Use transparent deck stain? You should not use a transparent deck stain, especially if your deck is in full sun part or most of the day. Transparent deck stains do not protect against sun damage. The color in tinted deck stains protects the wood from graying in the sun. Transparent deck stains have only a small amount of tint. Semi-transparent deck stains like Armstrong Clark, TWP, and Restore-A-Deck provide more UV protection while still allowing the grain of the wood to show through. More information on transparent and semi-transparent deck stains Deck Stains More Pigment in Deck Stain Means Better UV Protection Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Reviews Why Penetrating Deck Stains are Best
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.
-
-
Best deck stain for splinters? The best deck stain for a deck that has splinters is a solid color deck stain. Solid color deck stain does not penetrate into the wood but rather seals it with a film over the surface. When splinters are an issue, a solid deck stain seals the splinters into the deck to prevent them from breaking off or injuring a child or pet. Solid deck stains can be reapplied with they begin to crack and peel to keep the wood as intact as possible. More information on solid deck stain for splintered decks When to use a Solid Color Deck Stain? Best Solid Color Deck Stains How to Reapply a Solid Color Deck Stain The …
-
What is the best deck stain for interior floors? You cannot use deck stains on interior floors. Interior hardwood floors are coated with a polyurethane stain that forms a film over the wood and protects its natural beauty. The polyurethane clear sealer is better than deck stain for heavy interior traffic. Deck stains are water-based or oil-based, and are very different from polyurethane floor stains. Can I use a polyurethane stain for floors on decks? No, you should not use polyurethane sealers for decking. These sealers are designed specifically for hardwood floors on the interior of your home. If you apply polyurethane stain to your deck it will be shiny and peel away quickly rather than protecting the deck. Polyurethane …
-
No, deck stain fumes are not toxic. Most oil- and water-based deck stains have low VOCs and meet most state environmental and health standards. This means that deck stain fumes are not considered toxic. Are deck stain fumes dangerous? Yes, deck stain fumes and odors can be dangerous if used without proper ventilation. It is important to have ventilation when applying any type of exterior coating. For example, if staining a screened or shuttered deck, open everything up before applying the deck stain or sealer. Which type of deck stain has the least fumes? Water-based deck stains have the lowest VOCs and are the safest to use. It is still important to have proper ventilation. More Info on Deck Stain …
-
Best deck stain to fill cracks? The best deck stain to fill small cracks in an old deck is Gulf Synthetics Deck Revive. There are other deck resurfacer options for old decks but they are largely ineffective. An old deck with larger cracks will need to be restored another way. Cutting out damaged sections and replacing them with new boards is an option but you’ll need to carefully blend the stain into the old and new boards for a uniform look. More information on repairing, hiding, and filling cracks in old decks Gulf Synthetics Deck Revive Review Behr Deckover, Olympic Rescue-It, Rust-Oleum Deck Restore – Do They Work? How to Blend New and Old Deck Boards Best Stain for an …
-
What deck stain do professionals use? Deck stain professionals use semi-transparent penetrating deck stains like TWP, Armstrong Clark, and Restore-A-Deck. Semi-transparent penetrating deck stains are best because they protect against UV damage while also protecting against moisture and mildew. The best semi-transparent penetrating deck stains are easy to apply, maintain, and reapply as time goes on. TWP, Armstrong Clark, and Restore-A-Deck deck semi-transparent penetrating deck stains last the longest. More information about the best deck stains from the experts The 7 Best Deck Stain Reviews and Ratings Why Penetrating Deck Stains are Best Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Reviews Why Penetrating Deck Stains are Best The Best Deck Stain Photos
-
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood. My 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 product choices. See here for more info about me. My favorite deck stain for a porch ceiling? My best deck stain for a porch ceiling is the same semi-penetrating deck stain you choose for the rest of the wood in the covered porch. Semi-transparent deck stains soak into the wood to offer a level of protection. TWP, Restore-A-Deck, and Armstrong Clark are the best semi-transparent deck stains for porch ceilings. Do …
-
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.
