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 choosing a stain for our western red cedar deck. It’s low profile ( 2 ft off of ground) tamped gravel base. We live in Ontario.
What would your top pick be an why? Do you have any opinion on Sansin stain?
TWP 200 Series or Armstrong Clark. Both are penetrating oil based stains that are allowed in Canada and can be cleaned and recoated as needed.
We’ve got a 12 year old cedar deck. Been painting, and repainting it now for several years. We are the original owners and built it ourselves. Now, more than ever, it needs to be completely redone. Looking for your qualified advise on which protocol to apply and which products to use. We live in Toronto. So far, we haven’t found an ideal product for our beautiful cedar deck and its maintenance is been painful thus far… . Appreciate hearing from you!
Post a picture.
Here are a couple of pictures. Thank you for your help!
Here are the pictures. Thanks for your help!
have you received the pictures I sent? It appears to me that the pictures disappear, after they get posted…
You have two options:
1. Power sand to remove all fully and then apply a penetrating semi-transparent wood stain that will not peel and can be easily be cleaned and reapplied
2. Pressure wash for prep and apply another solid stain but this will be prone to peeling as it will not remove the previous coatings fully.
Basically, the only way to fix correctly is to remove all of the previous coatings.
Hello, I am from Montreal, Quebec and we just installed a treated wood deck on 7/9/2019. I was told by the installer to lightly sand it with 60 grit. Then to stain the deck ASAP preferably within 3 weeks time using an oil based stain.
I had also read some conflicting information which said to wait at least a year for the wood to dry thoroughly…..then stain.
Do you think I should stain using an oil based product right away or wait until next year? Do you recommend the Armstrong over the Sansin semi-transparent?
Thank you!
You have to wait: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
Hi Marnie…I live in Bradford and am a painter and stainer. A excellent stain product I have always used for any exterior wood is Flood, which is now owned by Dulux.
Hi from Aurora, Ontario 😁 We just installed a cedar deck. What’s best product to protect our investment….and how long will it last? We are currently installing a pressure treated large privacy wall of random width boards on one side of the deck and would like to use a semi transparent colour. What product do tou recommend..??? Many Thanks in advance for your recommendations. (And where do we buy these products)
Armstrong Clark or TWP 200 Series wood stains.
Many thanks for your speedy reply. I live in Aurora, Ontario. Where could I buy either one of these products?
Check online.
What is the best deck sealer for a mahogany deck
See this: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
I am from northern Canada, and trying to decide between Defy or Armstrong. Which is easier for reapplication down the road? Also everyone seems to recommend a solid stain, but am I right in saying you guys would recommend a semi-Transparent stain? Same criteria in that I’m concerned about which type would be longer lasting between reapplication and which would be be easier to reapply.
Thanks for all the great I formation so far 🙂
Sorry for the delay, missed your post. The AC is easier to for maintenance but the Defy is not hard either. Semi-trans will be easier to maintain.
I am in northern Alberta Canada and looking to stain a pressure treated fence. Between Armstrong Clark vs the TWP 200 series, is one better for protection/longevity in your opinion? I noticed the paraffin oil in the TWP that I don’t see mentioned in the Armstrong Clark. It seems Armstrong Clark has more variety of colour. Do you recommend one over the other in your experience? Thanks!
No, they will last about the same. Both have some paraffin oil. Both are excellent products.
Hi just finished the frame for a new deck. Installing cedar decking planks. I want to keep the natural color as well. What do you recommend and should I paint all the planks before install or after.? And what would be the timeline for follow up care to keep it looking new and with what?
See this about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
After 3 years of living in my home, I notice the deck is slippery and has lots of algae. Yesterday I powerwash the deck to get rid of all that algae. I was quite surprised that lots of the old stains came off as well. Although the deck doesn’t look so good, but it is clean and safe! Now, I am concerning *only* with getting something to protect the wood so it will last. Unfortunately, the more I read, the more confuse I am because there seem to be so many steps I’ll have to do. Help! Please recommend as to what I can do to accomplish my goal. Making the deck look good is nice but is not a requirement. However, putting on something that last AND also protects the wood well is crucially important.
