What is the Best Deck Stain?

This is the most popular question that deck owners have. Unfortunately there is not a “best” deck stain out there. There are products that are better then others, but there is not one that will outperform every other stain.

A better way to approach this common question is to ask, “what is the best stain for my deck and it’s environment”? Just because a deck stain performs well in the Northeast part of the country does not mean it will perform well in the high altitudes of Arizona. There are also VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Laws the come into effect for different parts of the country. This may limit what is available in your state. For example, TWP 100 Series cannot be used in 17 states that have a low VOC content of 250.

To understand a deck stain and it’s potential longevity we should first look at the main reasons deck stains fail:

UV rays from the sun will damage the wood resulting in degradation of the wood cellular structure. This will break down the stain while causing the wood to oxidize (turn gray).
Water, snow, and ice will cause damage to the wood by breaking down the exposed cellular structure.
Freeze/thawing will expand and contract the wood resulting in the stain “bond” with the wood cells to fail.
Mold, mildew, and algae will leave the wood unsightly/dirty and can result in rotting.
High traffic areas will leave “wearing” patterns.
Previous stain used was of low quality or applied poorly.
Stain was not applied properly or the wood was not prepped properly prior to application. Bad prep is the number one reason stains prematurely fail!

Tags: Best Deck Stains, Deck Restoration, Deck Restoration Help, deck stain failure, Deck Stain Help, Deck Staining, deck stains, Stain

2,551 Comments

Staining A New Deck

New Smooth Wood

Over the past year we have numerous questions asked on the site but none was asked more then “What stain or prep is needed for my new deck”? There seems to be an incorrect opinion among homeworkers that is is okay to stain new wood right away or even before the deck is installed. This is incorrect for most wood types and stain brands.

In this article we will cover the required prep and waiting period needed before applying a stain for the first time.

New Smooth Decking

New smooth decking boards are not porous enough for most stains to be able to penetrate properly. This is mainly due to:

Mill glaze when cut
High moisture content
Chemicals in Pressure Treated Wood

Tags: deck staining tips, new decks, prepping your deck, Stain New Pressure Treated Pine, Staining New Cedar

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Deck Stains

We have been getting great feedback here at www.deckstainhelp.com from all of the consumers who have been looking for better stain alternatives for their deck restoration. Our most popular article, “What is the Best Deck Stain” has quickly become the number one article on the web for asking questions and getting answers on restoring your exterior wood and deck.

In this article we are going to cover what actually is a “Deck Stain”. We will compare the many different types of decking stain options available and what are the positives and negatives of each.

Deck Stains

Deck stains are used to protect and preserve your exterior wood. They offer UV protection, water repellency, mold and mildew resistance, etc. Deck coatings come in many different types of opacity and bases. Many deck stain brands can be restricted in certain states, cities and counties due the VOC laws.

Deck staining can be a “chore” for residential homeowners and unfortunately walking into you local store may produce some of the worst options available. Not all deck stains are created equal and there is not a perfect stain type or brand that will out perform all the others.

Water-Based Deck Stains

Water based deck stain have come on rapidly in the last 4 years. The main reason for the vast amount of water based stains on the market today is related to changes in VOC laws across the country. Many states have adopted or soon will adopt lower VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) regulations. This has prompted stain manufacturers to increase production of water soluble decking stains. In our opinion, water-based deck stain are “thin” paints with varying amount of acrylic and pigment.

Pros: Water cleanup, less chance of mold or mildew growth. Environmentally friendly.

Cons: Do not penetrate like an oil-base can. Slightly harder to apply as they dry quicker. Can be prone to peeling and wearing. *Defy Stains are the only exception that we have tested. They penetrate the best of all water based stains, nearly as well as an oil.

Oil based Deck Stains

Oil based decking stains have been around for 20-30 years and have been traditionally what all stain manufacturers produce. Oil based stains are typically made up of natural and synthetic oils. Many contain oils such as: Linseed Oil, Paraffin Oil, Tung Oil, Rosewood Oil, Etc.

Pros: Excellent penetration into wood. An oil molecule is smaller in size then a water molecule. Better a deck stain can penetrate, the better the performance. Easier to apply. More natural looking

Cons: Stronger odors, longer drying and curing time. Some oils can promote the growth of mildew. Some oil-based stains will darken in color over time.

Tags: Clear deck finishes, Deck Restoration, Deck Stain Help, Deck Staining, deck staining tips, deck stains, oil based deck stains, Semi-solid deck stains, Semi-transparent deck stains, water based deck stains

103 Comments

What is the Worst Deck Stain?

Have you had a bad experience with a decking stain?

Our most popular article, “What is the Best Deck Stain” has become the most #1 article for consumers on the Internet for deck stain questions and answers. We have decided to create an article based on negative consumer feedback and experiences with decking stains.

We are looking for bad experiences with a particular brand of decking stain.

Please include:

1. Brand of Deck Stain

2. Type of Deck Stain (i.e. Solid, Semi-Transparent, Transparent, Semi-Solid)

3. Location and date applied

4. How long did it take for the stain to fail and how did it fail. (Peeling, Turned Black, Mold, Etc)

5. A brief description of your overall negative experience.

Note: This is mostly for fun and to allow you to vent your frustration!

