Knotty pine paneling is a versatile wall, trim, and ceiling material that looks beautiful when stained in your favorite colors in conventional, log, and other styles of homes. Its tongue and groove with the end-matching design is fast and easy to install compared to plain pine boards.
There are many stain colors to choose from including clear coat finishes. The latest stains offer brighter colors, more durability, little to no yellowing, and low to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Why Stain Knotty Pine Paneling Instead of Painting
The preferred way to finish new knotty pine paneling is staining it, or staining it with a clear top coat. These applications are superior to painting knotty pine wood for several reasons:
- Stain soaks into the wood pores while paint sits on top of the wood
- Stain allows pine wood to “breathe” and paint does not
- Stain protects knotty pine wood more than painting it
- It preserves the natural beauty, texture, grain, and knots in wood
- Staining is usually less expensive than painting it
- Staining usually requires only one coat, while painting often requires priming first
- Wood can be whitewashed if you want a lighter color
- Some paints can start to peel and flake off over time
You should use only high-quality materials that provide beauty, toughness, and durability. Stained walls and ceilings only need an occasional cleaning to keep them looking gorgeous.
8 Favorite Pine Paneling Stain Colors
Knotty pine wood should be sanded to the desired degree and cleaned before staining it. The best results are obtained by staining with one coat of either Sherwin Williams or Minwax products followed by two coats of a clear top coat finish. The color choices are:
Bronze Walnut – Chestnut – Classic Gray – Early American – Fruitwood – Washington Cherry
Wheat – White Ash.
Choosing wall, ceiling, or trim colors depend on the colors of flooring, architectural features, how they look in natural and indoor lighting, contrasting with other colors, or complementing other colors. Create a plan for everything you want to stain before beginning your project.
“Knotty pine paneling is a versatile wall and ceiling material that looks beautiful when stained in conventional, log, and other styles of homes.”
What Pine Paneling Stain Colors Look Like
Selecting stain colors is fun but should be done carefully to create your ideal décor. Here’s what the eight popular stain colors look like on knotty pine wood:
Bronze Walnut |
Chestnut |
Early American |
Fruitwood |
Washington Cherry |
Wheat |
White Ash |
Classic Gray |
Bronze walnut, chestnut, fruitwood, and Washington cherry are darker colors that can add warmth, richness, and a luxurious feel to a home. They work well in traditional, contemporary, and log homes to create this type of décor:
- Staining the walls and ceilings the same deep shade can create a cozy and intimate room or space
- Darker shades can make a room feel grander and everything you place against it also feels grander
- A darker trim color can create contrast with lighter walls that make them appear even lighter and can also draw more visual attention to the woodwork
- Darker trim and walls can emphasize a historical feel in a home but it can also work in modern spaces
- Darker colors can complement traditional and rustic atmospheres
- This shade of color can create an elegant feel such as flooring that can elevate the overall ambiance of a room and darker colors can look amazing on accent walls or in select rooms
The Lighter Colors Also Look Gorgeous
The lighter colors of classic gray, early American, wheat, and white ash also look gorgeous. Light colors can make a room feel larger, brighter, and more open, especially in smaller spaces. You can use lighter colors in traditional, contemporary, and log homes for these reasons:
- Light colors reflect more light which can make a room feel brighter and more spacious, and this is helpful in rooms that don’t get much natural light
- These colors pair well with many styles and color schemes
- Light wood tones are a staple in interior design and remain a timeless choice
- Lighter floors disguise dust and dirt because they are similar colors
Unfinished Or Pre-Finished Knotty Pine Paneling
Our selection of knotty pine paneling is available in unfinished and pre-finished conditions. Pre-finished paneling offers several advantages you may want to consider, including:
- It is finished by professionals in a temperature and humidity-controlled atmosphere
- The paneling is properly kiln-dried for correct moisture content and staining
- There are no runs, sags, thin or thick spots to repair
- You don’t need to wait on the weather or schedule a painter
- You can save up to 50% on installation time and labor
Knotty pine paneling is a versatile product that is timeless in any color you choose to stain it. Happy staining and enjoy your woodwork for years to come.
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