Solid stain vs. paint
 

My condo development has had problems with rotting wood siding on the
buildings. I'm told this was due to the quality of the wood being poor.
The Association has always been using solid colored stain instead of paint.
The stuff, to me looks like just like paint, but my understanding is that,
because it is classified as a stain, only one coat of the stuff needs to be
applied, and without any primer. For this reason, I'm wondering if the use
of a solid colored stain instead of paint might contributing to the wood
rotting.

Would properly applying one coat of a quality solid-colored stain provide as
much protection as if the building were properly painted (which I assume
would entail a primer plus 2 coats of quality paint). Am I wrong to be
suspecting that solid colored stain is being chosen as a means of saving
money....I'm imagining them saying.... "solid colored stain is great because
we can just apply ONE coat of stain and be done with it rather than having
to pay for the labor of applying....oh my god.... a primer plus....oh my
god.... two....yes two.....coats of paint."

Am I wrong to be thinking that the buildings would be better protected if
properly painted rather than stained.

J.

"jay" wrote in message
news:YxLse.13641$qr1.13024@trndny07...
My condo development has had problems with rotting wood siding on the
buildings. I'm told this was due to the quality of the wood being poor.
The Association has always been using solid colored stain instead of
paint. The stuff, to me looks like just like paint, but my understanding
is that, because it is classified as a stain, only one coat of the stuff
needs to be applied, and without any primer. For this reason, I'm
wondering if the use of a solid colored stain instead of paint might
contributing to the wood rotting.

Would properly applying one coat of a quality solid-colored stain provide
as much protection as if the building were properly painted (which I
assume would entail a primer plus 2 coats of quality paint). Am I wrong
to be suspecting that solid colored stain is being chosen as a means of
saving money....I'm imagining them saying.... "solid colored stain is
great because we can just apply ONE coat of stain and be done with it
rather than having to pay for the labor of applying....oh my god.... a
primer plus....oh my god.... two....yes two.....coats of paint."

Am I wrong to be thinking that the buildings would be better protected if
properly painted rather than stained.

The basic assumption that the siding is faulty may be a bad rap.. What kind
of siding is it? Could be the direction of exposure, roof/eaves leaks,
leaking gutters, lack of proper overhang of the eaves, etc etc. I would
have an expert look at just where the rotting is occurring, and why, before
you decide what sort of coating to use, which is of secondary importance..
Re comparative cost, the Cabots solid color opaque stains I use on my decks
and rails are every bit as expensive as exterior paints.. Stains in some
applications may be more effective, as they soak into the wood more, and
tend to resist flaking if properly applied. If you have moisture moving from
behind the siding outwards, paint with prime might be a poor choice, as it
would form a good water seal, then pooch out in flakes, as the water
debonded the primer.
.. Bottom Line - get an expert on drainage and wood rot, and get his opinion
exactly why the siding is failing. A number of siding brands have been the
target of legal action, due to poor quality binding, material, or adhesives.

Is the wood dryrotting, or rotting from moisture? If it's a moisture
problem, I'm with Roger Taylor on this -- the source of the moisture
that causes the rotting needs to be established. There are plenty of
ways wood can be getting/staying wet, and it doesn't matter how
something is finished.

If it's from dryrot, then they're not maintaining the siding properly.
You say they do one coat, but how often do they do it?

The stuff, to me looks like just like paint, but my understanding is that, because it is classified as a stain, only one coat of the stuff needs to be applied, and without any primer.

Yes, it looks like paint but it soaks in instead of creating a film on
the surface. And since it soaks in, no primer is used/needed.

But, just because it's stain doesn't mean only one coat. There have
been plenty of times when I've had to do 2 coats [mainly due to poor
maintenance habits of the owner]. It all depends on the siding --
condition of the wood will tell you whether one coat is sufficient.