This post was updated on April 27, 2026
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 information. Since this article was first released, Restore-A-Deck Wood Stains has been 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
- CUTEK Extreme Oil Finish
If you’re comparing options beyond cold-weather performance, see our full breakdown of the best deck stain choices for all wood types and climates.
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.
Best Types of Deck Stains for Canadian Weather
- Penetrating Oil-Based Stains → Best overall durability
- Semi-Transparent Stains → Balance of appearance and protection
- Semi-Solid Stains → Better UV protection, longer lifespan
- Solid Stains → Maximum protection but higher maintenance risk
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.
| Image | Title | Price | Add to cart | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $51.99 | |||
 | Price range: $239.99 through $257.99 |
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. CUTEK Extreme Wood Oil Finish
CUTEK® Extreme is a high-performance penetrating wood oil and stabilizer designed to protect exterior wood from the inside out while enhancing its natural beauty. Unlike traditional wood stains that form a surface film, CUTEK® Extreme diffuses deeply into the wood fibers to help control moisture movement, improving dimensional stability and reducing issues such as cupping, warping, and splitting. Because it penetrates the wood rather than forming a brittle surface coating, it will not peel or flake and is easy to maintain—simply clean and reapply when needed.
| Image | Title | Price | Add to cart | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Price range: $114.99 through $669.89 | |||
 | $10.00 |
FAQs: Best Deck Stains for Canada
What type of deck stain is best for Canadian climates?
Penetrating oil-based or hybrid stains perform best in Canada due to extreme temperature swings. They soak into the wood instead of forming a surface film, reducing peeling and cracking during freeze-thaw cycles.
Should I use water-based or oil-based deck stain in Canada?
Oil-based stains tend to perform better in colder climates because they penetrate deeper and handle moisture better. However, newer low-VOC hybrid formulas can also perform well depending on the brand.
How often should I restain my deck in Canada?
Most decks in Canada need reapplication every 1–3 years depending on exposure, traffic, and product used. Harsh winters and UV exposure shorten lifespan.
Can I stain my deck before winter?
Yes, but only if temperatures are above 50°F (10°C) during application and drying. Late spring and early fall are typically the best times in most Canadian regions.
What stain color lasts the longest in Canada?
Darker and more pigmented stains (semi-solid or solid) last longer because they provide better UV protection. Lighter transparent stains fade faster.
Do I need to prep my deck before staining?
Yes. Proper prep is critical:
- Clean and remove dirt/mildew
- Strip old coatings if needed
- Brighten the wood for better absorption
👉 See: Deck Cleaning and Brightening
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/cleaning-wood-deck/
👉 How to Prep a Deck
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-deck-prep-clean-strip-or-sand-the-deck/
Pros and Cons of Deck Stains for Canada
Pros
- Handles extreme weather better (when using penetrating stains)
- Easier maintenance with recoat-friendly products
- Better moisture resistance vs. film-forming coatings
- Can enhance natural wood grain (semi-transparent options)
- Wide range of VOC-compliant products available
Cons
- Shorter lifespan due to harsh winters
- More frequent maintenance required (1–3 years)
- Limited availability of some oil-based products due to VOC laws
- Lighter colors fade faster in strong UV conditions
- Improper prep leads to faster failure
Additional Helpful Resources
👉 Best Deck Stains
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
👉 Deck Stain for New Wood
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
👉 How to Stain a Deck
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-stain-a-deck/
Need Help Choosing A Canadian Deck Stain? Ask Below!
I am in Newfoundland
Where can I buy two or Armstrong in Canada?
Buy online or contact manufacturers for help.
Hey. I am looking for same info!!!
I’m in need to re staining our deck the previous owners painted/stained it saying it was cedar – false our loss. Extended it a bit so additional wood is newer (pressure treated)
The current stain/coating is peeling and with kids I don’t like it.
I’m thinking of sanding the whole deck and then putting on a stain/full coverage coat what would you suggest for this? Or what is best way to go about this?
We are in London, Ontario
Thank you
Sand to remove the painted coating. Clean and brighten the wood after. Stain with Armstrong Clark or TWP 200 Series.
I have a semi-inground pool with red cedar wood which I used behr with bad results. What semi-transparent stain would be best? I was advised to use Cabot oil stain. Is Defy Extreme a good option for the type of dense wood?
Defy Extreme or Armstrong Clark. You will need to prep by removing all the Behr first.
