surface while harder wood types will have the opposite effect becoming softer after sanding. This will bring the two different wood types closer together in stain absorption rates.
Stain the wood surface as directed and try to blend the two different types of wood together best you can. Although you may never get them to look exactly alike, taking these steps to match two different wood types will certainly help the overall appearance of your wood project.
Please Ask Any Questions Below
I stained my deck with Ipe OIL PLus and is has black spots on several boards. I followed all the instructions on the label. I sanded the deck and then washed it with tap water from a high pressure hose. Waited 24 hours for it to dry and then applied it in the AM the next morning. It looked good untl the 3rd day after application. It rained 30 hours after I applied it and then the next morning I had these black spots. It looks like iron and water although no ferrous products were used on the deck?
Post some pics in the comments.
I am building a porch with either ipe or brown balau flooring. The beams and posts will be solid cedar as the hardwoods are too heavy. What color should I stain the cedar to EITHER match the hardwood flooring OR make a nice contrast with the hardwood?
You cannot get cedar to match the beauty of the IPE when stained. Closest would be trying to find a stain color that is reddish brown but that depends on the stain brand and color you choose for the IPE. Once that is figured out, then you choose a different color to blend the cedar. Look at Armstrong Clark Stains.
Thank you! Any recommendation for a wood and color for the 8×8 posts and beams that will contrast well with the ipe?
As we mentioned, this would vary based on the color you choose for the IPE stain. You need to pick this out first.
Help! Sanded pressure treated wood on front porch and looking for a similar semi-transparent stain color to (as close as possible) match austrailian oiled garapa railing and handrail. Any suggestions for color?
It is not possible to match pine wood to garapa hardwoods. The garapa is much denser and overall better quality wood. If you have some pics to post, I can offer help as to something that would be close.
Hello Scott,
I just had a fence built and unfortunately the contractor accidentally used treated and untreated wood. Would a semi-transparent stain help match the wood or will they look different over time? Are my only options to use a solid stain or swap out the boards to match? Thank you!
Options are to swap wood to match or use a solid stain.
We would like to add corbels to our newly-installed pressured treated wood columns (which have not yet been stained) and stain the corbels to match. Corbels come in a variety of woods. What kind of corbel wood should we choose so that the corbels and the pressure treated wood closely match? I would like to use semi-transparent stain. Will that work?
Sorry but no idea what wood types they come in. If they come in pressure-treated pine, then use that.
We have some clear Cedar we want to stain to match some pressure treated wood. The pressure-treated is sort of an orange-brown. Any suggestions?
You will not get it to match with using a stain unless you choose a solid stain.
How do I stain pine to look the same color as pressure treated deck boards
You can’t. Plus pressure treated needs to be stained or it will gray in months. You should never use regular pine for outside wood, it will rot. Needs to be pressure treated.
Two summers ago, I had to remove one section of a wrap around deck. It is under an overhang whereas the rest of the deck is exposed to the elements. Prior to removal, the deck was all cedar, but I rebuilt the section that I removed in green treat. Looking back, I wish I would have saved the deck boards and put them on top of the new frame, but oh well.
Now I’ve got one section of green treat deck boards and railing which has weathered for a year and one section of cedar deck with weathered solid stain. I am redoing the railing on the cedar section in green treat this year so that all sections have a matching railing at least. Looking for a darker stain color that will minimize the difference between the green treat deck boards and the cedar deck boards. I will be sanding the cedar down to refresh the surface and get rid of the remaining solid stain, so will be a clean slate. I know it won’t be perfect, but just looking to get as good as it can get. I’m not opposed to using two different products or doing two coats on the green treat to hep blend/match a little better.
Try TWP in Dark Oak color.
I am working on a deck and want to replace the existing cedar with pt to save my customer some money. They want to stain it afterwards a green color.Is mixing the woods a bad idea?
Not if you are using a solid color deck stain and that is the only way you will get a green color.
I read in one of the other comments to sand and use a brightener, should I do that before I stain?
