This post was updated on September 24, 2025
I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in clear wood sealers. 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.
What Is the Best Sealer for Wood Decks?
Homeowners often ask, what is the best sealer for wood decks, especially when trying to protect against water damage, UV graying, and mildew. Deck Sealers typically come in two types: a clear sealer and a lightly pigmented Transparent Deck Sealer. Both types are penetrating and will thoroughly soak into the wood. The best deck sealers offer a balance of deep wood penetration, moisture resistance, and long-term durability. Oil-based sealers tend to provide better penetration, while water-based sealers offer eco-friendliness and easier cleanup. Top-rated options in 2025 include Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain, Defy Extreme Clear, and Armstrong Clark, which perform well in different climates and wood conditions. Choosing the right product depends on your deck’s age, exposure to the elements, and whether a natural or tinted finish is preferred.
In this article about the Best Deck Sealers, I will explain the major differences between the two types and offer our advice on which brand is best for each.
Things I Consider Before Choosing a Clear Deck Sealer
Are you trying to find the best clear wood and deck sealer? Here are a few things to consider when comparing options.
- Understanding Clear Deck Sealers
- Transparent Deck Sealers/Stains
- Read My Clear Sealer Reviews
- Ask me for Help with Choosing a Solid Color Deck Stain
Clear vs. Transparent Deck Sealers – What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Clear Deck Sealer | Transparent Deck Sealer |
|---|---|---|
| Water Resistance | Yes | Yes |
| UV Protection | Minimal | Moderate |
| Wood Grain Visibility | Fully visible | Natural look with slight tint |
| Longevity | 1 year | 1-2 years |
| Best for | Homeowners wanting a completely natural look | Those who want extra UV protection with a natural finish |
1. What is a Clear Deck Sealer
Clear deck sealers are not the same as deck stains. A true deck sealer is clear with no color. They protect the wood by weatherproofing it from water. They offer little to no UV protection, as the tint or color of a deck stain is your UV protection from graying. They have limited protection from mildew and mold. They need to be reapplied every 12 months.
My Pro Tip: While many people prefer a 100% natural-looking wood deck, clear sealers are typically not worth it since they will gray and oxidize within months. For more Info on Clear Sealers and UV Protection for Wood, click here.
2. Transparent Deck Sealers
Best sealer + stain for decks? Transparent deck sealers are light-pigmented stains. They will fully show the grain of the wood, and the color (stain) you choose will highly the wood grain. Many people choose to use a lightly pigmented transparent stain that will look like if wet with water when done. Since transparent stains have only a small amount of pigment, they tend not to last as long as richer semi-transparent colors. Lightly tinted transparent deck sealers have close to 30-40% solid content. They have moderately low UV protection from graying and will repel water for a short period.
My Pro Tip: When using the Best sealer + stain for decks (transparent deck stain), you should clean and reapply it every year to maintain the wood’s appearance.
3. My Best 2 Clear Deck Sealers
#1 Defy Extreme Clear – My Best Clear Wood Sealer
Where To Find On Google: Defy Extreme Clear
Pros: Penetrating Clear Sealer. Nano-technology for deep penetrating. Zinc oxide prevents mildew and graying of the wood much better than other Deck Sealers. Lasts longer than any other Clear Deck Sealer on the market. Allowed in all 50 States and Canada.
Cons: It must be reapplied every 12 months, much longer than other clear sealers.
Consumer Star Ratings:
DeckStainHelp.com Rating (On a Scale of 1-10): 8.125
See My Review Article Here: Defy Extreme Clear Review
#2 Armstrong Clark Transparent Stain – Best sealer & stain for decks
Where To Find: Armstrong Clark Transparent Sealer
Pros: It is easy to apply and enhances the wood’s natural grain. Armstrong Clark is one of our top three brands of deck stains and sealers for our customers’ decks in the Midwest. It is very easy to reapply as needed. Just clean, let dry, and apply another coat.
Cons: Moderate mildew protection for wet climates. Typically, this is not an issue, but we have seen a few cases.
