This post was updated on April 4, 2025
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking coatings. My Best Deck Stain Canada 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.
The Best Deck Stain for Canada in 2026
DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to resource for wood deck restoration-related. Since this article was first released, Restore-A-Deck Wood Stains was introduced. It is a high-quality, durable, semi-transparent stain ideal for Canadian climates. Our go-to stains for Canada’s climate are:
My Top-Rated Deck Stains Canada
- Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain
- TWP Semi-Solid LOW-VOC Stains
- TWP 200 Series
- Armstrong Clark Stains
- Defy Extreme Stain
Feel free to leave me a comment below with questions you may have.
What is the Best Deck Stain for Canada’s harsh climate?
These days, choosing a deck stain considers more factors, such as the environment. Many deck stain companies are forced to comply with these tighter regulations or leave business. Areas like Canada have stricter guidelines for shipping deck stains than other areas.
Canada also has harsh weather that can wreak havoc on a deck stain. Long, hard winters and large amounts of snowfall can deteriorate an unprotected deck quickly. So, finding a VOC-compliant deck stain that will hold up to Canadian winters can be tricky. To answer the common question, “What is the best deck stain for Canada?” we will look at several brands.
Canada Requires 250 VOC Deck Stains
Canada restricts decking stains and coatings and changed its limits back in 2012. The lower VOC changes mainly affect oil-based coatings. By lowering the amount of “solvents” that can evaporate into the ozone, you need to increase the amount of “solids.” This can cause issues with oil-based stains, which may have drying and curing problems. A few good oil-based stains are still allowed but are not as readily available at your local stores. You may need to go online to find them and have them shipped. Examples would be the TWP 200 Series and Armstrong Clark Wood Stains. If you choose water-based for Canada, ensure they are a true semi-transparent stain and fully penetrating. Many companies like Behr and Valspar will lie about the opacity of their semi-transparent stains, resulting in their coatings looking opaque.
Avoid Deck Stains in Canada at Big Box Stores
Avoid deck stain brands like Behr, Olympic, or Valspar, which can be readily available at your local Home Depot, Lowes, or Menards. These brands are not high quality, film on top of the wood instead of penetrating, and are prone to peeling in Canada’s harsh climate.
Olympic and Behr Deck Stain Failures
My Top Picks for Canada Deck Stain
1. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain can be applied to dry or damp wood. Applying to damp wood allows you to prep and stain on the same day, saving you a tremendous amount of time. In 2018, our first full year of using the Restore-A-Deck stain, we had zero issues with performance and saved a tremendous amount of time with the ability to prep and stain on the same day. The Restore-A-Deck stain comes in both Semi-Transparent and Solid Colors.
2. TWP Semi-Solid Low-VOC Stain
Available in 30 Custom Colors, the TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series Low-VOC 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.
TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series provides a broad spectrum of weather protection, is water repellent, and aids in color retention. TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series resists water absorption that causes warping, cracking, and splitting and prevents freeze damage in colder climates. Use TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series to Restore and Protect YOUR GREAT OUTDOORS!
3. Armstrong Clark Wood Stain
Another great choice for the best deck stain in Canada is Armstrong Clark Deck Stains. If you prefer an oil-based formula rather than a water-based one, this stain is ideal. Its low-odor oil formula is compliant with all environmental standards in Canada.
This unique formula revitalizes the wood by replacing its missing natural oils. The non-drying oils condition the wood, while the drying oils form a protective barrier on the surface. It will withstand harsh winters and ensure maximum protection in a low VOC formula perfect for Canada.
4. TWP 200 Series Stain
Another semi-transparent oil-based option for Canada is the TWP 200 Series. Containing paraffin oil, the TWP 200 series penetrates wood extremely well. Paraffin oil is a “non-drying” oil that enhances the wood cell’s structural stability, greatly improving the wood’s life and appearance.
5. Defy Extreme Wood Stain
Defy Extreme is a water-based VOC-compliant formula that is still durable enough for Canadian weather. Defy Extreme will outperform all other water-based stains on the market. This unique deck stain combines Nanoparticles and synthetic resins to produce a one-of-a-kind formula that provides optimal UV protection like no other tinted transparent wood stain.