I want to confirm that defy extreme will out last and out perform Cabot oil stain on my cedar semi-inground pool? I’m double checking because stripping the old Behr is a huge job and don’t want to redo it next year…Thanks for your comment
Yes, it should.
How many coats should I apply?
2 coats applied wet on wet.
We have a pressure treated wood deck. We live in the Vancouver area of British Columbia. We have a moderate amount of rain. The deck faces south and sees a lot of sun and heat in the summer months. What stain would you recommend?
Try the TWP 200 Series or Armstrong Clark.
If I’ve used a solid deck renew from Behr and it’s peeling off in areas what can I use?
You will have to power sand this to fix this.
Where do you get these products?
Seems that neither Rona, Home Depot, Home Hardware, not even Amazon sell these.
Check online.
We are in north Ontario and are resurfacing a cedar deck that is 15 yrs. old and has been stained at least 4 times previously. The last time with an opaque stain. We sanded last July and now want to stain again. See pic. From your research articles we feel that our best bet in Canada is Armstrong Clark. Is that right? Also would the stripper remove the remaining stain? We will then use a wood brightener. The area is 800 sq. ft. – how much stripper, brightener, and stain would we require. Also should we put on 2 coats, any advantage? Thanx, Gerry
You will need to sand off all of the solid opaque stain as stain strippers will not remove this. Once fully sanded, clean and brighten the wood for the final prep. You will then be able to use the Armstrong Clark. Just one coat. About 5 gallons of stain.
When they banned oil I switched to a hybrid with bad results. Stain wore off where we walk, peeled in other places and now I have some grey boards. I assume I will have to sand but what product should I use to restrain. Loved my old oil stain. 😢
Oil-based stains are not banned in Canada. They just have to be VOC compliant. The Armstrong Clark and TWP 200 Series are both oil based and allowed in Canada.
Where can i buy this stain in Ontario?
I bought mine at Randall’s paint. They are situated in Ottawa, not sure if they have stores in other citie.
Hi Julie, I checked their website – I am in Ottawa, too – but don’t see Armstrong or TWP listed as one of the brands they sell. What brand did you buy from them, C2? Has it worked? We have a 1 year old still beautiful colour red cedar deck and we want to seal it without a colour stain – if it ever stops raining…
Hi Mary, I bought the C2 guard, I believe it comes clear…that stain is amazing and very easy to apply…you actually have to mist your wood with water , apply your stain, wait 15 minutes and apply your second coat…it is expensive but well worth the price…I hope this helps
Yes it does, thanks Julie, needed to hear it from someone who used it, and used it here in this environment. We have had a 3 week delay sealing the deck as we purchased a cleaner first and it completely ruined the wood. Left a white pulp EVERYWHERE and when we tried to get that off we now have a part pulp/part almost like silver paint. We have been on hands and knees with orbital sanders trying to get the wood back. What was supposed to be a relatively painless “quick clean then seal and enjoy a 1 year old deck” project turned into a 3 weekend labour intensive nightmare. For obvious reasons we are researching the heck out of seals/guards/stains. So yes, much thanks for the help!
Hi, the hardwood/IPE stains you sell…Are they semi-transparent stains? Can we use this stain on white cedar?
We do not sell products from this site. Hardwood stains can be used on other wood types in most cases.
I need a stainer for an IPE wood deck (several months old, never been stained), but been told that I should not use TWP 200 for that particular wood in Canada. The 1500 series would have been fine, but not legal in Canada! Do you have any other recommendation? Thank you.
Armstrong Clark in one of their hardwood colors.
What stores carry Defy, Armstrong, and TWP 200?
I live in Thetford Mines Quebec
Contact manufacturers or check online.
Looking for a clear stain for my deck that is sold in Canada all the ones you recommend I have to order.
Which is the best to buy from Homedepot, Rona or Lowes in Canada
Nothing is decent from Lowes or HD. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/deck-stain-quality-at-lowes-or-home-depot/
Sorry but never been to Rona.
What about Sansin or SuperDevk from Sherwin Williams?
Do I want to use an oil base or water base?
Super Deck turns black and has curing issues. You can read reviews on this site from us and consumers. We do not have any experience with Sansin.
it would be nice to be able to have your products from Canada without having yo paid for shipping.
Best to contact the stain manufacturers about this. Has nothing to do with us.
Hi. We have a west, north west facing deck, pressure treated on a river. We have tried many brands of stain and they always peel. We thought of trying Australian Cabot Stain this year…..what would you recommend? Trenton/ Frankford area
Look at the TWP 200 Series or the Armstrong Clark.