Consumer Star Ratings:
DeckStainHelp.com Ratin (On a Scale of 1-10): 8.5
See My Review Article Here: Armstrong Clark Stain Review
4. Want Help? Clear Deck Sealer Questions?
Please ask below if you have questions about my article or need tips and advice on choosing a clear wood deck stain. Just post a comment below and include as much information as possible.
FAQ: What Is the Best Sealer for Wood Decks?
Q: What is the best sealer for wood decks in 2025?
A: The best deck sealer in 2025 depends on your specific needs, but top-rated choices include Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain for its ease of application and performance on damp wood, Armstrong Clark for deep penetration and rich finishes, and Defy Extreme Clear for a crystal-clear, water-based option with excellent UV protection.
Q: Should I use an oil-based or water-based deck sealer?
A: Oil-based sealers typically penetrate deeper and offer better long-term protection, while water-based sealers are easier to clean up, more eco-friendly, and dry faster. Choose based on your deck’s age, wood type, and exposure to sunlight and moisture.
Q: How often should I reapply a deck sealer?
A: Most quality deck sealers last between 1 year, depending on weather conditions, wood type, and sealer used. Regular maintenance checks can help determine when reapplication is needed.
Q: Can I apply a deck sealer over an old finish?
A: For best results, it’s recommended to remove any old stain or sealer using a deck stripper and brightener before applying a new product. This ensures better penetration and longevity.
Summary: What Is the Best Sealer for Wood Decks?
If you’re wondering what the best sealer for wood decks is, top options in 2025 include Armstrong Clark and Defy Extreme Clear. The best choice depends on your deck’s condition and climate. Oil-based sealers offer deeper penetration, while water-based versions are eco-friendly and easier to clean. Most sealers last 1 year and should be reapplied as needed after proper prep.
Scott, I have a large YellaWood treated pine deck built in December 2022. The deck has been sealed with YellaWood Protector Acrylic Hybrid sealer initially in June 2023 and October 2024. I am preparing the now for additional coat. My question is this. I have areas that have held up well with good beading and beautiful aging while other areas have no beading, graying with some mold worked into the grain. Do I recoat with the same, do I use a Yellawood Protector semi transparent or a different brand? The deck is cleaned and looks good but my issue is with the areas sill with good coverage and beading.
any help and advice is greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance
If you switch to a stain, you will need to strip off the current sealer down to the bare wood. You will have better longevity with a semi-transparent stain.
I have a deck that was last sealed 4 yrs ago with clear Benjamin Moore oil base.
Deck is 10 yrs old.
What to use to reseal?
Also can I use the same product on white cedar fencing?
Use this for prep:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/product/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit/
Then try the Armstrong Clark Stain or the TWP 1500 Series. You can use it for the fence as well.
What is the best type of stain to use on cedar decking. It is 2 years old and recently stripped of its previous stain and brightened/neutralized to receive a different stain.
Use a penetrating semi-transparent cedar. Any of the brands on this link will work for cedar:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
We are looking for an exterior stain product for cedar corbels we are putting up under our eaves. So sun fade & water exposure aren’t the primary concern – we want durable color with maximum longevity so we’re not reapplying. I’d appreciate some input since everything seems to focus on deck ratings.
Look at TWP 1500 Series or Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent stains for this. You need a tint in your stain for UV protection, not a clear sealer.
Just had a new red wood deck put in to replace my old one. Want to keep the color as close to new deck color. What do you recommend? Should I use a clear one or one with some tint? What brand and if tint which should I use to keep it as close to my natural wood color?
You cannot stain new wood rigth away:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
You must have a tinted stain for UV protection. Use a semi-transparent:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
I installed a new redwood deck. I let it age for a few months. Then I sanded it, washed it down and applied a deck cleaner, brushed it in, and washed it off, and let it fully dry. Then I applied a water-baser clear transparent sealer. No foot traffic for 2 days. And it looked excellent. About a week later, had a quick 20 minute monsoon rain. Water pooled on deck, no absorption. But then the water dried and I was left with water stains everywhere with light orange rings. See pictures.
