This post was updated on February 23, 2024
The Best Deck Stain for Canada?
DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to resource for all things wood deck restoration-related. Since this article was first released, Restore-A-Deck Wood Stains was introduced to the market. It is a high-quality durable semi-transparent stain that is ideal for Canadian climates. Our go-to stains for Canada’s climate are:
Top-Rated Deck Stains Canada
- Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain
- TWP 200 Series
- Armstrong Clark Stains
- Defy Extreme Stain
Feel free to leave us a comment below with questions you may have.
What is the Best Deck Stain for Canada’s harsh climate?
Choosing a deck stain these days takes more things into consideration such as the environment. Many deck stain companies are being forced to comply with these tighter regulations or be forced out of business. Areas like Canada have stricter guidelines than other areas for shipping deck stain.
Obviously, Canada also has some pretty harsh weather that can wreak havoc on a deck stain. Long hard winters and large amounts of snowfall can deteriorate an unprotected deck in little time. So finding a VOC compliant deck stain that will hold up to Canadian winters can be a little tricky. To answer the common question “what is the best deck stain for Canada” we will take a look at a couple of different brands.
Top Picks for Canada Deck Stain
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain can be applied to dry or damp wood. Applying to damp wood allows you the ability to prep and stain on the same day, saving you a tremendous amount of time. In 2018, our first full year of using the Restore A Deck stain, we had zero issues with performance and saved a tremendous amount of time with the ability to prep and stain on the same day. The Restore A Deck Stains come in both Semi-Transparent and Solid Colors.
Defy Extreme is a water-based VOC compliant formula that is still durable enough for Canadian weather. Defy Extreme will outperform all other water-based stains on the market. This unique deck stain combines Nanoparticles and synthetic resins to produce a one of a kind formula that provides optimal UV protection like no other tinted transparent wood stain.
Defy is a penetrating stain that will dive deep into the wood pores so moisture cannot get in. This is an excellent choice compared to the film-forming stains that stay on the surface and would not hold up well to harsh weather conditions. Defy’s high performing, low VOC formula makes it a good candidate for the best deck stain for Canada.
Another great choice for the best deck stain for Canada is Armstrong Clark Deck Stains. If you prefer oil-based formula rather than water-based, then this stain is ideal. Its low odor oil formula is compliant with all environmental standards in Canada.
This unique formula is specially designed to revitalize the wood by replacing its missing natural oils. These oils are non-drying and condition the wood while the drying oils form a protective barrier on the surface. It will stand up to harsh winters and ensure maximum protection in a low VOC formula perfect for Canada.
Another semi-transparent oil-based option for Canada is the TWP 200 Series. Containing a paraffin oil, the TWP 200 series penetrates wood extremely well. Paraffin oil is a “non-drying” oil that enhances the wood cell’s structural stability. This greatly improves the wood’s life and appearance.
Need Help Choosing A Canadian Deck Stain? Ask Below!
Hi Scott,
We rebuilt a large dock and deck at the waters edge and spent probably around $800 dollars on Thompsons Water Seal stain only to have it peel and come off in many areas the first winter and this winter, the second one even more has come off. Staining all sides of the wood was a huge undertaking and not something that I want to have to do every spring. What product do you suggest I order, one that will last and do I need to sand the wood first and add a sealer after I restrain?
Thanks so much
Sandra
You should never stain all sides as that leads to dry rot as the wood cannot breathe. Your first issue to to fully remove the Thompsons. Post some pics in the comments for advice on how to do that.
Never add a sealer over a stain. It will peel if you do.
What’s the best stain we can buy in Canada rather than shipping from US? Shipping costs are very expensive.
Nothing decent that we know of that can be bought locally.
The best wood stain for Vancouver Island that has mold kill or protection from mold?
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stains or TWP 200 Series.
We have a older deck that has had oil based stain in the past (Cutex). We want to switch to a semi-solid or solid color and have been looking at your 4 recommendations. Restore-A-Deck and Defy are water based. TWP 200 series is semi-transparent (their other products don’t ship to Canada). Armstrong Clark has only two colors that could possibly work with our current house siding and deck railing. Do you have the next 4 best in the list?
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deckover-olympic-rescue-it-rust-oleum-deck-restore-do-they-work/
umm, the question is best deck stain that we can actually legally GET in Canada, please… at very best, we could mail order some of these ideas, but Ottawa has made sure we can’t buy them… it sure would be helpful if you ranked what we CAN buy… thx
The stains we suggest are legal to use and order for Canada. Nothing decent locally for pickup.
what are your reviews on CUTEK stain for decks?
We have not used it. There have been a handful of Canadians commenting on the site over the years about Cutek. Mixed reviews.
Where can I buy Armstrong Clark deck stain in Ontario
We do not know if you can. Check online for delivery.
It will cost me $150 to have a gallon of Defy stain shipped to my house. Is it that much better than a stain that I can get much cheaper at a local paint store?
Yes.
I appreciate your help I ordered 3 gallons of Defy stain. thank you
This site says best deck stain in Canada and features Defy stain as there forth pick and you cannot get this in canada.
Order online for shipping.
What are the advantages and disadvantages between a water-based stain and oil-based stain? Is one better than the other?
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/water-based-vs-oil-based-deck-stains/
Hi Scott, We just bought some white pine for my balcony and would like to know the proper product to apply. We applied sherwin williams super deck semi transparent stain and were not satisfied with the look. Before installing them I want to know if we can apply a solid stain on top and what product do you suggest? I was told that some solid stains do not apply well on white pine.Thank you.
