What’s the difference between Transparent and Semi-Transparent?
Stain protection is accomplished mainly by three methods; pigment, vehicle and bio protection. These three methods are the materials left on and in the wood and endure ongoing exposure to the elements, water, temperature fluctuation and ultraviolet light. To effectively protect and preserve the wood from all the elements, there has to be a comprehensive formula that works in a synergistic manner to refract ultra violet light, repel water while allowing the wood to expand and contract and fight microorganism attack (mildew/fungus).It is a proven fact that Semi-Transparent stains do hold up better than Transparent stains in harsh hot climate areas due to their ability to better block U.V. sun light. The Semi-Transparent stains have a high pigment loading as opposed to the Transparent stains, providing a “hiding” effect, thus the term Semi-Transparent. Transparent stains use expensive Trans-Oxide pigments that have been known to block U.V. light as well and allow for the “transparent” loo