Attached are a few pictures of my deck after the power wash.
Much appreciate for any help you can give.
Use a solid stain to cover the opaque stain you have currently on the deck: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
What is the best stain for a cedar deck?
I have power washed and sanded my elevated 4 year old cedar deck in preparation for staining but I’m unsure of the best product to use. My husband treated it with a Thompson’s water seal just after it was built and it was horrible. After doing a little research I realize he should have waited or treated it first. Its been 4 years and the deck has since been sanded twice and pressure washed. We have not applied any treatment on it since.
I live in the Toronto area and my deck faces south so it takes a beating by the sun. I’m looking for a warm natural cedar colour. Any information/tips you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Dawn
Armstrong Clark Wood Stains or TWP 200 Series for Canada.
Where can I buy Armstrong Clark or TWP 200 in Ontario Canada?
Check online.
did you find out where in Canada we can buy this? I live in Montreal
No dealers but you can buy online.
Good day
I applied a sealer about 3 years ago, now i would like to revive the wood, the sealer is still doing its job, should I Varnish or stain ! Do I pressure wash to remove the sealer prior to this project!
Sam
P.S: Whats the difference in durability and appearance between Stain and Varnish
You cannot use a varnish on a deck. It will blister and peel. You also cannot coat over a sealer with a deck stain. It will need to be removed first.
Thanks a million.
Will buy a sealer remover then stain it. hope my pressure washer will do the job, I couldn’t find a sander.
any further advice’s.!!
I couldn’t find a sander, will pressure washer do the job.
Use stripper while pressure washing to remove. Brightener after.
Hi,
I’m planning on redoing our deck this spring. I would like to refinish it with a transparent grey product. We live in Montreal so the deck sees harsh winters and is exposed to extreme sun in the summer. Can you tell me what products (stripper,brightener and stain) you’d recommend to treat my cedar deck ?
Thank you!
Strip off what you can with the RAD Stripper. Sand the rest. Brighten all when done. Stain with Armstrong Clark or TWP 200 Series.
Living in Canada, our cottage decks take a beating, between hot summers [if we’re lucky, and cold, snowy winters.
We used C2Guard on an extensive deck because of it’s great warranty … 7 years. Now, 3 years on, the colour has worn in places and looks shabby. In speaking with the dealer, we were assured the product had entered the wood and is protecting it, but the surface colour has worn off. [?!] What to do now?
We were also told, [after the fact] that we should not have stained the wood immediately, as the boards ‘seal’ from the milling and need to sit for a year… wish we’d known this!
However, now we are faced with doing something as the deck looks so shabby. We have power washed it and are trying to determine what to put on next … more C2 Guard or another product.
Advice, please.
Strip and or sand to remove. Try TWP 200 Series.
Hi I sanded the whole deck one year ago and stained it with sansin but it started peeling in a few months.
To try a new stain, what prep do I have to do? Sand it all off again? Its a huge deck and took six hours to stain just the floor no railings.
Im in Canada and the deck goes around our pool…no shade.
Recommendations would be great!
Thanks!
Yes, sand or remove all. Once removed, clean and brighten for prep. Stain with TWP 200 series or Armstrong Clark.
Can I use deck stripper first then sand if needed?
Yes.
Couple more questions..can we spray the paint stripper on and power pressure it off?
Do we do the same with cleaner/brightener…does it need rinsing off too? Pressure washer or hose?
Is it the same protocol with railings as the floor?
How long do we wait before we can stain?
Thanks again!
Yes, pump sprayer on deck stripper and then pressure wash off. Same with cleaner. Rinse the Brightener
Wait 48 hours is normal after prep.
Where can I buy this stain in peterborough Ontario
Which stain?
I live near Kingston Ontario, so have a typical Canadian winter. I have a very large deck that I am tired of stripping, sanding and recoating every other year. I have been using Flood Pro Series Solid stain, and even though I have 2 free gallons in my basement, I am not willing to use it again. The last time I applied this stain, it did not last 6 months. Partt of my deck is under cover, which needless to say, holds up beautifully. The other part is in the direct sun, and does not hold up at all. I went with solid because I wanted a greyish colour to blend in with my siding, however, I am getting too old to go through the exercise in futility every year. Please tell me what you would recommend. I am leaning towards the TWP210, but don’t know where I get it in Canada and whether or not I can get a sample. Thank you in advance for your attention in this matter.