I was watching an episode of “This Old House” on tv and Tommy DaSilva said that he prefers to use an oil based stain in which he mixes a quart of varnish or Urethane with a gallon of of oil based deck stain. In your opinion is this a good idea and if so what is it’s purpose?
You cannot add a varnish to a stain. It will ruin the stain and void the warranty. That is bad advice.
I have a cedar deck facing south.I have stained it twice and painted it once.All three times to product peeled off in a year or less.
You will need to remove all down to the bare wood and that will require power sanding.
North facing PT deck built a year ago about the first 3′ from the house is shaded all the time. Grass always had moss on it. Deck is showing some signs of mildew starting. Looking for a cedar colour. Windsor Ontario canada area.
Try Armstrong Clark in semi-cedar color.
Wondering if you or others have any experience with C2 Guard for exterior use including protected decks.
Sorry but no. Never seen it in the US.
Maybe the is true for all water bases wood protectors but my experience with C2 Guard is that it is simple to apply and will last at least 2 years before it starts to wear. You can then just pressure wash the dirt off and recoat the deck. I have a 16×15 cedar deck and the recoat takes about 90 minutes and cleaning about 30 minutes. Cost under $100 (Canadian) to recoat. The original C2 Guard took 3 gallons but the recoat 3 years later 1 gallon. Stripping the deck of the original oil based stain that was pealing off after 1 season took 2 people 8 hours.
Looking for the best stain that I can get in a grey tone in Alberta, Canada. I planning on refinishing my deck this spring as the previous owners appear to have used a cheap solid type paint/stain that it peeling off like crazy. ArmstrongClark doesn’t appear to come in a grey tone and TWP 200 has a slate grey which is more of a beige by the looks of it. Are their any other options you’re aware of?
Armstrong Clark comes in Driftwood Gray.
regarding my previous post that I have just sent. I should have specified that Ottawa, Ontario is in Canada. Thanks
I, I would like to know which deck stain you recommend. We are building a new 10×32 feet treated brown wood. It is for our stationary rv near Ottawa, Ontario. It will be at 18 or 24 inches from the ground.
I think that as I have seen on your website, it would be appropriate to wait at least 4 months before applying any stain on it? What do you recommend best for our situation (which best stain to apply and what we should do before. Since that it is a new deck. We have almost always sun during the day also.
Thanks to let us know. Would be very appreciated.
Try the Armstrong Clark or the Restore-A-Deck Wood stains after the wait and prep.
What is your opinion on the Sikkens deck stains? I can’t seem to find the defy or armstrong in calgary so I’m wondering if the sikkens should do ok or if I should ship one of the others in
We have never been fans of Sikkens. You can find reviews on our website on it.
Looking for recommendations for a Cedar deck.
I really like the look of the wood when it rains; that “wet look shine,” is what I’d like the deck to look like, but it seems like everybody has a different opinion on a cedar deck stain. Please help.
Try Armstrong Clark in Amber color for this look.
I have been told that Flood deck stains are very good for Canadian winters and summers. I live in Calgary AB.
Do you agree with this information?
No. Flood CWF Semi-transparent is an average stain now. Used to be an excellent stain 15 years ago before they changed the formula.
I can’t find anywhere to buy Armstrong or Defy in Ontario? Would you know of a distributor in Canada??? Thx
Probably need to order online and have it shipped. Best to contact them directly for help.
The best stain I have seen so far that does not peel and is easy to apply is Readyseal. Every other stuff I tried is high maintenance and quite often peels.
We are big believers in penetrating stains and Ready Seal is one of them. The issue we have with Ready Seal is it has poor UV resistance compared to the others. See this for our top brands that are all penetrating. Ready Seal is #6 on the list: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Ever heard of Sansin wood stain? Is it comparable to Armstrong or Defy? I live in Ottawa and we struggle to find anything that will last more than a year on or decks. Thanks
Heard of it but never used it. Seems like most stains that can be baought locally in Canada have proven to not be that great. Many buy from the states or drive over and get it if close to the border.
What colors do you have?
Depends on the brand of stain you are using?
Hi there. Great article and helpful comments below. What would you recommend for staining a spruce treehouse? Location Toronto, ON
Armstrong Clark or Defy Extreme Stains.
After reading the articles on your site, I have decided to use Armstrong Clark stain and to strip the old stain off with RAD stripper – But would like your thoughts. …… The existing stain is Olympic Maximum semi-transparent Stain and Sealer. Says “4 year” on label. Water based. Bought in Canada 2 years ago. Leaves a coating on the wood that peels every winter. Will RAD stripper take this off or will I have to sand as well? Or is there a stripper more suited? Thanks!