Tags: Deck Product Reviews, deck stain failure, Deck Stain Help, Deck Stain Reviews, poor deck stains, worst deck stain

61 Comments

Latest Consumer Magazine Reports on Decking Stains

Latest Consumer Magazine Reports on Decking Stains is out again this year and we have been getting some questions as to why our ratings differ so much compared to their highest rated products. We have compiled a list of reasons why we believe our reviews and ratings are more realistic and honest examples of how a deck stain actually performs.

Contractor Restoration Network

We utilize a network of contractors who specialize in exterior wood restoration. All of these contractors are experienced in the trade of prepping and applying a stain to an exterior deck. Their combined experience utilizes exposure in 20+ states and with over 10,000 restoration projects for exterior wood.

Real World Testing vs. Accelerated Testing

Our stains are tested on actual decks with normal exposure to weather and traffic. Consumers uses an accelerated test on an individual board. This board is not exposed to normal everyday “real world” conditions.

Tags: Consumer Reports, Deck Stain Reviews

63 Comments

TWP 100 Wood and Deck Stain Review 2013

TWP 100 Wood Deck Stain

Important Note: This is our 2nd Review of TWP 100 Series.

See our first review of the TWP 100 Series here: TWP Wood Stain Review

TWP 100 Total Wood Preservative Deck Stain protects and maintains all exterior wooden surfaces. TWP Wood Stain is a special blend of chemicals in a contractor grade formula that safeguards and protects exterior wooden surfaces.

TWP 100 Wood Deck Sealers lock out water and moisture that causes wood to crack, split, and warp. Freeze damage is also prevented in cold climates.

TWP Stains are the only wood and deck stains on the market that are registered as exterior wood preservatives by the EPA.

TWP 100 Series Wood Deck Stain Scores (1-10)

Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 9

- The TWP 100 Stain was applied to a very large deck surrounding a pool. The wood was about 1 year old at the time and was prepped with the Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener kit. The wood was a knotty cedar and the Cedartone 101 color gave a rich look that is typical of a cedar stain. Knots and grain where enhanced and the stain dried evenly for the 2 coats that were applied to the floor.

Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 8

- Same as the first time tested, The TWP Cedartone 101 retained about 80% of the original color after 2 years of weathering.

Wear/Tear and Peeling: 8

- We found that the TWP did wear slightly in about 20% of the floor area. It was mostly in the high traffic areas that surrounded the pool. The upper level deck in the back had little to no wearing.

Tags: Deck Product Reviews, Deck Stain Brands, Deck Stain Reviews, TWP 100 Series, TWP Deck Stain, TWP Gemini Products, TWP Preservative, TWP Stain, TWP Wood Stain

67 Comments

Best Deck Cleaners

In this article we are going to cover what actually is “Wood Deck Cleaner”. We will compare the different types of deck cleaning options available and what are the positives and negatives of each.

Wood and Deck Cleaners

Exterior wood and deck cleaners are designed to clean and prep your exterior wood prior to an application of a wood stain. These cleaners come in many different concentrates with different ingredients. The main purpose of deck cleaners is to remove contaminants such as dirt, oxidation (graying), mold, algae, and in some cases, a very deteriorated stain that has failed. Deck cleaners are typically made up of caustics soaps that will aid in the scrubbing or pressure washing of your wood during the prepping process. Most deck cleaners will raise the pH balance of the wood resulting in a neutralizing acid (deck brightener) application to cancel the caustic of the cleaner, leaving the wood in a neutral state.

Note: Deck cleaners are not designed to remove old stains. You would need a deck stain stripper for this.

Tags: Deck Cleaners, Deck Cleaning Tips, Deck Restoration, Deck Restoration Help, Wood Deck Cleaning

35 Comments

Black Mold and Deck Stains

Moldy Deck

Black Mold and why it Grows in Certain Deck Stains

Exterior deck stains are subjected to the elements making them prone to natural contaminants. A deck stain is there to shield the wood from harsh weather and the damage it can cause such as rot and decay. In providing protection sometimes the deck stain itself can be compromised.

Black mold is one of the natural occurrences that can affect a wood stains effectiveness and longevity. There are several reasons why black mold can grow on or in a deck stain but here are the most common reasons.

Over Applying Deck Stain

When a deck stain is over applied to the wood it can affect the curing or drying time of the stain. When this happens the deck stain remains tacky for several days or longer allowing dirt and tree pollen to become embedded. Once these contaminants have intruded the stain they can attract and begin to grow black mold even after the stain finally cures.

Tips: To avoid curing issues by over applying a wood stain, work in small areas or one board at a time. Let the stain soak into the wood for several minutes then use a brush or a stain rag to wipe any excess drips or puddles.

Tags: clean mold of deck, Deck Cleaning Tips, deck mold, deck stain failure, Wood Deck Cleaning

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Reviews & Advice To Get Your Deck Done Right!

What is the Best Deck Stain?

Staining A New Deck

Deck Stains

What is the Worst Deck Stain?

Latest Consumer Magazine Reports on Decking Stains

TWP 100 Wood and Deck Stain Review 2013

Best Deck Cleaners

Black Mold and Deck Stains

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