What did I do wrong? This can’t be normal after every rain. I decided to hose down the deck and then wipe the water off with a ton of rags to hopefully wipe off the u sightly water marks. Some of them came up, some did not. When I would wring out the saturated rags, it rung out yellowish. Is that excess sealer?
Deck gods, help me out.
Your stain is not curring/drying correctly. What did you use? To fix you will need to remove and start over using a full curing semi-transaprent stain. You need a stain/tint for UV protection. Clear sealers will gray in a matter of months: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/will-a-clear-sealer-prevent-graying-on-deck/
FYI, sanding reduces absorption and could be part of the problem.
I used Olympic waterguard clear transparent sealer. Would temperature affect this? I live in the California desert. I applied early morning from 5am to 630am in 80 to 85 degree weather. Sealer dried by 8am. But it reached 90 by around 9, and 105 by noon. Could that affect the curing? The product said do not apply over 90 degrees, that’s why I did it early morning. Let me know what you think.
To redo, do I just pressure wash, re clean and re brighten, let dry, then seal again?
I doubt it. It is probably more due to the sealer itself or the prep. To redo, you must remove, which means stripping while pressure washing and then brightening. Tips:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/deck-stripping-removing-an-old-deck-stain/
Good day, I just installed a cedar fence and want to preserve the wet wood appearance. What is the best way to accomplish this? Thank you.
You need a lightly tinted stain. Look at Restore-A-Deck in Natural or TWP 1515 Honeytone colors.
My new pressure-treated deck is now one year old and I need to find the best product stain to apply to inhibit black mold for the longest period of time possible. The deck is practically in all shade all day and is already developing black mold spores. My last deck had to be power washed constantly and stain reapplied Every few years, ridiculous! Isn’t there a better product out yet that inhibits the growth of mold for a longer period of time?
FYI, it is normal to reapply a deck stain to a horizontal every 2-3 years. None will last longer. The key is to use a penetrating stain that can be cleaned and reapplied as needed. While no deck stain is immune to mold some do better than others. Look at the penetrating water-based stains like Restore-A-Deck. It will not “feed” mold growth like other stain brands.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain-review/
Also, look at this product after staining to help keep the mold off:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/rad-guard-mildew-cleaner-preventer-review/
Just had our deck stained with Defy semi transparent stain in Walnut. But now 3 months later, the water is not beading up like it did when first done. Anything I can do to remedy this ?
No, and that is normal. High-quality deck stains are not designed to bead water but shed water as they are breathable. 100% sealing your wood leads to issues like dry rot.
Ok. Great info. Thanks
HI, I just stained a newish pressure treated softwood deck (I now know I should have waited…) and would like to seal it over the stain – what should I use? My other question is similar – I have rough oak planters I tinted with 3 to 1 water/stain mix and I’d like to seal them too but have no idea what to use. I would need something completely clear so as not to alter the existing tone of the deck and planters. Any advice would be so appreciated – thanks.
You can never seal over a deck stain, it will peel.
Can you put polyurethane over Superdeck?
No, it will peel.
best clear stain or coating for refinished cedar deck. Wa. state….
Need to know!!!!
Clear will offer no UV protection from graying. You need a stain: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
I put a transparent deck sealer over my new deck (pine) after cleaning it with pressure washer. It now completely repeals the water but retains any dirt, even after using hose to spray off. What have I done wrong?
Used the wrong brand most likley. Probably need to strip and start over with something better. Also, see here about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
We stained our deck with grey Cabot stain and sealer 3 months ago on a new deck that had aged over the winter. We applied one coat and let it dry only 3 hrs. The deck is already full of brown spots from dog paw prints…..
We are going to power wash and restain the deck using the same product. Is this the right thing to do?
If we let it dry longer, will we be able to wash off the dog paws prints in the future
Dave schulman
Use a deck cleaner while pressure washing. Recoat. You can do this now or in Spring.