Skip to main content

Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.paintsight.com/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

Choosing a stain color for a deck or fence is harder than it sounds. Unfinished wood looks nothing like finished wood, and sample chips rarely capture how a tone spreads across a full deck surface. Paintsight lets you upload a photo of the existing structure and show the homeowner a realistic before-and-after of the finished stain tone — before you open a can or commit to a color.

​
Taking the best photos

Deck and fence previews work best when the photo captures the full structure in its setting:
  • Photograph the full deck or fence — not just a section. The homeowner needs to see the entire surface to understand how the stain tone will read at scale.
  • Include the house and surrounding yard. A deck color that clashes with the siding or landscaping is a problem the homeowner should catch before the job, not after. Including the surrounding environment in the frame gives them that context.
  • Shoot in good, even light. Overcast conditions work well. Avoid shooting in direct midday sun, which creates harsh shadows on horizontal surfaces like deck boards.

​
Selecting the surface

In Paintsight, select the surface type that matches what you are staining or painting:
  • Deck — for horizontal deck boards, stairs, and railings
  • Fence — for vertical fence boards, panels, and posts
  • Brick/masonry — if your job includes a brick or masonry feature on or near the structure (such as a patio border or retaining wall)

​
Paint details for stain work

Stain products work the same way as paint in Paintsight. Enter the brand, color name, color code, and finish type. For stains, the finish field typically uses terms like:
  • Semi-transparent
  • Semi-solid
  • Solid
All five supported brands — Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, Farrow & Ball, and Dulux — carry exterior stain lines. Use the exact product name and code from the stain the homeowner is considering so the approval record matches what you order.
Stain previews are especially useful on new deck builds, where the homeowner is looking at raw, unfinished wood with no reference for how it will look finished. The before-and-after comparison shows them the finished tone directly on their own deck boards, which is far more convincing than a color chip.
Stain absorption varies by wood species, grain pattern, and surface condition. New smooth wood, weathered gray wood, and pressure-treated lumber all absorb stain differently. The final color on the actual surface may look slightly lighter, darker, or more or less saturated than the preview, depending on the wood. Let the homeowner know this when you share the preview, and recommend they review a test patch before you apply the full coat.