Normally, we don’t think of staining things as something to pay for. However, the unassuming nature of a nice, glossy stain for your porch, patio or boat deck is a good way to preserve the surface while improving user traction and gaining aesthetic points to boot. For many, the function beats the form, and there are stains that aren’t meant to be noticed at all while providing the full spectrum of protections that paints and sealants are generally supposed to impart. These include shielding from the sun’s UV rays, the day-in and day-out footfalls of passers-by, temperatures off both ends of the scale and precipitation of the wet or frozen sorts.

There are a handful of really important reasons to be sure that you’re picking the right stain. While most of them will work on just about any surface when applied correctly, some of them may not pigment your deck in an intended manner unless you choose a stain that’s specifically designed for the substrate that you’ll be using it on. There’s also the point of some stains simply not resulting in the promised color, and this could have any number of reasons for happening. However, apart from the possibility of ruining the deck when improperly applied, you also run risks with the home-owners association (HOA) coming down on you for having improperly displayed property or mismatched colors.

Fortunately, stains typically don’t require primer because of their watery, soak-in consistency wherein the coat becomes a part of the wood instead of just sitting on top. This allows primer to help old and weathered wood decks mend together while providing total protection from the inside and out. As with deck paint, you always want to thoroughly strip and clean your deck prior to using a stain. Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s check out the comparison table and run you through some reviews of the best deck stain picks to help you decide on the product that’s right for you.



Best Deck Stain Comparison Table

Best Deck Stain Reviews

Coverage is approximate and depends on method of application, surface, porosity and temperature.

DEFY Extreme Exterior Wood Stain – Best Water-Based Deck Stain

This water-based stain from DEFY Extreme is designed to provide an environmentally friendly solution that goes on clear and protects your deck from every outdoor element under the sun — including the sun itself.

Being water-based, you can apply a new coat over top of previous oil-based stains that might still be on the deck, simplifying the process. You also don’t need to worry about using a primer, and to top it all off, DEFY’s stain solution is environmentally friendly. This means that you can use it inside and out without concern for children or pets due to residue or runoff.

This particular stain is completely clear, meaning that it doesn’t tint the wood at all. Instead, it allows the natural color to come through with a bit of sheen. Since there’s no emphasis on aesthetic additives here, you’re getting 100 percent deck protection with this product. In other words, expect great results.

Indeed, the Extreme lines of stains are made from excellent resins that block out UV rays, protect from the thump and thud of footsteps, and keep water and temperature conditions from affecting the substrate. You’re also getting enhanced mildew resistance owing to zinc particles that are infused in the blend.

As a result of all these factors, you not only have one of the best deck stains that lasts 2-3 times longer than the competition , but you also keep the recoating down to a minimum. Users generally find that this is a straightforward, easy-to-use and no-nonsense barrier for your indoor and outdoor decks that doesn’t suffer from any glaring problems.

Verdict

We solidly recommend DEFY’s offering here if you’re satisfied with the current color of your deck and just want to protect it from all manner of damaging elements.

Pros Goes on completely clear, allowing 100 percent of the natural color to come through as is

Goes on completely clear, allowing 100 percent of the natural color to come through as is Protects from UV rays, traversal, rain and snow, hot and cold temperatures, and mildew

Protects from UV rays, traversal, rain and snow, hot and cold temperatures, and mildew Water-based means that it preserves the deck color better, prevents water from being trapped inside the substrate, and can be easily applied to substrates that already have an oil coat stain Cons None!

Rust-Oleum Wolman F&P – Best Natural Finish Deck Stain

Rust-Oleum is so much more than a rust treatment company. These days, they’re making awesome products of all kinds, and you’re looking at one of them here.

The Wolman F&P is a natural finish stain that doesn’t add any pigmentation to the substrate, keeping the color exactly the way it was before you applied the coat. This means that you’ll want to apply this only to surfaces where you’ll be satisfied with the original color . The slight glossing effect also helps to bring out the textures in the wood by reflecting more light, which is considered an aesthetic benefit by most.

Since Rust-Oleum didn’t have to mess with any color-based additives, they were able to make this stain a full-blown preservative that improves the visual quality of your deck while enhancing the overall value of your home in the long run.

