Updated February 2020
Darker Pigmented Deck Stain Means Better UV Protection
Deckstainhelp.com is your go-to source for deck staining tips and trends on the internet in 2019. Read below for insights about the science of deck stains and why more pigment in deck stain means better UV protection. Leave us a comment below if you have experienced this yourself.
Why More Pigment Means Better UV Protection
Pigments are used for coloring and tinting wood stain. Most pigments used in stain manufacturing are dry powders that are ground up. The powder is added to a binder that suspends the pigment, which gives the stain its desired tint. Stain pigments can vary in color depending on the type of light they are reflecting. For exterior wood surfaces that light source is typically sunlight. But pigments also play an important role in protecting the wood from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
The pigment reflects the sun’s radiation, this is why more pigment means better UV protection. In general, the more pigment a stain has the more UV protection it provides. Stains can be specially formulated to not only give a beautiful appearance but also to help reflect UV rays even more. Synthetic pigments and nanoparticle technology combined with heavy resins, binders, and other fillers can offer superb UV protection.