Actually, you should let the new wood weather and then prep it: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
Hi! We are putting in a new Ipe fence and lower deck in our home in brooklyn, ny and will be sealing it with clear penofin oil. We also have an old untreated upper deck (see photo) – not sure of the type of wood. Possibly maple? We power washed it after taking this photo and it’s now a pretty light colored wood.
Anyway! I’d like to stain the deck to match the Ipe. I understand they will never look the same but would like something that looks nice and fresh next to the Ipe.
Strip and brighten the deck and then try one of the Armstrong Clark colors like Chesnut. Penofin has a tendency to turn black so you may want to reconsider a better IPE Stain:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
Thank you! Which of these Ipe stains will be the most natural and preserve the natural look (vs staining it a different color)?
All IPE stains (including Penofin) are tinted as you must have a tint for UV protection from graying. They will all enhance the grain based on the color you pick out. Amber from Armstrong Clark is a lighter tint, similar to a wet look.
Friends are recommending IPE oil by deck wise. Do you still recommend this product? I want something that is clear and maintains the most natural look of the wood and is easy to apply. I don’t want to run into a problem where the application ruins the look! Also, what do you recommend putting on brand new wood before sealing to brighten or remove anything from the mill? I was going to use penofin brightener and penofin oil but you guys may have talked me out of it!
You cannot stain new wood right away. See article below for tips. As for the IPE Oil, it is made by Messmers but a dark brown color.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
My contractor is asking to apply this but I don’t see it on your round ups and I’m concerned to try something I haven’t seen before: https://www.messmers.com/messmers-uv-plus-for-hardwood-decks
Messmers is an okay stain.
I am so glad to have found this article.
I have a cedar deck that I’m not terribly happy with because the cedar is so soft and prone to dents and dings, etc. It also doesn’t like to hold screws well over time. The deck is a rooftop deck and gets a beating. It also has some movement from foam under the roof membrane to help channel water even though the movement cannot be perceived. But, this movement over time seems to loosen screws in cedar, because the cedar is so soft. In addition I am beefing the deck up (joists and stronger planks0 to hold a 12′ x 14′ gazebo from Yardistry. It has four posts that will attach to the deck
I am considering slowly changing out the deck boards to cumaru, ipe, garapa, or one of the other tropical hardwoods. I’m looking at cumaru as it is in the sweet spot of price vs quality. I know it’s strange to not change out the entire deck at once, but financially taking a few years to do it is better for me. The deck is 19.5′ x 21 1/3′ and has 47 rows of 1″ x 6″ with 2 planks per row (a long one and a short one). I was contemplating switching out several rows a year for 2 or 3 or so years starting with the rows under and near the gazebo posts. I know they will not match the cedar but would like medium dark stain that might be best for them both and make them look more like variations and not abrupt color differences?. Any suggestions? The deck gets a real beating, but once covered, it should do a lot better.
The location is Dallas, TX.
It is impossible to get these two different wood types to be even close in color. The cedar will never look like the hardwood.
Hi,
I’m putting up a cedar horizontal fence and am trying to mimic the look and color of high end ipe fences. Can you recommend a stain or any staining techniques to give cedar the look of ipe?
Thanks.
You cannot make cedar look like IPE. The cedar wood will never have the rich grain and smooth texture with no knots.
My husband just replaced the front steps on our new to us 20 year old house and I was trying to get the whole porch to a dark walnut color. I bought Ready Seal in dark walnut thinking it would darken up the lighter wood and then once I stained everything it would match but my test boards are WAY different colors. I was thinking of using interior stain in a dark color on the steps then using the Walnut ready seal all over to try get get a more uniform look. Would that work or would your suggestion in the article for a wood brightener be better? Or is there another option that I haven’t thought of?
Thank you
No, you cannot apply an interior stain and then topcoat it with a deck stain. More than likely you will not be able to get the new wood to match unless it weather for a year and then you prep it.
Darn ok thank you!
What solid stain color best matches ceder treated lumber?
Solid stains cannot match the look of natural wood as it will not show any grain.