Defy is a penetrating stain that dives deep into the wood pores so moisture cannot get in. This is an excellent choice compared to film-forming stains that stay on the surface and would not hold up well to harsh weather conditions. Defy’s high-performing, low-VOC formula makes it a good candidate for the best deck stain for Canada.
Need Help Choosing A Canadian Deck Stain? Ask Below!
Hi Scott. You have Restore-A-Deck as your #1 choice, but in your review you say that Defy will outperform all other water based stains on the market. If that is the case, why did you choose Restore-A-Deck as number 1? It seems that Defy may also be prepped and stained in one day. Thanks,
We like both brands but prefer the RAD Stain.
I am taking your recommendation and have ordered Armstrong Clark semi transparent stain for my new pressure treated deck (installed last summer). My question is, is there a deck cleaner and brightner available in Canada I can buy? Restore a deck I could order if I had to.
Thanks
I am not sure what is sold locally there and how effective they are for prepping. Sorry.
My deck is 2 years old do I have to sand the deck before staining
Use a deck cleaner and then a wood brightener for the prep.
Where can the top 5 stains be bought in new brunswick stores?
Sorry, but we have no idea. Check with manufacturer websites to see if available or not.
Do you recommend the Twp 200 series and the Armstrong Clark stains more than the restore a deck stain for a new deck just built Aug 2024 in Canada? My other comment below was also asking if now is a good time to stain before winter? It will only have been a couple months since we built the deck. Or perhaps we should wait till spring/summer 2025? Restore a deck was listed in your top 5 but I noticed you recommended twp & Armstrong in your comments below. Thank you so much for your help, I want to do it right the first time! 😀
All 3 are excellent stains.
We built a deck this past summer (Aug 2024)in Ontario, Canada using micro pro sienna chemically treated wood. Should we stain it now before winter or wait till spring/summer 2025? Planning on using your recommendation of restore-a-deck.
Spring is fine.
We have a deck made of fir. It has been stained a couple times, but now the wood on the one side where there is lots of sun and snow in winter is looking grey and black. What should we do to restore it?
Post some pics and what stain brand/type of stain did you use prior?
Great information you have provided. I live in Canada and want to stain my treaded wood deck than is now one year old. What is your recommendation for the type of stain I should use with our harsh winters and strong uv from sun. I do not want it to peel. I like the semi transparent look. Is it best to use the twp semi solid pro series to resist water, warping, cracking and splitting in our cold climate? or would you suggest the twp 200 series stain that is a non drying oil? Also do i need to wash the deck prior with any type of cleaner prior to staining it? Also is this a good month September to treat my deck Looking for your professional help. Thanks
We would suggest the TWP 200 or Armstrong Clark stains. Look at the semi-transparent colors if the AC stains. Both can be cleaned and reapplied as needed. You can do in September or October as long as temps are bove 50 F.
thank you so much
Hi. I used Ready Seal for my fence and it still looks great after 2 years, What are your thoughts for using it on a deck? It’s hard to find any ‘non-boxstore’ stain locally.
Thanks
We are not fans of Ready Seal for decks. It has issues with rubbing off on clothes and shoes and it fades very fast on a deck surface:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ready-seal-wood-and-deck-stain-reviews/
Hi,
where can I purchase the Restore-A-Deck in Canada
Buy from their website: http://www.restore-a-deck.com
My question is about restaining when needed. The trouble with refinishing decks is that while a lot of the old stain peels away easily, some always stays behind and prevents new product from sticking/penetrating. Ideally, I’d like a product that I can use now, then reapply in a year or two with maybe just a quick power wash and light sanding. Will the products in your “Best stains for Canada” behave like this? Thanks
You want a penetrating stain that can be cleaned and recoated as needed. Look at TWP 200 series or Armstrong Clark for Canada. They do not peel.
Do you ship to a P.O. Box (e.g the UPS Store in Ogdensburg, NY)?
We do not sell products from this site.
This is the deck right now
That is a solid stain. You would have to power sand to get it all the way off:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-sand-your-wood-deck/
Ok. I like it. Starting to check out some of your suggestions for stains .
Got a question for you guys. We bought a can of behr deck stain and sealer. The previous year it was sanded and stained a couple of women doing nothing but decks. Last year I resanded the deck , reapplied more deck stain due to the fact it was peeling. This year it is peeling again and I will have to redo it again. Please is there something that I have missed in the process.