This finish and preservative includes protection from UV-based graying of wood substrates, water damage, mold, and mildew. Additionally, you can expect rot prevention with this solution although it’s rather redundant to advertise it when that’s one of the very purposes of a stain. Nonetheless, if you didn’t know that it would help keep wooden substrates intact, you do now.

One of the main issues to look out for is the UV protection: It’s said to be a bit lacking. However, that’s not the real problem here. Some users have found that rather than being clear as it’s advertised to be, it’ll deeply tint the deck red. Some found that it was a pale tint; others ended up with a highly saturated result that ruined their investment. We should point out that the issue was reported by a minority, and there are many happy reviews on it.

Verdict

We recommend this product if you want a clear stain for your deck, but you should try it out on an inconspicuous corner first and give it time to dry out before deciding to apply it all over.

Pros Clear stain that brings out the natural color and texture of the deck without dying it

Clear stain that brings out the natural color and texture of the deck without dying it Protects from the usual spectrum of damaging elements: UV rays, traversal, water, mold and mildew, and temperature conditions Cons UV protection may be a little weak for some, resulting in premature fading

UV protection may be a little weak for some, resulting in premature fading Some may find that this product dyes the deck red instead of being clear

Penofin Ultra Premium – Best Deck Stain for Full Sun

Penofin brings a versatile, clear-coat offering to the mix with the Penetrating Oil Finish. It’s designed to protect more than just decks: It can also be used on boats, siding, panels and other wooden features of your home.

While it does lean toward the costlier side of the fence, it’s a solid product that brings 99 percent UV protection with an anti-mildew additive. Overall, it goes on easy and doesn’t require sanding or priming prior to laying it down. Being clear, you should ensure that your desired surface is the correct color before slathering this on.

The coverage per bucket rests at an average of roughly 300 square feet with smooth surfaces and about half that on rough ones, so don’t think that you’re paying more to stain more. What you’re getting is a product that means business and gets to work sealing the various wood surfaces around your home as needed.

You’ll need to keep one thing in mind, however:

The excellent UV protection comes at the cost of longevity. If this stain will be exposed heavily to the sun, you can expect it to fade in as little as a few months.

There’s little more to say about Penofin’s product. It doesn’t cover a wide spectrum of features, but it does provide exceptional coverage against mildew and UV rays while offering a buffer against traversal, rain and temperature damage. Additionally, since this is a single-coat deck stain that doesn’t require any prep work beyond simple cleaning, you should be able to lay it over top of other stains. We think you should probably strip as much as you can beforehand to be safe, but don’t expect any issues if you don’t.

Verdict

We solidly recommend this if you need a clear, highly protective stain that just works and goes on easy.

Pros Exceptional protection from UV rays and mildew

Exceptional protection from UV rays and mildew Goes on clear to let the natural color of the substrate through

Goes on clear to let the natural color of the substrate through Doesn’t require sanding or primer to set Cons Heavy sun exposure may cause it to fade prematurely

BEHR Premium – Best Deck Stain and Sealer

This translucent stain from BEHR is a cool mix of weatherproofing and wood-dying in a one-gallon package. It’s a simple offering but fills a complex spectrum of awesome that you’ll probably be satisfied with. It’s not like BEHR isn’t well-known or anything.

The weatherproofing is what you’d expect:

Sunshine isn’t a problem, water and rain won’t present issues, temperature fluctuations won’t penetrate the wood and leave damage, and you safely walk over your porch or patio without concern.



The cedar tone of the dye means that you should check on the color of your deck to be sure that it’ll synergize correctly. How many times have we heard of people who stained their decks and weren’t too pleased with the color?

It protects from general day-to-day wear and tear while adding a nice, brown tint to your deck

Verdict

There’s nothing about this that we can’t recommend, so give it a shot.

Pros General weatherproofing protection that handles everything like a champ

General weatherproofing protection that handles everything like a champ Nice cedar tint that goes great with some colors and woods Cons None

Woodrich Brand Timber Oil – Great for Use on New Wood

However, if you play your cards right with this one — cleaning and stripping the substrate, that is — you shouldn’t run into any issues with the product itself. To answer the all-important question of what a BEHR does in the woods, the answer is:

When you’re looking at buying from a brand known as Woodrich, you figure there must be something great about this product. Maybe you thought that it was rather odd they would ship the product in what looks like a five-gallon plastic drum. Who’s to say what’s acceptable and isn’t? It’s a flawless product, and that’s all you care about at the end of the day.