You cannot pre-stain new wood. You need to remove what you applied and then properly weather and prep the wood. See here about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
Thanks for your response.
longest lasting solid oil stain for West Coast Canada, Deep Cove area
Solid stains only come in water-based versions now. Try the Restore A Deck brand: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-solid-color-stain-review/
I have stripped and clean my 19year old deck and want to restain it. What is the best brand of semi-transparent stain available at retail stores in Canada. Olympic, Behr, Beautitone, Benjamin Moore, Thompsons……
None of the brands you mentioned are any good. Sorry. You can read reviews on this site for all but the BeautiTone as we have not used that one. There have been other consumers complaining about it though.
Where can I order TWP200? I live in South Ontario. I cannot find where to order. What other band would we use? We would like to use transparent, or semi-transparent (nature) stain. Thanks.
Order online at http://www.twpstain.com
How can you say TWP is top rated for Canada if it is not available to purchase in Canada ? I need to know where to purchase these top rated deck stains.
You can have it shipped there. No quality stains are sold at your local big box stores.
where can I buy it?ì
Buy what?
Whats your thoughts on Premier Extra Semi-Transparent Exterior Stainfrom Canadian Tire?
I am thinking of getting that to do my deck after looking at home depot they only selling Behr and Olympic and also being time crunch almost the cooler weather (5-21*C) is coming in Saskatoon Canada. Just got a new place built in 2018 and is overdue for a stain and sealer. For best result is sanding then wood cleaner needed for this pressure treated wood 3yrs old? pictures of the wood below I’ve hosed it down so far.
Never used it so not sure if any good or not.
Put it on during Sept/Oct a little dicey into Autumn but it was in the 10-23*C range which was nice. The prepping of the wood definitely made the paint and wood filler bond to the wood and get the dirt out as well. Will see how it lasts and I’ll comment back to let you know with photos.
I used Thompsons Wood cleaner first soaking the wood with water then with a spray bottle sprayed the wood cleaner along to scrub the surface and agitate it with a nylon bristle brush from Dollarama (with a threaded pole). With canadian tire premier line they also have 2x paint brushes (2×4 and 2×6) that you can thread onto the threaded pole which made painting the deck too easy. It’s definitely thick paint, applied two coats on top and one underneath.
Looking back kinda want to spray paint in with a Wagner spray gun to get into the corners of the 2×2 better and ultimately save time. And also wait for better deals on paint, but for now I’m happy with the result.
First thanks for the awesome site and appreciate the responses.
What’s your top semi-transparent pick for new pressure treated deck? Thanks.
See this for new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
Hello, I live near Penetanguishene, Ontario. I have a huge old deck that needs to be restrained. I think an oil based stain was originally used, red wood colour. It was probably last stained in the early 90’s or earlier. Do I need to strip off all of the old stain or can I just pressure wash and re stain over. A lot of it is quite worn. I don’t know if a semi transparent stain would be alright, I don’t want any peeling. I sanded another deck at a house in Barrie Ontario and used a Cabot solid, and it peeled the next year.
Strip and pressure wash for prep. Brighten after. Use a penetrating stain like TWP 200 Series or Armstrong Clark Stains for Canada.
Thank you for your help! What’s the best product to strip and clean with? I also have some algae on the deck as well.
Restore A Deck Products: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-injectable-deck-stain-stripper-review/
Where can I buy the defy stain in Montreal Canada
You would have to ask them or buy online.
Do you have recommendations for stain that is actually sold in Canada? The stains you recommend are in the states and the shipping costs are really, really high.
No decent stains from what we can tell are actually sold in stores in Canada. This all changed when Canada changed their VOC laws. Only complaint ones that are decent are sold in the states.
I have a large 8 year old pressure treated deck in Saskatchewan. Temperatures are from one extreme to the other here. I believe it was covered with a solid stain which is quickly peeling off 5 years after application. I’d like to match the green colour of the old stain. How best to proceed? Will pressure wash be enough or will sanding be required as well? And your best product recommendation?
Use a deck stripper and pressure washer to remove as much as you can of the old stain. Brightener after. Cover the rest that did not strip with a new solid stain. Look at one of these brands: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
Hi,
We have a cedar cottage that was last stain with an oil base stain. Could you provide a couple of recommendations for best results. Its cedar strip / plank not cedar log.
Thanks
The Restore A Deck Wood stain or TWP 200 Series. Make sure to prep well by removing the current stain.
We live in Calgary, Alberta. We have a south facing 400 sq ft deck about 40 years old, and the wood is still in decent condition. We’ve had different people recommend various stains, such as Behr, Benjamin Moore etc. I see you often recommend TWP 200 Series or Armstrong Clark. What do you think of these other options or any others?
Thanks
Behr and Benjamin Moore are both very poor brands. Read the customer comments after our reviews for each:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deck-stain-review/
and
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/tag/benjamin-moore-arborcoat/
Hi. We live in New Brunswick in a log home. We have a large wrap around deck that desperately needs to be re-stained this summer. The last stain we used was 4 years ago and was SRD made by Sikkins…it was a translucent, one coat stain. We did not like it and it sure didn’t last at all. Now we are trying to clean all the black spots off the railing with Olympic deck cleaner…a slow process for sure. The deck is cedar, so we can’t pressure wash. Should we sand it all down after cleaning it? I would like either a solid or semi-transparent stain on the railing and a semi on the decking. What do you recommend for stain? One section of the deck faces south, one west and one side north. Thanks!
Strip and or sand to remove the Sikkens. Brightener last. TWP 200 Series for the floors and the Restore A Deck Solid stain for the rails.