Exterior Wood And Deck Help, Reviews, Advice, & Tips

Hi, I’m Scott Paul, a seasoned exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of expertise in exterior wood care. This article is one of my favorites because it breaks down all the different deck stains available, giving you the insights you need to make an informed choice. If you’re researching wood and decking stains, this is a must-read. Learn more about me here. What Type of Stain Should You Use on Your Deck? Choosing the right deck stain comes down to selecting a high-quality product that suits your deck’s condition and meets your specific needs. One of the most important factors to consider is the stain’s transparency or opacity, which ranges from clear, transparent, semi-transparent, semi-solid, to …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My Best Deck Stain reviews and help tips are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. Elevate Your Deck with Premium Wood Coatings Whether preparing for a DIY deck-staining project or looking for the perfect stain to share with your contractor, I’ve got you covered. I have rounded up the eight best deck stains available in 2025, including oil-based stains, water-based stains, and semi-transparent and solid options. Scott’s Professional Guide to Buying Deck …

Here, I’ve created a hub of featured product information and many of my reviews of deck stains, cleaners, brighteners, and more. I’ve created three categories: Featured products, other deck stain reviews, and specialty products reviews. Be sure to check out my latest recommendations on the best stains. Featured Products TWP 100 Pro Series Wood Deck StainThe stain is available in eight colors and works best on wood that is at least four months old (not new wood). It protects very well for two to three years without much discoloration and effectively prevents mold, mildew, and algae. Read. Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Stain Offered in five colors, this water-based stain protects very well against the elements for two years. Because it may be …

Exterior Wood and Deck Stain Colors for 2025 Looking for deck stain color ideas is a great first step in transforming the look and feel of your outdoor space. Whether you prefer natural wood tones like cedar, oak, or walnut, or want to make a bold statement with grays, reds, or darker espresso shades, there’s a color to match every style and deck type. Lighter tones can brighten up small spaces and show less dirt, while darker stains offer a rich, dramatic finish and hide imperfections well. By exploring color samples and testing small areas, you can find a deck stain color that complements your home, surroundings, and personal taste. Deck Stain Color Ideas by Type When choosing deck stain …

The Quick Answer: How to Stain a Deck   In truth, there is no “best or easy” answer for how to properly stain a deck. The process begins by choosing a stain suited to your deck’s current condition and your region’s climate. Next, you’ll choose the correct combination of application tools for the job. Although some deck stains provide substantial coverage, flaws and imperfections in the surface will likely remain visible at the end of your project. That’s why I tell people not to cut corners when preparing wood—the prep process is critical. I like to start by completely removing any existing coatings or stain, replacing any boards with severe damage, lightly sanding the surface to remove any splinters if …

Hi, I’m Scott Paul, an exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in deck cleaning and prep. My reviews and helpful tips are based on my extensive background as a wood and deck restoration contractor, as well as actual hands-on testing. I’m here to present you with the best product choices to ensure your deck looks great and performs well for years.See here for more info about me My Best Deck Cleaners for 2025 With so many deck cleaning solutions available in 2025, it can be tough to know which one will clean effectively without damaging your wood. Over the past 30 years, I’ve researched and tested a wide range of deck cleaners, comparing the …

Hi, I’m Scott Paul, an exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My review of the TWP 100 Series Wood and Deck Stain is based on my extensive background as a wood restoration contractor and hands-on testing. I’m here to share my expert insights and provide you with the best tips to get the most out of your deck stain projects.See here for more info about me. TWP 100 Pro Series Review for 2025 At DeckStainHelp.com, I’m proud that we’ve become the Internet’s go-to resource for everything related to exterior wood and deck restoration. Consumers who have used the TWP 100 Series wood stain have shared how their decks have withstood …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My Restore-A-Deck Wood stain review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain tips. See here for more info about me. Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Review 2025 This is our 6th Year for the review of the Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain. This review will be updated through the years with new pictures as the stain ages. In 2017, our first full year of using the Restore A Deck stain, we had no issues with performance and saved a tremendous amount of time with …

