What type of stain is best for a deck? The type of stain that is best for a deck is penetrating semi-transparent deck stains. Penetrating deck stains soak into the wood to protect it from moisture and mildew, while the semi-transparent tint offers UV protection without completely hiding the grain of the wood. The best penetrating semi-transparent deck stains are TWP, Restore-A-Deck, and Armstrong Clark. More information on the types of deck stains for a deck The 7 Best Deck Stain Reviews and Ratings Why Penetrating Deck Stains are Best Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Reviews Film Forming vs. Penetrating Deck Stains
Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993
Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993
As an article and comment contributor to the site, Scott has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college. In 1993 he started his first company called Oakland Pressure Wash specializing in exterior pressure washing and deck staining. That company evolved into OPW L.L.C. shortly thereafter concentrating more on exterior wood and deck restoration. Scott and his Deck Cleaning Michigan company have restored over 10,000 decks in the Metro Detroit area since the early years. He has become an authority in the deck restoration industry and has contributed to numerous wood restoration forums and informative sites.
In the spring of 1996, Scott opened his first Brick and Mortar storefront in Rochester Hills, MI. Scott relied on his experience and stocked the store with the best wood restoration products available. The store quickly became the go-to place for contractors and homeowners seeking the best products possible for their deck maintenance needs. In 2002, Scott opened his first eCommerce site selling the products he sold through his retail store. This allowed him to offer eCommerce solutions to both contractors and homeowners alike.
Over the years, Scott has used and sold enough decking and wood stain to cover over 100 million square feet. In the past 10 years alone he has helped over 30,000 contributors on his sites with their wood restoration questions and concerns. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject and loves to help homeowners. His goal has always been to help consumers achieve better results through better products and better service than provided by a local big box store.
Scott is only biased toward the products that perform the best based on his own personal experience using the products and in his 20+ years of helping others. Scott has been approached about selling numerous different deck restoration products through the years but selects only the products he has used and trusts to perform.
All the products he suggests through this site are sold through numerous online sites and in retail stores, allowing the consumer to choose their own means of purchase. Scott's eCommerce sites do sell many top brands he endorses and if you appreciate any of the help he has offered then feel free to purchase from one of them. You can also contact the manufacturer(s) directly for help in locating products.
eCommerce Deck Stain Sites Operated By Scott:
- www.opwdecks.com
- www.TWPStain.com
- www.DeckStain.com
- www.ArmstrongClarkStain.com
- www.Restore-A-Deck.com
DeckStainHelp.com was conceived by Scott and is his way of giving back and helping promote the use of quality products for better results.
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Can deck stain be tinted? It is best not to add tint to deck stain. Deck stain comes pre-tinted unless it is a clear deck sealer or transparent deck stain, which are not recommended due to lack of protection against the sun. Semi-transparent and semi-solid penetrating deck stains come in a variety of tints and colors based on brand. If you don’t like the options, choose a custom color solid deck stain. More information about tinted deck stain Why Do You Need Deck Stain Color and Tints? Most Popular Deck Stain Colors Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Reviews Deck Stains in The Best Solid Deck Stains for
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Best deck stain with sheen? Deck stains should not have a shine. There are deck stains with sheen, but they do not wear well on most decks. Shiny deck stain forms a film over the wood that can easily crack and peel, ruining the aesthetic and weakening the wood. The best deck stains are semi-transparent and semi-solid penetrating deck stains without shine that give wood a beautiful look without sheen. Future maintenance with a penetrating stain is much easier. Just clean and recoat. If you used a shiny deck coating and it peeled, you would have to heavy strip and or sand for prep. More information on deck stain with a sheen Why Deck Stain Cannot be Shiny Can You …
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Do Deck Stains Harm Grass? Absolutely! It is very important to avoid getting your exterior wood and deck stain on your grass when applying. This can easily be avoided by using poly tarps and plastic sheeting to cover the grass and capture any overspray or drips when applying your deck stain. It is very important that you remove the plastic tarps as soon as possible when you are done! Covering grass for more than 30-60 minutes on a hot day can create immense heat under the tarps and “burn” the grass.