It should remove most. It is easier to strip off what you can and then sand if needed the rest. Make sure to brighten when done.
Thanks. This deck is large and surrounds a pool – about 1800 SF of surface area. I thought I would strip it this fall, to split up the work, especially if I end up having to sand as well. So the plan would be to use RAD Stripper and then Brightener this fall. What would I need to apply in the spring before staining? Should I apply a Cleaner and Brightener combo in the spring before staining?
Yes, that would be correct. If you need to do any sanding, do it in the Fall.
OK, Thanks – so I stripped and sanded all of it. The plan is to apply RAD cleaner and brightener and then stain in the summer. But someone said to me that it will be a problem to leave the wood unprotected all winter. I assumed it would gray and that the cleaner would fix that. Will I have to sand it again then? Should I cover it with plastic? Or is it OK just to leave it open to the rain and snow?
It will gray but the prep will remove it. Do not cover. It will be fine through one Winter.
Need recommendations for the use of tung oil transparent stain on a deck Tried it on a small deck and turned out great, so far. Want to do it on a large deck with the same thing. Is tung oil lasting without peeling and easy to re-cover within a couple years? Previously used Behr and it turned out to be a nightmare!
Had to totally strip and sand the whole deck !
Tung oil by itself or a deck stain that has tung oil in it?
Cottage located in Southern Ontario, Knotty pine siding previously coated with “Sunshield” linseed oil based finish. Product molded severely and started to crack, although lifespan was good. Stripped with great difficulty using a combination of chemical and sanding, although some traces remain in knots and bottom profiles of boards. About to clean and brighten.
Hoping to avoid future issues with mold, and looking for semi transparent stain that will be easier to remove if and when necessary.
Which product would you recommend in this particular case? Should we go with oil based?
TWP 200 Series or Armstrong Clark.
I just finished putting a new ceder wood decking and I would like to stain it as soon as I could. I live in Calgary. how long should I wait for and what kind of stain should i use and how to preps the deck for staining? Could you please help me so that I don’t waste time and money. Thanking you in advance
See this about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
I’m in Vancouver BC and I have a new cedar fence. I want to preserve the way it looks now. What is the best clear transparent stain I can get?
Try the Defy Extreme Clear.
We spent a great deal of time resealing our deck last year with Thompson’s Water Seal in Nutmeg and it looked amazing. Sadly, this spring, we watched most of it peel off. Needless to say, this is quite devastating as the deck is large! We are going to reseal again but are wondering if we should just use a stripper, a pressure washer and then reseal with a solid stain instead of semi-transparent. Would this be the best route for us?
The first two photos are from August 2016, just after we finished staining. The third photo is how our deck looks now 🙁
Thompsons is a filming acrylic stain. This means it dries on top of the wood. After the Winter, it starts to peel. The best route is to fully remove this product by stripping and power sanding. After removal, use a true semi-transparent penetrating stain. This means it will not peel and future coatings can be reapplied as needed with a cleaning as the prep. Look at TWP 200 Series or Armstrong Clark.
All I want is a semi transparent stain in black that will penetrate and not leave a shiny surface that will peel off and require sanding when It is time to restain. Who wants to sand a deck or a fenc?
Semi-trans do not come in black. Darkest would be the Black Walnut by Amrstrong Clark.
I have an 8 yr old cedar deck – never been stained – and now of course I need to replace some of the boards due to rot. Deck has been cleaned and brightened but due to dif. colour boards I figure solid stain is the way to go. My cottage is in Muskoka, I live in Mississauga so what would you recommend that I can get at a store, not online, with the most lasting durability Thanks,
For a solid stain, look for Flood Solid Stains. We do not live in Canada so not sure to its availability there.
We will be installing a new western red cedar pergola and want the cedar to remain red. What stain should I use here in wet Nova Scotia? Thank you!
Try the Armstrong Clark brand.
Do you recommend using a brightener or cleaner or both after stripping the old stain off? My understanding was that once you sand the area it must be kept dry. If the sanded area gets wet then you would have to sand it again. Is this correct? I have it covered with a tarp right now due to rain in the forecast.
The deck was stained last year in a semi-transparent wood stain and sealer and this harse winter and high level of UV exposure has stripped away the stain. Would you recommend a transparent penetrating oil wood finish stain? Once you use an oil wood stain can you switch to a regular semi or solid stain?