I have a deck that was built at two different times, by two different people. The first portion is a darker wood, and the addition is much lighter. I want to stain it gray, and bought a semi-transparent stain. The first portion of the deck was built 1.5 yrs ago, the addition was built about 1 yr ago. Will the semi-transparent stain work with these different woods – considering I will clean and pressure wash, and apply deck brightener? How will a gray stain work? Over time with weather does that color look worse than a natural wood color – or do they typically age the same? The portion of the deck (the pic with the blue foot mat) is wet, and I can take a picture of that wood dry – if that would help.
Yes, a gray will work if a quality brand of stain. Clean and brighten the wood for prep.
I just installed hardwood (Red Mangaris/Red Balau) deck boards over my front porch. I’m not sure what to apply, it is completely covered from the elements so no worry there but it does need to be stained and protected from high traffic.
Any advise?
Look at a hardwood stain: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
Here is the picture with the decking one color and one of the new boards next to it.
So I am having this dilemma that you have written about. With trying to purchase lumber during the pandemic is almost near impossible at big box store. I went there against my better judgement due to local lumberyard being shutdown. I began to purchase my deck boards from lowes and cold not get anymore due to being out of stock. No store in the area (and I checked a good distance) had any. So i went to home depot hoping it was going to be close. well its not but i got what I needed. I am hesitant on installing them because of how far off the color is. So either I chance it and install or I chance it and wait for more supplies in a years time. What color, procedure and chances do I have of getting these 2 types to match even close? Thank you for your time and help of this matter.
I am having problems uploading pictures. I am hoping to get them up soon.
You can’t get these to match when using a semi-transparent stain the first time. In a few years when you redo they will blend much better.
How would a solid stain look and match up? I’m thinking of taking some of the boards up and mixing them kind of staggering them to seem mixed more and not one solid to another.
Yes, a solid would blend this. See here about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
I have pre treated stairs, railing and fence. I want to keep the natural look and add clear coat weatherguard (stairs / rail 1 year old – fence new). I have new pine shutters. I cant seem to find a stain to come close to matching other natural elements. Im using transparent stain. Recently maple brown clear turned natural but light with pink hue. Should i use semi-transparent? Same color? This is tricky.as you can see, my first attepmt was honey and turned yellow! Help!! Im 30 minutes from store. This is so frustrating! Lol
Use a semi-transparent of same color but you will not be able to match exactly all those different wood structures exactly.
I have a deck that was built out of green treated/pressure treated wood and I just built a fence on one side out of brown treated wood (also called cedartone at Menards), does anyone know what color stain I can use on the old deck so it matches the nice color of the brown treat?
Shows some pictures.
Hi there, I’m having cedar wooden garage doors installed. I have rough cedar facia on our house and we have a redwood fence being built as well. I’m trying to find a semi transparent stain that will look similar on the cedar and redwood. Any thoughts are appreciated. I also did not want it to be dark. More on the lighter side if possible. Thanks
Not really possible to have new rough sawn cedar and smooth redwood match or even be similar. Best to get some samples and test. Try Armstrong Clark or TWP.
Just cleaned a 12+ year old deck. The deck is PT but the railings & the pergola are cedar & on a dark brown cedar shake house. The deck gets hot in the summer sun. I don’t want a dark color or anything reddish or orange-ish. I like more natural look but it would be nice to not be so obvious two woods. Suggestions?
Thank you!
Try Honeytone by TWP or Natural in Restore A Deck Wood Stains.
Hello,
I’m installing a screen in porch.
The decking is tongue and groove ipe wood I’m just putting sealer on that to bring out the natural beauty. The ceiling is tongue and groove clear pine and the railing is pressure treated lumber. My question is what stain would I use on the ceiling and railing to try and match it all with the ipe deck?
Thanks
You need a tinted semi-transparent stain for the IPE if you want to prevent UV graying. A clear will not provide UV protection and it will gray in a matter of months
After you choose the stain for the IPE you can try and match the ceiling but that will depend on what the final color of the iPE is. Very hard to get pine to look like IPE.