We’ll admit that the coverage base on this stain is far from the best. You’re getting a projected 750 square feet with five gallons of Timber Oil, which some would argue is a little short of the mark, but that’s hardly a problem when you’re willing to pay a higher dollar for an impeccable seal against the forces of nature for your deck, siding, handrails and more. The color is advertised as “brown sugar”, and sugar indeed: It looks great.

The selling points are pretty cut and clear

To begin with, yes, this is a very easily applied stain that doesn’t require stripping of prior applications to lay this one on. Of course, you’ll still need to clean the surface, but that’s a given. In addition to that, you also have the means of applying Woodrich’s stain however you like: sprayer, roller, whatever floats your boat.

Speaking of boats, it doesn’t look like you can use this on boat decks , or if you can, you probably shouldn’t count on the waterproofing or traction factor.

One thing that you may not know about other stains is their odd requirement that you use them on wood that has weathered down to a point. Now, that doesn’t mean that you should wait for the forces of nature to destroy your deck before using stains in general. It’s much like driving a car for the first 5,000 miles to break in the transmission before revving it too much, lest you blow a gasket. Here, it’s a matter of ensuring that the stain can properly settle into the wood.

Well, about that: Woodrich’s stain works like a peach on brand new wood, serving to preserve your deck in its freshest possible state. Of course, you can still use it on older wood as well if needed.

Finally, we’d like to mention the finish. Yes, this is all thanks to the oxide pigmentation that highlights the texture of your deck and brings out details that you hadn’t seen before. This glossing effect follows the contour of every little bump, ridge, edge and curve to emphasize the aesthetic underneath. Combined with the rich color, this is a great plus.

Verdict

What can we say? You’re protecting your deck with an exceptional aesthetic coat that’s super easy to lay on and has quite literally no drawbacks to speak of — well unless you’re still complaining about the square footage per bucket, but we think that can slip under the radar.

Pros Incredibly easy to apply: doesn’t require stripping or sanding although cleaning is still necessary

Incredibly easy to apply: doesn’t require stripping or sanding although cleaning is still necessary Rich variety of colors to choose from

Rich variety of colors to choose from Excellent glossing effect that really brings out the detail in the wood more so than the competition Cons The amount of coverage that you get from a single bucket is a little on the low side but nothing to be worried about

Duckback Superdeck Exterior – Best Deck Stain for Redwood

It’s not called Duckback because you should avoid it; it’s called Duckback because, we guess, it has something to do with ducks — sorry, decks.

Don’t let the amusing brand hold you back though: The performance of this stain just ducky. You’re handling a transparent stain that’s particularly on the longevity before a recoat is required, and that’s in addition to — you guessed it — protection and a cool-cat layer of subtle gloss to really bring out the finer details.



Interestingly, Superdeck uses a three-oil system that doesn’t just seal the wood off and prevent rotting; it also nourishes the wood, helping to restore its health over time while keeping it safe from the elements. Those elements would be none other than rain, snow, temperature changes, footfalls and UV radiation. You can also use this for siding and other wooden applications besides decks, porches, and patios, but just be aware that once you choose Superdeck, you might not want to try anything else.

Verdict

Without further ado, we now recommend the Superdeck for all-around protection, aesthetics and wood restoration.

Pros Lasts an average of two years before requiring a recoat

Lasts an average of two years before requiring a recoat Provides a great wood-based tint to siding, decks and more

Provides a great wood-based tint to siding, decks and more Gently glosses the finer details in the wood to bring out detail

Gently glosses the finer details in the wood to bring out detail Protects the substrate from the usual array of outdoor elements: sun, rain, temperature and more

Protects the substrate from the usual array of outdoor elements: sun, rain, temperature and more Helps nourish the wood in addition to preventing rot Cons You might struggle to find a source for this product while you’re trying to buy it

TWP (Total Wood Preservative) – Great for Any Surface

Before we recommend it — because you know that we’re going to throw flying colors for Duckback’s stain — we’d like to point out what users say. Generally speaking, you can expect about two years per coat. One user was cited for having used this specific stain for over 20 years, which should tell you something. However, you may have some difficulty finding retailers that are willing to sell it online and off, so keep that in mind.

TWP has gained a reputation for stains, paints, and sealants that keep your deck, siding, handrails and more in good shape for years to come no matter how harsh conditions might get.