Behr stains are garbage and peel on most people. You will need to fully remove it before recoating. If you would like tips on this, post some pics in the comments.
What is your recommendation for a semi transparent oil stain for a new cedar pergola? Preconditioner?Life expectancy? We live northwest of Edmonton Alberta.
Thank you
You can not stain new wood right away:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
As for what to use in Canada, try Armstrong Clark Stain or TWP 200 Series.
Hi Scott,
We rebuilt a large dock and deck at the waters edge and spent probably around $800 dollars on Thompsons Water Seal stain only to have it peel and come off in many areas the first winter and this winter, the second one even more has come off. Staining all sides of the wood was a huge undertaking and not something that I want to have to do every spring. What product do you suggest I order, one that will last and do I need to sand the wood first and add a sealer after I restrain?
Thanks so much
Sandra
You should never stain all sides as that leads to dry rot as the wood cannot breathe. Your first issue to to fully remove the Thompsons. Post some pics in the comments for advice on how to do that.
Never add a sealer over a stain. It will peel if you do.
What’s the best stain we can buy in Canada rather than shipping from US? Shipping costs are very expensive.
Nothing decent that we know of that can be bought locally.
The best wood stain for Vancouver Island that has mold kill or protection from mold?
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stains or TWP 200 Series.
We have a older deck that has had oil based stain in the past (Cutex). We want to switch to a semi-solid or solid color and have been looking at your 4 recommendations. Restore-A-Deck and Defy are water based. TWP 200 series is semi-transparent (their other products don’t ship to Canada). Armstrong Clark has only two colors that could possibly work with our current house siding and deck railing. Do you have the next 4 best in the list?
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deckover-olympic-rescue-it-rust-oleum-deck-restore-do-they-work/
umm, the question is best deck stain that we can actually legally GET in Canada, please… at very best, we could mail order some of these ideas, but Ottawa has made sure we can’t buy them… it sure would be helpful if you ranked what we CAN buy… thx
The stains we suggest are legal to use and order for Canada. Nothing decent locally for pickup.
what are your reviews on CUTEK stain for decks?
We have not used it. There have been a handful of Canadians commenting on the site over the years about Cutek. Mixed reviews.
Where can I buy Armstrong Clark deck stain in Ontario
We do not know if you can. Check online for delivery.
It will cost me $150 to have a gallon of Defy stain shipped to my house. Is it that much better than a stain that I can get much cheaper at a local paint store?
Yes.
I appreciate your help I ordered 3 gallons of Defy stain. thank you
This site says best deck stain in Canada and features Defy stain as there forth pick and you cannot get this in canada.
Order online for shipping.
What are the advantages and disadvantages between a water-based stain and oil-based stain? Is one better than the other?
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/water-based-vs-oil-based-deck-stains/
Hi Scott, We just bought some white pine for my balcony and would like to know the proper product to apply. We applied sherwin williams super deck semi transparent stain and were not satisfied with the look. Before installing them I want to know if we can apply a solid stain on top and what product do you suggest? I was told that some solid stains do not apply well on white pine.Thank you.
You cannot pre-stain new wood. You need to remove what you applied and then properly weather and prep the wood. See here about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
Thanks for your response.
longest lasting solid oil stain for West Coast Canada, Deep Cove area
Solid stains only come in water-based versions now. Try the Restore A Deck brand: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-solid-color-stain-review/
I have stripped and clean my 19year old deck and want to restain it. What is the best brand of semi-transparent stain available at retail stores in Canada. Olympic, Behr, Beautitone, Benjamin Moore, Thompsons……
None of the brands you mentioned are any good. Sorry. You can read reviews on this site for all but the BeautiTone as we have not used that one. There have been other consumers complaining about it though.
Where can I order TWP200? I live in South Ontario. I cannot find where to order. What other band would we use? We would like to use transparent, or semi-transparent (nature) stain. Thanks.
Order online at http://www.twpstain.com
How can you say TWP is top rated for Canada if it is not available to purchase in Canada ? I need to know where to purchase these top rated deck stains.
You can have it shipped there. No quality stains are sold at your local big box stores.
where can I buy it?ì
Buy what?