Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993

What is the Best Way to Stain a Deck? Deck stains come in a variety of different types such as: Solid Color Opaque Stains Semi-Solid Deck Stains Semi-Transparent Deck Stains Transparent Deck Stains Oil-Based Stains Water-Based stains There is not a simple answer as to what is the best way to stain your deck without knowing the type of stain and yes, even the brand of stain. Best Way to Stain My Deck? Need help finding the best way to stain your deck? We are here to help! Just let us know in the comments below the answer to these simple questions, and will let you know the best way to stain and which application tools will work best for …

Why is my deck stain peeling? Deck stain peels because it did not penetrate deeply enough into the wood. There are three main culprits: The most common reason that deck stain peels is that a solid deck stain or clear sealer was used. These form a film over the surface of the deck that cracks and peels with wear. Overapplication of solid deck stains can cause peeling within a few months or even weeks. Semi-transparent deck stains can also peel when overapplied. The last reason that your deck may be peeling is improper prep before applying the stain. You must apply deck stain to a clean and prepared surface or it will not penetrate properly into the wood, causing peeling. …

Best deck stain for dog scratches? No deck stain is impervious to dog scratches. Dogs scratch up decks, it is just a fact of life as a pet owner. You should still stain your deck to protect it, but you will need to do more maintenance and more frequent reapplication than people with less harmful traffic. Best deck stain to use when you have a dog? DeckStainHelp.com experts always prefer semi-transparent penetrating deck stains, and pet owners are no different. Decks can be easily cleaned and re-stained within a day, making the additional maintenance less of a hardship. The wood grain showing through with semi-transparent penetrating deck stains hide more dog scratches than film-forming deck stains and deck paints that …

Best Deck Stain for Composite Decking While most composite decking is marketed as low-maintenance, older composite decks—especially those made from wood-plastic blends—can fade, stain, or grow mildew over time. When this happens, applying a deck stain can restore appearance and add protection. The best option for composite decking is a high-quality semi-solid penetrating stain. Top Pick: TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series Deck Stain The TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series is our top choice for composite decks. Here’s why: Excellent Penetration – Unlike solid stains or sealers that tend to peel on composite surfaces, the TWP semi-solid penetrates into the wood-plastic material, helping it last longer with fewer maintenance issues. Enhanced UV Protection – The higher pigment load shields against fading and sun damage. Moisture …

Best Deck Stain Reviews Video Since 2012 we have been reviewing, rating, and helping consumers find the Best Deck Stain here at DeckStainHelp.com. 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 than others, but there is not one that will outperform every other stain. In this video, we will break down what is the best deck stain and rate some of the top stains that we have used in the past 25 years.  

TWP 1500 Series Wood & Deck Stain Video Review This video will review our experience with using the TWP 1500 Series in the Cedartone 1501 color on a wood deck and how it performed after 2 years of exposure to the elements. TWP 1500 Series Wood and Deck Stain is a semi-transparent, oil-based, EPA registered wood preservative. TWP 1500 Stain is specially formulated to use on all exterior wood surfaces. Its outstanding UV resistant blend prevents wood graying and discoloration. It is commonly used on decks, fences, log cabins, wood siding, and cedar shakes. It is offered in 10 shades that enhance the natural beauty of the wood.

I’m often asked if you can use exterior stain inside a home. I’ll address why you can’t use outdoor stains inside a home and discuss the best alternatives. Key Takeaways Deck stains are not designed for indoor applications. Using deck stain indoors may pose health risks. For success with staining wood, choosing the appropriate stain for the specific type of project is a critical first step. Can You Use Exterior Deck Stain Indoors? No. Exterior and interior stains are specially formulated for their unique environments and aren’t interchangeable. Why Outdoor Stains Are Different from Interior Stains There are several reasons why you can’t use exterior stain inside. The chemical formulas used in deck stain are designed to face outdoor challenges, …

Best deck stain for high traffic? The best type of deck stain for high traffic decks are semi-transparent penetrating deck stains. Not all semi-transparent deck stains are penetrating. Penetrating deck stains are best for high traffic areas because they age and wear away rather than peeling or cracking. It is also easier to reapply new deck stain, often without removing the old stain. The best brands of deck stain for high traffic decks are TWP, Armstrong Clark, and Restore-A-Deck. How often reapply stain for high traffic? Even penetrating deck stains do not last more than 1 – 3 years regardless of the conditions that can age a deck. Reapplying a semi-transparent deck stain can be done when you first start …

Armstrong Clark Wood & Deck Stain Video Review This video will review our experience with using the Armstrong Clark Wood Stain in Semi-Transparent Cedar color on a wood deck and how it performed after 2 years of exposure to the elements. Armstrong Clark Wood Deck Stain is a highly regarded oil-based stain, formulated with 5 generations of stain industry experience. Armstrong Clark is available in several formulas: Transparent, semi-transparent, and semi-solid colors. Armstrong Clark Deck Stains are uniquely blended with drying and non-drying oils that isolate from each other during application. The non-drying oils penetrate the wood fibers and help rejuvenate and condition lost natural oils while the drying oils cure on the surface to lock in the conditioning oils …

Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Video Review How to Restore Your Deck all in One Day using Restore-A-Deck 3-Step System. This video will show you how to strip, brighten, and stain a wood deck Cedar color. This process frees up time for the average homeowner. No need to wait days or even weeks for the wood to dry or the rainy weather to cooperate to apply your deck stain. Available in 30 Custom Colors, the TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series will keep your wood beautiful, fresh, and looking new longer! The ease of application and maintenance will allow you to enjoy your investment for years to come. TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series provides a broad spectrum of weather protection, is water repellent, and aids in color …

Reasons to Stain and Seal Decks Deck staining is a very important process that improves the appearance of your deck and helps to protect it from the elements. A good quality stain can help your deck last for a much longer period of time than if left untreated. If left untreated your exterior wood deck will fall victim to the elements and will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Main reasons to stain your wood deck Deck Stain Appearance Protects Wood From Graying/Oxidation Protects from Mildew and Mold Water protection from rot Protects your investment Prolongs the life of your wood Safety reasons. Staining protects from rot and decay. See our list of the best penetrating deck stains …

What are the best deck stain colors? There are many deck stain colors and the optimal choice is up to the consumer. However, reviews on DeckStainHelp.com show these top deck stain colors in order of popularity: Cedar colors, Redwood colors, medium brown colors, dark brown, and grays. More information about deck stain colors Deck Stain Colors Deck Stain Color Ideas Deck Stain Color Photos