I have a 30 year old 2 sided Lyndal Cedar log home.It was treated 15 years ago with Linseed oil.I am now beginning to orbital sand the entire outside to remove all old linseed.once removed can you suggest the best steps to take prior to using the correct stain.I am looking for the best wood stain treatment of The TWP series or similar leading products to allow UV protection, fungicide ,Algaecide, Graying and blackening and basically overall log protection.Seattle is a wet environment.
Can you suggest a procedure and best suited stain to meet this criteria.I also intend to reapply every 2 years after.
Thanks -Don
Use the TWP 100 Series for the stain. Prep with their Gemini Restore Kit and pressure washing.
I have an older deck that is green treated/pressure treated wood and I just built a fence along the side with brown treated wood (also called cedartone), what color stain should I use on the old deck to match the nice color of the brown treat? Thanks
Picture, please.
Sorry this is the best picture I have on hand, I can get a closer one tomorrow if needed
Clean and brighten all the wood and try Pecan color by TWP stains on all wood.
I have a wooden pergola with a bench. The posts are cedar and the bench is pressure treated wood. I was trying to prep my pergola for staining and I added a lot of wood filler to fill in gaps. I didn’t realize until too late that this wasn’t a good idea especially if I want to stain with a translucent stain, which I do. A carpenter I am thinking of hiring says he can sand the bench down to new wood. Is this ok?
Sure if you can remove all the wood filler.
I am curious to know which treatment method that you would suggest to get my decking looking better.
I have bought varnish to try get both sides to look more similar, but will pressure washing alone be enough?
You cannot apply varnish to a deck. It will blister and peel. You need a penetrating stain. Clean and brighten for the prep.
I am having a pressure treated pine fence with a cedar lattice top installed. I want the entire fence to be stained the same color so that it looks uniform. Is that possible?
It will be close if you use a semi-transparent stain or semi-solid.
I have a midcentury modern home with cedar ceiling structure that extends through exterior walls as an overhang / architectural element. In December I added a deck. The main deck surfaces are PT pine. There are elements including benches that are cedar. All needs to be stained soon and I would like to emulate the color of the original cedar ceiling / overhang, which is a clear, lighter more natural cedar color with a good bit of the red cedar undertones and all the wood grain. I am hoping you can recommend a single clear stain that will allow the PT pine to take on some of the red undertones of the cedar but that can also be used on the cedar without making it seem more red. I want all the wood to look consistent, but it’s likely I will have to do this work myself so I need to make it as easy as possible. I have physical limitations and am feeling overwhelmed. Appreciate your advice!
Try Amber Color from Armstrong Clark. Make sure you prep the deck first. Use the Restore-A-Deck Cleaner/Brightener Kits.
I need to add cedar post caps to an old treated lumber deck that is in virtually constant shade and therefore looks old and streaky dark, even though I have stripped it and resealed it every 2-4 years. The caps look much brighter. If I put them on now, would they look closer to the lumber color in a year, when I intend to sell the house? Would it help to wait before sealing them?
Darker colors with more pigment will blend better. Try a semi-solid by Armstrong Clark in a darker brown color to blend. Waitng a year and then prepping will help.
I have a 20 year old oak railing. I've added decorative pieces to it that are pine. How can I drain them to a dark wood? Will they not match now?
Clean and prep both well. Try a dark stain like TWP Dark Oak or Black Walnut. They will not match exactly but should be close.
Thank you for your great articles! I am planning to follow all the steps for prepping old and new pressure treated pine boards on my deck with RAD kit. I will stain with semi solid Armstrong Clark. What sand paper type and machine should my contractor use to sand the boards before staining?
No more then 60-80 grit.
I've got an 11 month old pressure treated deck that I've been looking to stain for the last few months. It's at least 1/2 shaded and it's in Wisconsin so it's a temperate climate. I've been eyeing the TWP100 as that's got one of the highest rankings but I want to be sure it's appropriate for pressure treated wood. Are some stains better than others for this type of deck?
No issue with the wood type. Any quality stain will work like the TWP 100 Series.