Now, let’s move on to what makes TWP’s stain so great. The manufacturer makes it a strict point to say that this is a penetrating stain, which means that it doesn’t leave a film behind. Stains generally work like this to some degree unlike paints, but with TWP’s offering here, you can expect a complete soak into the wood, almost like water.

From within, it acts to repel water, UV rays, and other outdoor elements. You shouldn’t see any notable difference in longevity whether you apply it to a wall or a floor, so feel free to splash it on any surface without worry .



Being transparent, it allows the original color of the substrate to come through, so you should double-check to be sure that you’re already happy with the color you have. Additionally, be prepared for the longevity of this product to suffer despite its many great protection qualities. However, for the year-plus that it should be effective, your surfaces should remain safe and secure.

No Shipping to these STATES: You might not be able to get it shipped to your state if you happen to live in the AK AZ CA CT DE DC HI IL IN MA MD ME NJ NH NY OH PA RI VA VT. We are not sure if there is an additive that is considered dangerous for shipping but be aware that getting your hands on this might be challenging unless you can pick it up from a store.

You might not be able to get it shipped to your state if you happen to live in the AK AZ CA CT DE DC HI IL IN MA MD ME NJ NH NY OH PA RI VA VT. We are not sure if there is an additive that is considered dangerous for shipping but be aware that getting your hands on this might be challenging unless you can pick it up from a store.

Verdict

Also, unlike some stains, this one’s highly resistant to peeling. For that reason alone, we recommend TWP’s stain for you.

Pros Excellent all-around protection from the elements and physical wear and tear

Excellent all-around protection from the elements and physical wear and tear Goes on clear to bring out the natural details in the substrate

Goes on clear to bring out the natural details in the substrate Soaks in better than other stains, allowing it to act more from the inside of the wood and providing better internal protection as a result

Soaks in better than other stains, allowing it to act more from the inside of the wood and providing better internal protection as a result Won’t peel Cons Doesn’t ship to several states in the US

Doesn’t ship to several states in the US May not last quite as long as you’d like

A company that calls itself #1 Deck is probably confident in its product — or completely full of it.

However, users find that this is definitely a product to hit the deck with, and by that, we mean that you should definitely give this one a second look. Sliding in at a very affordable figure, you have powerful translucent pigmentation that delivers natural colors to enhance the look and feel of your deck or siding.

There are four colors that this stain can be shipped in, and it can be safely applied to any softwood surface that you’re rocking.

This versatile stain seals it off from water damage both outside and in, and it provides the usual protection from UV radiation to prevent fading. The daily thump-thump-thump of walking over it should be well-buffered by this stain as well although the focal point of its protective qualities are on natural elements. This means that temperature also shouldn’t present an issue for your deck here.

Additionally, there’s apparently a traction additive tossed in, or perhaps it’s a natural consequence of the chemical makeup, but users find that wet traction is really good on decks that were stained with this product.

Verdict

Can we say that #1 Deck is indeed number one? We’re not sure about that, but it’s definitely one of the better ones on here, and it does a little bit of everything for your benefit. There’s nothing about this product that couldn’t be recommended, so if you’re having doubts, just give it a shot.

Pros Potent wood coloration that looks great once it’s settled

Potent wood coloration that looks great once it’s settled Protects from the standard array of outdoor elements such as rain, UV rays and temperature differences

Protects from the standard array of outdoor elements such as rain, UV rays and temperature differences Holds good traction for wet surfaces Cons None

KILZ Exterior Waterproofing – Best Deck Stain Cedar and Redwood

KILZ is here with a translucent offering that should bring out the best in your cedar or redwood deck while protecting it from general outdoor elements.

It comes in three colors:

Cedar

Chocolate Brown

Redwood

Being 100 percent acrylic, it’s a somewhat environmentally safe product that keeps your deck shielded from the sun, precipitation, mildew and general traversal. Of course, these benefits come at a rather heavy price tag, so be prepared to pay well for a product that looks and performs well.



Because this is an acrylic stain, you’ll definitely need to take extra care when preparing your deck before using this. The wood also shouldn’t be too weathered when you lay this on or the protection factor will unevenly wear thin and allow elements to penetrate the deck from within. You’ll need to give the stain a good 24 hours to completely dry before you’re safe to set foot on it once more. Past that point, this should prove a flawless stain for any wooden deck.

