PPG announced that its U.S. woodcare brands, OLYMPIC^® Stains by PPG and PITTSBURGH PAINTS & STAINS^® products, have named Black Walnut as the 2024 Stain Color of the Year. Black Walnut exhibits historic design elegance and approachable warmth, allowing it to support contemporary exteriors with a timeless finish.

“There is a trend in wood finishes right now that leans into warmer midtones and ventures into darker shades,” said Ashley McCollum, PPG marketing manager and global color expert, Architectural Coatings. “Black Walnut bridges the gap between those tones, exuding warmth without going into red hues. It’s a versatile shade that exudes elegance and welcomes guests with a warm embrace.”

Black Walnut can be applied to decks, siding, and other wood surfaces seamlessly across a wide range of architectural styles. Its versatility complements a variety of exterior architectural coating colors.

“Black Walnut has rich tones that add complexity to a modern white or black exterior, but its natural warmth also works well with earthy paint colors and warm neutrals,” McCollum said. “Of course, I particularly love seeing it paired with PPG’s 2024 Color of the Year, Limitless.”

PPG’s woodcare experts recommend Black Walnut in OLYMPIC^® MAXIMUM^® Semi-Transparent stain and sealant for preserving and enhancing the natural beauty and longevity of woods. They also recommend semi-transparent Black Walnut in Pittsburgh Paints & Stains PARAMOUNT^™ Exterior stain and sealant in one, for a perfect blend of cutting-edge paint and color technology and style expertise.

“Exterior wood details help build the character of a structure, whether new construction or a historic property,” said Maureen Taylor, PPG marketing manager, U.S. woodcare brands, Architectural Coatings. “Color and product choice go hand-in-hand when thinking about protecting and preserving the character and beauty of a home or building.”

Olympic Maximum enables DIYers to clean and stain their decks on the same day, regardless of the temperature. Olympic stain products are available at THE HOME DEPOT^® stores nationwide, select PPG dealers, Walmart and online at homedepot.com.

Pittsburgh Paints & Stains Paramount exterior stain and sealant offers advanced protection* that consumers can get in one coat coverage with exceptional adhesion and UV protection. Pittsburgh Paints & Stains products are sold exclusively through MENARDS^® stores. Visit pittsburghpaintsandstains.com to find a list of Menards store locations.