Hi, I’m Scott Paul, an exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My review of Armstrong Clark Wood Stain is based on my extensive background as a wood restoration contractor and hands-on testing. I’m here to share my honest insights to help you make the best choice for your decking needs.See here for more info about me. Armstrong Clark Wood Stain Reviews At DeckStainHelp.com, we take great pride in being the Internet’s go-to resource for all things related to exterior wood and deck restoration. Customers who have used Armstrong Clark wood deck stain consistently rave about the appearance and durability of their deck stain projects. If you’ve used Armstrong Clark on …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My TWP Semi-Solid Wood Stain review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. TWP Semi-Solid Stain Review 2025 Brand new is the TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series Stain! As always, we appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have them. New for 2025: TWP Semi-Solids are Now Available in a LOW-VOC version for all US States and Canada! Important Note: This review …

Hi, I’m Scott Paul, an exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My review of the TWP 1500 Series comes from years of hands-on testing and my expertise in wood restoration. I’m here to help you find the best deck stain choices based on real-world performance and quality.See here for more info about me. TWP 1500 Series Review At DeckStainHelp.com, we’re proud to be the Internet’s leading resource for everything related to exterior wood and deck restoration. For years, customers who’ve used TWP wood and deck stain have been consistently impressed with both the appearance and longevity of their deck stain projects. Whether you’re a seasoned user of TWP or trying …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My Review of Restore-A-Deck Solid Color Wood Stain is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. Restore-A-Deck Solid Stain Review 2025 This is my initial Review of the Restore-A-Deck Solid-Color Wood and Deck Stain. This review will be updated over the years. As deck restoration contractors, Restore A Deck Solid-Color Stain will be our go-to Solid-Color Stain for 2025 due to its ease of use, 5 pre-mixed solid colors (the only solid stain …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My TWP Natural Effect Impregnating Stain review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. TWP Natural Effect Impregnating Stains TWP® Natural Effect utilizes state-of-the-art European waterborne technology and is designed to revolutionize exterior wood maintenance… …while at the same time significantly enhancing performance! Spend more time enjoying your investment and less time maintaining it with TWP Natural Effect. Natural Effect is the superior way to beautify and protect your exterior wood investment! …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Wood Stain Review Here at DeckStainHelp.com, we take pride in becoming the Internet’s number one reference for all things exterior wood and deck restoration related. Today, we are reviewing Armstrong Clark in the Semi-Solid Colors. We have found that the higher the solid content, the longer the UV protection when using Armstrong Clark Stains. Armstrong Clark’s newer …

According to the Lumber and Building Materials (LBM) Journal, the U.S. decking industry remains incredibly resilient despite legitimate challenges. Recent tests included COVID-related material shortages, sky-high lumber prices, and the multi-year lapse in new home construction. The National Association of Realtors agrees that decks effectively “extend the livable area” of a home and are desirable to prospective homebuyers, resulting in approximately an 80% return on investment (ROI). In 2025, some of the outdoor deck design trends include creating multi-functional decks with features such as multiple levels, vibrant colors, eco-friendly options, and natural materials. Transform Your Outdoor Space with These Trends Here, I’ll explain many current deck trends reflecting the desire to create decks with functionality, practicality, sustainability, modern aesthetics, and …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood cleaning. My Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper with Additives review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. Update for 2025 Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster & Thickening Gel I would love to hear if you have used the Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper with the Booster and/or Thickening Gel additives on your wood or deck. Please post a rating in the Consumer Star Ratings below. If you have any questions as to the effectiveness of your deck or …

Hi, I’m Scott Paul. Since 1993, I’ve been specializing in prepping and stripping exterior wood decks. Over the years, I’ve tested just about every product on the market and have compiled a comprehensive list of the top wood and deck stain strippers. My reviews and tips are based on decades of experience as a wood and deck restoration contractor. Each recommendation comes from hands-on testing, ensuring you get the best product options for your needs. Looking for expert advice? Learn more about me here and discover how my experience can help make your project a success. The Best Deck Stain Strippers 2025 With over 30+ years of restoring decks as a contractor, I have done extensive research to find the …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior deck cleaning and stripping prep. My wood prepping help tips are based on my history as a wood and deck restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing. See here for more info about me. How to Prep a Deck 2025 This has become one of my most popular articles on how to prep your wood deck before applying a wood deck stain. In it, I will help consumers find the best way to prep their deck for an application or reapplication of a deck stain or deck coating. Not all scenarios are the same, and this article, with your input …