Keep in mind that stains, unlike paint, generally don’t require primer, so if you’re used to laying down the opaque alternative, this should prove easier to apply.

The only complaint that users consistently face is the bucket’s tendency to leak, which some think is more to do with the delivery than the packaging. However, the actual paint itself is nice and thick, covers a wide area and lasts 3-5 years.

Verdict

This is an excellent solution for bringing out the natural look in your deck while sealing it off from damaging conditions.

Pros Super durable, lasting 3-5 years

Super durable, lasting 3-5 years Beautiful, translucent wood tones that come in three colors

Beautiful, translucent wood tones that come in three colors General protection from all sources of outdoor damage including mildew Cons The container tends to leak

The container tends to leak Quite costly

Ready Seal Stain and Sealer – Best Choice for Beginners

If you have a redwood deck that’s in need of a top-notch stain treatment, Ready Seal has the glowing reviews to inspire confidence in your investment.

As with most stains, no primer is required although you’ll still need to sand, strip and clean the surface prior to applying it. On the plus side, you won’t need to back-brush or wet-line the coat for this particular stain to settle in properly. Temperature is also of no concern when laying this down, and it should last evenly through all four seasons no matter how hot or cold it gets.

Ready Seal’s product should work with nearly any means of application: rolling, spraying and brushing all work just as well .

This goof-proof stainer is just perfect for beginners and looks wonderful on any type of wood provided you select the right color. However, take note that the color on the container may not quite be the color that you get when you apply it and it finally dries. This hasn’t been a deal-breaker for anyone, but it’s worth noting that you should test the product on a corner of the surface before slathering it on.

Verdict

This is a great recommendation if you need a good stain for your wooden deck, and it’ll help bring out that natural look that goes great with an upscale home.

Pros Looks great on wooden surfaces

Looks great on wooden surfaces No back-brushing or wet-lining required

No back-brushing or wet-lining required Temperature-proof

Temperature-proof Goof-proof, being applicable by any means you’d like Cons Final color may be a little different from what you thought you were purchasing

DeckWise Ipe Oil – Best Deck Stain for Exotic Hardwood

Oil-based products are an interesting way to coat your deck. Generally speaking, you want to use it in outdoor settings, but due to its properties, it tends to absorb sunlight rather than deflect it, which results in a rapidly heated surface and a coat that needs re-layering inside a year or sooner.

However, DeckWise’s product incorporates an additive that helps offset this weakness by scattering inbound UV, so you should find that this solution lasts longer than the average product of similar consistency. You’ll also find that it penetrates into any type of wood without breaking a sweat regardless of the density that you’re working with.

This particular product is designed to be used with exotic hardwoods, allowing their beauty to shine through while protecting from the usual array of damaging outdoor elements: rain, snow, sleet, sunshine, traversal and more.

Since the finish is natural, it shouldn’t impart any damage to the wood itself — how ironic that would be if it did! The complications that users had with DeckWise’s sealant is that it behaves as more of a stain with the amount of pigment in it, which throws off the natural color of the substrate some. If you’re okay with this, the only other talking point is the durability, which some say is a little shorter than they like. Since this is an oil, you should be prepared for this factor anyhow.

Verdict

We recommend this oil coat if you have high-grade wooden surfaces that need to be protected while showing off their natural color and beauty — well, for the most part. There’s a little tinting that happens when you lay this down, but it’s not necessarily unattractive. You may actually like the result.

Pros Deep penetration in any type of wood

Deep penetration in any type of wood Uncommonly ideal for protecting and bringing out the finer aesthetics of exotic hardwood substrates

Uncommonly ideal for protecting and bringing out the finer aesthetics of exotic hardwood substrates Boosts traction Cons Behaves as more of a stain than an oil product due to its tinting property although the color isn’t always undesirable in the end result

Best Deck Stain Buyer’s Guide

Deck stain is designed to protect objects used outside from ultraviolet rays, pests, and high humidity. When store shelves are filled with a vast variety of deck stains, you have to pay special attention to their selection and application.

Difference between Outdoor and Indoor Stains

Today, they manufacture a lot of various compounds intended for treatment of wood surfaces, and deck stains, in this respect, have one major advantage – they preserve the unique, one-of-a-kind structure of natural material that makes it so valuable.

