The more pigment a stain has, the longer it’s going to last. This is the reason that a solid stain would last longer than a clear stain. The longevity of a stain will also depend on its exposure to the weather and other factors. Stain on a garden bench, for example, isn’t going to last for as long as on a siding. That’s because it will be in contact with more direct sunlight, have water sitting on it and also there is that fact people will be sitting on it. Stain on cedar siding probably lasts for around 4 years, on average. On decking and furniture, it's going to be a little less. As we've mentioned, this can depend on a few different factors and therefore regular inspections are a good idea.