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What is the best stain color for a deck? The best stain color for a deck is a cedar tone deck. Cedar deck stain colors hide imperfections in the wood while allowing the natural grain show through. The best cedar colors for a deck are semi-transparent penetrating deck stains that soak into the wood, wear evenly, and are easy to reapply as needed. The best cedar stain colors for a deck are TWP Cedartone, Armstrong Clark semi-transparent Cedar or Mountain Cedar, and Restore-A-Deck Cedar. More information about best stain colors for decks Deck Stain Colors Best Stain for New Cedar Deck Deck Stain Color Ideas Deck Stain Color Photos Deck Stain Photo Albums
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How much will a gallon of deck stain cover? A gallon of deck stain will cover between 150-300 square feet depending on several factors. (The average deck is 200-400 square feet.) Proper preparation – Properly prepped and cleaned wood accepts deck stain easily. Age of the deck – Newer decks do not soak up as much stain as older decks. It is normal to need additional coats as the years pass. Application method – Using the right tools allows for even and thorough application. Wood type – Some woods are more porous than others, and more porous wood soaks up more stain. The biggest determining factor for how much a gallon of stain will cover is the type and brand …
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What are Valspar stain colors? Valspar stain colors include Cedar and other natural wood tones. However, Valspar is more of a thin paint than a true deck stain. Valspar stain color Cedar was tested by DeckStainHelp.com experts and given a rating of just 5.625 out of 10. Better deck stain colors are available from higher quality semi-transparent penetrating deck stains like TWP, Armstrong Clark, and Restore-A-Deck. More information about Valspar stain colors and other deck stain colors Valspar Deck Stain Photos Valspar Deck Stain Review: One-Coat Semi-Transparent Stain & Sealer Deck Stains The 7 Best Deck Stain Reviews and Ratings
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What type of stain is best for outdoors? The type of stain that is best for outdoors is a penetrating semi-transparent deck stain like TWP, Restore-A-Deck, or Armstrong Clark. Penetrating stains soak into the wood to protect it against moisture and mildew while the semi-transparent tint of the deck stain offers UV protection. Penetrating deck stains are easy to apply and maintain. Penetrating semi-transparent deck stains can be used on any wood outdoors including moldings, rails, and outdoor furniture. More information on stain best for outdoors Why Penetrating Deck Stains are Best Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Reviews The 7 Best Deck Stain Reviews and Ratings Wood Stain Guide for Beginners
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Do you need two coats of semi-transparent deck stain? Whether or not you need two coats of semi-transparent stain depends on several factors. Different brands of semi-transparent deck stain have different application instructions. Apply a second coat when the deck stain instructions indicate you should do so. Some decks need two coats depending on the color, type, age, and condition of the wood, what type of stain was previously used, and proper maintenance. Most semi-transparent penetrating deck stains do not need a second coat on well maintained and prepared decks. New decks typically only accept one coat of deck stain as it is harder for the semi-transparent stain to penetrate into newer wood. More information about applying two coats of …
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What deck stain to use? The best deck stain to use is a semi-transparent penetrating deck stain. The best brands of semi-transparent penetrating deck stains are TWP, Armstrong Clark, and Restore-A-Deck. These semi-transparent deck stains are easy to apply and soak into the wood to protect it. The small amount of pigment in these deck stains protects against UV rays while allowing the natural grain and beauty of the wood to show through. Semi-transparent penetrating deck stains wear away naturally and are easy to recoat. More information on best deck stains The 7 Best Deck Stain Reviews and Ratings Find the Best Wood Deck Stain: Top-Rated Products for All Needs Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Reviews Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Photos More …
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Non slip deck stain? The best deck stain to use for a non slip surface is a semi-transparent penetrating deck stain. This type of deck stain protects the deck just like a solid stain but leaves the wood grain bare. This means that the surface is a bit rough like lumber even though it is protected. A solid deck stain forms a film over the surface of the deck that can be slippery when wet. DeckStainHelp.com experts do not recommend making solid deck stains non slip with sand or other grit. More information about non slip deck stains The 7 Best Deck Stain Reviews and Ratings Why Penetrating Deck Stains are Best Best Wood Stain for Pool Decks
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Deck stain looks too orange? If deck stain looks too orange you have probably used a “Cedar” color of deck stain. These can make a deck look orange or like caramel. A deck stain that is too orange for your liking should be stripped and stained with a new coat of a brown or grey semi-transparent penetrating deck stain rather than the cedar color. More information about orange deck stain and other deck stain colors Deck Stain Colors Deck Stain Color Ideas Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Photos