Painting and coating materials are categorized by certain criteria, and one of such criteria is the environment in which the wood is to be used. Outdoor objects stay under the open sky, which, naturally, makes them exposed to weather conditions: the wood swells and then shrinks. Deck stains designed for treatment of exterior surfaces create elastic film on the surface of the material, which helps the wood to resist potential swelling and drying. Stains for treatment of indoor surfaces do not have the same degree of elasticity; therefore, the film soon flakes and starts peeling off.

Deck stain is used for treatment of the following structures:

Wood steps, terraces, front porches

Parts of the roof

Facades of houses made of wood

Walls of bath-houses

Wooden sculptures and garden furniture

Entrance doors

Deck stain designed for these purposes must be reliable and protect the surfaces from weather conditions, mechanical damages, and possess good decorative qualities.

Best Deck Stain: the Properties

Ultimately, all deck stains represent compounds that are capable of forming a protective film on the surface of the material. To extend the service life of wood, the deck stain must have a number of important characteristics:

1. Wear resistance. If you are planning on using the deck stain for your fence, walls or other vertical surfaces, and you want to save some money, choose a compound with an average wear-resistance value. For steps or terraces, which are highly susceptible to friction, we recommend products with increased resistance to mechanical damage.

2. Drying time. Usually, the drying time of applied deck stain depends on the base and takes about 24-30 hours. But there is also an alternative – a quick-drying compound that allows you to finish work within a few hours. Keep in mind: the instructions usually indicate several stages of drying: tackiness time (the timeframe during which dust and small particles stop sticking to the treated surface), the drying time of the first coat – preceding the finishing coat – and the time required to form a solid film itself.

3. Resistance to mechanical damage. Wood belongs to the category of soft materials, and all products used under the open sky require special protection.

4. Resistance to ultraviolet rays. The UV rays are the main reason for fading of paints and stains because they quickly lose their protective properties in the sun. Therefore, it is very important that the components of the deck stain include additives that increase resistance to UV rays.

5. Water-repellant. A tendency to decay is another “soft spot” of wood. And that means that deck stains must repel moisture.

6. Fire-proof. You must pay special attention to flammability factor, especially if the wood has not been pre-treated with special chemicals that protect the material from fire. The same applies to surfaces located in places with an increased risk of combustion, or those that are used in a high-temperature environment.

Deck stains may also contain chemicals that protect the material from pests, components that provide gloss or add matte appearance to the surface, and much more.

Types of Deck Stains

There are several types of deck stains, and every one of them comes with its particular properties, advantages and disadvantages. The choice of a particular product depends on the properties of the material, the service conditions of the product, and the desired result.

Oil-Based Stains

The main component in these products is purified, thermally treated oil that provides the required properties. The quality of coating depends directly on the quality of the stain base, thus we do not recommend purchasing cheap brands of oil-based stain.

The second component of these stains is synthetic or natural resin, and most of the compounds sold in stores today contain the synthetic one. The drying time in oil-based stains is quite long; so, our advice is to apply it during a clear day, at a temperature of 10 degrees C and above, and medium humidity outside.

Important: when applying an oil-based deck stain, keep in mind that the surface of the wood may slightly get darker.

Depending on the proportions of resin and oil, the compounds can be oily, semi-oily and short-oil. For treatment of external surfaces they use oily deck stains only (2 parts of oil and 1 part of resin), because they are resistant to weathering.

Such compounds include alkyd-urethane and polyurethane deck stains. The first type is used for surfaces that are constantly exposed to water. Alkyd-urethane stain creates an elastic film on the surface that maintains its solid appearance even when the wood compresses or expands.

Important: application of alkyd-urethane compounds requires mandatory priming of surfaces and precision during the process. The film that forms on the surface must be solid and dense. If moisture gets under the film, the wood will begin to deteriorate and the product will lose its authentic look.

Polyurethane Stains

Polyurethane stains are easy to use; they provide high-quality coating even if you are using it for the first time in your life. They dry quickly and protect the surface from friction, mechanical damage and ultraviolet rays.

Alkyd Stains

Compounds based on alkyd resins and solvents provide a solid, durable and reliable coating on the surfaces. It is not susceptible to chemicals, and therefore, you can clean the surfaces with any cleaning agents.

