David Savastano, Contributing Editor03.20.25
Your backyard can be a beautiful place to relax and enjoy gatherings. Whether it is on a deck, a pergola or on some benches, a sunny day in your yard is a nice place to be with friends and family or even relaxing by yourself.
Of course, these outdoor areas require care and can do with some freshening up from time to time. This can include re-applying stain, and selecting the right stain for your outdoors is important.
Pittsburgh Paints Co. has selected Oxford Brown, a warm earthy hue with subtle hints of amber and russet, as its 2025 Stain Color of the Year. Ashley McCollum, Pittsburgh Paints Co.’s color expert, said that the choice of Oxford Brown reflects the wish for a versatile, warm hue.
“For years, minimalist blacks and subtle white oaks have dominated the color space, and consumers are really opting for warmer, more comforting hues that are versatile,” McCollum observed. “It is earthy with some subtle hints of amber and russet, it is adaptable to all environments, and it is especially helpful for weathered wood, as it can revitalize that wood.”
McCollum said that Oxford Brown struck the color team at Pittsburgh Paints Co. as the perfect choice for our times.
“We have a team of Pittsburgh Paints Company color experts who keep a pulse on trends throughout the year, and we have been really deep diving into this research,” she noted. “There are so many different trends that impact colors and how customers select their colors. We are always looking for that new ‘It’ color. Oxford Brown is that really warm, invigorating color that transcends design styles. It is quite timeless, and it is a really fail-proof color.”
“Wood details can help add character and dimension to a home,” said Bryce Nelson, Pittsburgh Paints Co. associate marketing manager, woodcare brands. “Whether you’re going for a modern, rustic look or an aged, historic style, it’s important that you use the right product and color to preserve the beauty of your home and achieve your desired finish.”
McCollum noted that Oxford Brown fits virtually every outdoor application.
“The possibilities for Oxford Brown are practically unlimited,” McCollum said. “From an exterior perspective, decks, wooden furniture, wooden swings, planter boxes, wooden mail boxes, fences, and pergolas are ideal applications for Oxford Brown – it is so versatile and the options don’t really end.”
It’s not just color that’s key here; an excellent stain can last longer than an average one, which is good news for homeowners who take on the job of maintaining their decks.
“Waterproofing protection is one characteristic that consumers look for,” Nelson pointed out. “When water is on a sealed deck, the water should be beading and not impacting the wood. Another important property is ease of use – our low VOC stains are made with weather-ready formulas and can be applied on damp wood as well as in hot or cold temperatures.
“There are some other factors when selecting a stain,” Nelson added. “Durability is one of the highest factors. We recommend Olympic Elite and Pittsburgh Paints and Stains Paramount, which both have exceptional durability. You can get Oxford Brown tinted in semi-transparent and solid stain. Depending on the stain and your preparation, semi-transparent stains are typically good for six years on your deck, and solid stains can last up to 10 years.”
Along those lines, McCollum offered up three key pieces of advice for homeowners when they select and apply a stain.
“Before you commit to your stain color, we recommend purchasing a sample and testing it on an inconspicuous part of the project to make sure you like it,” she said. “A stain color in a brochure may appear different once applied to your specific type of wood.
“Another tip for the selection process is transparency,” McCollum noted. “If you want to see a lot of wood grain, you can opt for a transparent or semi-transparent stain; a solid stain hides your wood grain.”
As for applying the stain, preparation is absolutely essential to make any color look best.
“There are good preparation practices listed on our cans as well as links to websites with good advice,” McCollum said. “One technique is to use a wood or deck cleaner first.”
The Pittsburgh Paints Company has three popular wood care brands: OLYMPIC Stains, PITTSBURGH PAINTS & STAINS coatings and FLOOD wood finishes. OLYMPIC Stains are sold by Home Depot; Pittsburgh Paints & Stains products are sold exclusively through Menards stores. To find Flood products at independent retailers, PPG Paint stores and national retailers across the U.S., visit Flood.com.
Of course, these outdoor areas require care and can do with some freshening up from time to time. This can include re-applying stain, and selecting the right stain for your outdoors is important.
Pittsburgh Paints Co. has selected Oxford Brown, a warm earthy hue with subtle hints of amber and russet, as its 2025 Stain Color of the Year. Ashley McCollum, Pittsburgh Paints Co.’s color expert, said that the choice of Oxford Brown reflects the wish for a versatile, warm hue.
“For years, minimalist blacks and subtle white oaks have dominated the color space, and consumers are really opting for warmer, more comforting hues that are versatile,” McCollum observed. “It is earthy with some subtle hints of amber and russet, it is adaptable to all environments, and it is especially helpful for weathered wood, as it can revitalize that wood.”
McCollum said that Oxford Brown struck the color team at Pittsburgh Paints Co. as the perfect choice for our times.
“We have a team of Pittsburgh Paints Company color experts who keep a pulse on trends throughout the year, and we have been really deep diving into this research,” she noted. “There are so many different trends that impact colors and how customers select their colors. We are always looking for that new ‘It’ color. Oxford Brown is that really warm, invigorating color that transcends design styles. It is quite timeless, and it is a really fail-proof color.”
“Wood details can help add character and dimension to a home,” said Bryce Nelson, Pittsburgh Paints Co. associate marketing manager, woodcare brands. “Whether you’re going for a modern, rustic look or an aged, historic style, it’s important that you use the right product and color to preserve the beauty of your home and achieve your desired finish.”
McCollum noted that Oxford Brown fits virtually every outdoor application.
“The possibilities for Oxford Brown are practically unlimited,” McCollum said. “From an exterior perspective, decks, wooden furniture, wooden swings, planter boxes, wooden mail boxes, fences, and pergolas are ideal applications for Oxford Brown – it is so versatile and the options don’t really end.”
It’s not just color that’s key here; an excellent stain can last longer than an average one, which is good news for homeowners who take on the job of maintaining their decks.
“Waterproofing protection is one characteristic that consumers look for,” Nelson pointed out. “When water is on a sealed deck, the water should be beading and not impacting the wood. Another important property is ease of use – our low VOC stains are made with weather-ready formulas and can be applied on damp wood as well as in hot or cold temperatures.
“There are some other factors when selecting a stain,” Nelson added. “Durability is one of the highest factors. We recommend Olympic Elite and Pittsburgh Paints and Stains Paramount, which both have exceptional durability. You can get Oxford Brown tinted in semi-transparent and solid stain. Depending on the stain and your preparation, semi-transparent stains are typically good for six years on your deck, and solid stains can last up to 10 years.”
Along those lines, McCollum offered up three key pieces of advice for homeowners when they select and apply a stain.
“Before you commit to your stain color, we recommend purchasing a sample and testing it on an inconspicuous part of the project to make sure you like it,” she said. “A stain color in a brochure may appear different once applied to your specific type of wood.
“Another tip for the selection process is transparency,” McCollum noted. “If you want to see a lot of wood grain, you can opt for a transparent or semi-transparent stain; a solid stain hides your wood grain.”
As for applying the stain, preparation is absolutely essential to make any color look best.
“There are good preparation practices listed on our cans as well as links to websites with good advice,” McCollum said. “One technique is to use a wood or deck cleaner first.”
The Pittsburgh Paints Company has three popular wood care brands: OLYMPIC Stains, PITTSBURGH PAINTS & STAINS coatings and FLOOD wood finishes. OLYMPIC Stains are sold by Home Depot; Pittsburgh Paints & Stains products are sold exclusively through Menards stores. To find Flood products at independent retailers, PPG Paint stores and national retailers across the U.S., visit Flood.com.
