 That semi-transparent stain, if it's in direct sunshine, will probably last you three years. But then you won't have to sand, and all you've got to do is clean it and reapply it. You could actually use a tank sprayer and apply it onto the wood and then just brush it out. In other words, it's real easy to stay up with it. If you use a solid color stain, it's probably going to last you three to five years.