Thank you!
No. The wood can get wet after sanding. No need for the tarp. Just make sure it is dry before applying the stain. After stripping, brighten the wood. Use a penetrating semi-transparent stain for this.
Thank you. This is very helpful!
what do you think of C2 stain?
Never heard of it.
I just used it on a new brown pressure-treated deck. The deck sat for the hot summer in a south facing yard first for 3 months. Although I found it finicky to apply, I like the results. It does soak in and is not a surface application. The old deck was 30 years old and any stains previously tried peeled in the hot sun over the years. C2 doesn’t peel, soaks in and I can re-apply without stripping or sanding. We shall see.😀
I want to stain cedar boards. They have been outside for almost a year with nothing on them. I am in southwestern Ontario. What would you recommend? Also, I have the micro pro sienna boards to treat as well (outside for 1 year with no prior treatment as well) but I’d like to use a solid colour on them since it is on a kid’s play house. What would you recommend for both situations? Thanks!
Armstrong Clark or TWP 200 Series for the cedar. For the solid stain, try Flood Solid Stains.
I’ve been using Armstrong Clark semi transparent in Toronto every year or other year for five years. It absorbs nicely and doesn’t peel, but it encourages the growth of mold, the blackness of which gets right into the stain. I am surrounded by trees, so maybe pollen is part of the problem. Is there an inhibitor or cleaner I should be using?
It might be dirt from the trees? There are not additives that can be added to stop mildew 100%. You may be able to find one online that may help to reduce, but we have neve tried it. Deck cleaner when prepping should remove this.
Where do you buy Defy stain in Canada
Contact the manufacturer for help locating.
What would be a good stain for Ontario Canada back yard is north facing and does not get much sun. I would say shaded about 70% of the day 100% within 3 feet of the house.
ThanksMike7
Armstrong Clark or TWP 200 Series.
Hello, I have a deck I stained approx 2 years ago with the twp 100 or 1500 series I’m thinking it was the 100 series and it has warn off now and stripping in some areas. I wanted to know this spring after I power wash to clean it up can I restain with the same colour Or do I have to use the deck restore and brightner again then apply the stain? Also any ideas of how I can get it to last longer between stains? I followed the instructions as directed
Two to 3 years is the max you will get. Prep with the Restore Kit again for the prep.
Living in North Bay, Ontario and have an old deck that needs to be refinished. Used Behr solid stain and the next summer it was pretty much finished as a stain. Prior to staining, the wood was stripped, pressure washed, sanded and pretreated. I would like to have a stain that lasts more than one year and now I have to replace a number of boards due to rotting and splintering. The deck in in morning sunlight, fully exposed to the weather. What stain would you recommend and how should I pre-treat the wood before re-staining.
You can only use a solid stain now unless you want to sand all the old solid stain off completely. Another option would be the Deck Revive by Gulf Synthetics. The other stains we suggest for Canada are semi-transparent and cannot be applied over a deck that still has solid stain on it.
How do you know on an old fence if it was a solid stain? Does it look more like paint? We just moved into a 15 year old house, and I don’t think anyone has ever re-applied stain. What is the best choice of action- living in southern Alberta, Canada. Thank you!
That is a semi-transparent stain. Prep with a deck stain stripper and a wood brightener. Try Armstrong Clark or TWP 200 Series.
So which would be better to apply to a 1 year old pressure treated deck that has yet to be treated.
I’m thinking the Armstrong oil based but the defy would probably be easier with respects to reapplying?
Both are easy to reapply as needed.
Canada now has Thompson's Penetrating Timber Oil. How does this compare to Armstrong and Clark stain?
Thompson\’s stains historically have not been good.
I live in Sudbury Ontario and have had not success at all with stains. Have use Australia Timber Oil, one year, Secan same thing. Have sanded deck, spindles and rails to bare wood every time. Ever since the change to water base stains, in Canada I haven’t found a product you can get more then a year out of. My red cedar deck if worth $10,000 and I’m so discouraged with the maintenance issues, I’d like to rip it down and put in retaining walls and interlocking stone. Once every three years isn’t bad but every year at $300-400 to stain is bs
Oil based stains are still allowed in Canada as long as they are VOC Compliant. Prep by removing the old coating. If you sand, use a deck cleaner and a wood brighthener after. This will “roughen” the grain some. You do not want to sand too smooth as that will hinder the stain from soaking in. 60 or 80 grit at most. Try the TWP 200 Series. It will not dissapoint.