The disadvantages of solvent-based deck stains include a long drying time (about 24 hours) and an ability to change the color of the wood – after application the wood acquires a yellowish color.

Water-based Stains

This type of compound is based on water dispersion (for instance, acrylic) with a small amount of solvent. That is why it does not have strong smell and does not emit toxic fumes, and you can apply it indoors as well. Water-based stains come in a wide variety of colors and give the color tone you need, and it also preserves the unique structure of the wood. The surfaces treated with such stains are well protected from fungi, mold and microorganisms, and they look amazing.

Water-based stains are divided into two kinds:

Acrylic only (one-component compounds) Acrylic with polyurethane (two-component)

Two-component acryl-based stains possess improved performance characteristics and are not susceptible to weather.

Technical Characteristics of Different Types of Stains

Type of Stain Composition Average Drying Time Durability Oil Oil and resin, with an increased amount of resin to facilitate rapid drying of the compound, but reduces durability of the coating 24-72 hours High Alkyd-Urethane Alkyd resins, organic solvent, urethanes 2-4 hours Very High Polyurethane Base with hardener (two-component), base with curing agent and solvent (three-component) 4-12 hours Very High Alkyd Alkyd resins, solvents (white spirit, solvents), substances that accelerate drying up to 48 hours High Water-Based liquid polymer (acrylic dispersion), antiseptic, plasticizing agent 24 hours, but it takes 10-14 days to form the film Average

Important: ethanol-based compounds and nitro-varnishes are not recommended for outdoor use. Ethanol-based stains are intended only for restoration and carpentry, while nitro-varnishes have low water-repelling properties and can be quickly destroyed by UV rays.

Best Deck Stain FAQ

How do I prepare my deck prior to adding a stain?

As with paint or sealants, you always clean the deck of any dirt, dust or detritus prior to applying new layers to the surface. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure that all traces of prior chemical coats have been stripped off since these can adversely impact a new stain’s adhesion to the deck. Since these chemicals can occur in small enough amounts to be invisible, you’re recommended to perform the water test: sprinkle water all over the deck and take note if any of it beads up. If it does, there’s leftover product that needs to be power-washed off. If there are no chemicals present, the water will absorb into the wood instead.

Can I apply a stain to damaged and worn surfaces?

Yes. In fact, there are many stain products that are designed specifically for use with weathered decks, particularly those made of wood. Keep in mind that while these typically offer greater protection and mending properties for the wood, they are not viable for decks that are structurally unsound, collapsing or missing connective elements such as nails. You should perform the necessary repairs or replacements to your deck in these situations prior to adding a stain.

Is there any particular reason to choose a stain over a paint?

Stains are less expensive, easier to apply and rarely require a coat of primer before laying them down. This means that you can simply pour it onto the stripped and cleaned deck surface and even out the top layer of the application with a brush, spray or roller. Many stains don’t even require this much; you can sometimes just pour it over the surface and let it sit. Be sure to read the instructions for details into the chemical nature of the stain and how to properly apply a coat without damaging your deck or requiring a do-over down the road.

What exactly is the difference between a paint and a stain?

Stains are translucent or transparent and have a watery consistency that allows them to soak into the deck. Paints are typically viscous, opaque, powerfully pigmented and sit on top of the deck instead of seeping inside. Both have their benefits.

Conclusion

Even if you’re not wild about the aesthetic of your deck — be it hidden from view or simply not a priority to you — you’re still wise to apply a protective coat to it since this will protect the properties of the concrete or wood for the long run. Wood is especially susceptible to break down because it’s an organic material that’s prone to rot from the inside out due to water, pests and mildew. Not only are you protecting your deck but also the home itself from a pestilent or fungal invasion that was given ample leverage over something as easily overlooked as the porch or patio.

If you’re still not sure whether paint or stain is right for you, the real question to ask is whether you want to completely change the color of the deck with an opaque coat (paint) or simply liven up the hue with a watering application that seeps into the deck and protects it from all angles. As mentioned before, stains usually (but not always) can be laid down without primer, but this isn’t necessarily an important factor when working out what’s best for your deck. Also keep in mind that while paint is traditionally a more expensive option, chances are good that the deck itself is worth many times more than the difference in cost to get it looking and feeling just right.

Whichever way you go, professionals recommend that you always protect your investment with a chemical that buffers out rain, snow, temperature fluctuations, UV radiation and traversal.