TWP 200 Series cannot be applied over a solid stain. You would have to power sand it fully off first. Were you going to do that?
I am in the process of doing that now. I am using a Flood paint stripper, plus pressure washing. Once that is done, I plan to rent a large sander and sand it completely. What a NIGHTMARE.
HI,
I was hoping you would be able to get back to me about solution to my deck problem. I mentioned that I am stripping my deck with Flood stripper, plus pressure washing, then sanding it down.
Stripper will not remove a solid stain effectively. You will have to power sand to remove. Once 100% removed, you can use the TWP 210.
Where and how can I get TWP in Canada? Can I get a sample of the TWP210?
Is TWP my best option for stain, or do you have an alternativve suggestion?
Armstrong Clark deck stains.
Check with the TWP website.
I have a large deck constructed of clear cedar, about 500 square feet. There is another 100 square feet of pergola and lattice structures. The deck faces east and south and receives direct sunshine for about 9 hours/day. I live in Lethbridge, Alberta where temperatures can exceed 30 Celsius for days at a time. In the winter we experience extreme cold, about -30 Celsius, and also snow. We have Chinook winds which will increase the temperature from -30 to plus 20 in a few hours, so there are a lot of freeze thaw cycles. I have used Sikkens Cetol which failed after one year; the coating turned from a lovely cedar colour to an orange colour. I currently have Sansin SDF coating, Champagne colour. This was applied in a garage after the wood was planed, sanded and applied per instructions. The Sansin coating seemed to peel off after one year. Sansin customer service advised me that I likely did not apply the product properly, however, I applied it in a garage, as mentioned the wood had been planed and sanded with 80 grit sandpaper, and I always kept a leading wet edge and used additional product as seemed necessary. Sansin recommended a certain mil level of product, but this was impractical to gauge.
I want to refinish my deck and plan to strip the old finish and use a brightener.
Please advise which product would work best for my deck. I do not want to invest a huge amount of time and labour only to have a product fail once again.
Try TWP 200 Series. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/twp-200-series-wood-stain-review/
Very disappointed with the product and the customers’ service of Sansin. I’ve followed every step on my cedar patio and only one year after the application, Sansin Dec is peeling off… I’ve tried to contact Sansin to get a refund, or at least, to know what happened, 3 months later and plenty of email and phone calls, I still haven’t got any real answer from Sansin… It’s a shame. Keep away.
It’s been less than a year since I used Sansin on our deck, and it is doing the exact same thing! What did you end up doing to your deck after all this mess to get it back looking reasonable?
Did you prep the deck by washing and neutralizing the ph first. And was the deck sanded prior to application? Recommended 60 grit firs then 80.
We stained our log home and 4000square foot deck with Sasin product…. massive investment and effort and less then 2 year after we have over again. We would not recommend Sasin product to anyone, bad product and they do mot stand behing their brand.
Hi
I treated my 16 X 16 deck with Sansin sealer, 3 yrs later it still looks good. Now i want to apply varnish or stain it.
After seeing your feed back i think will go with CABOT available at Home depot and Reno.
Sam
Montreal Laval
To add to my question when is the best time of year in Quebec Canada to stain a new deck built late June 2018
Wait until Spring. See this about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
Best time of year to stain deck in Canada
P.S. I need it for a outdoor wooden pergola….thanks again.
what is the best stain and sealer sold in Canada. I need it a.s.a.p so can’t order online and wait for it’s arrival.
Thanks.
Sorry, but we do not live there so we do not know if any quality stains are available to you locally since the VOC laws were changed a few years ago.
AS recommended by my local quality paint store, I am considering using C2 Gurad on both a NEW Douglas Fir Deck and an older deck at my cabin that is in dire need of treatment. I cannot fin where to search for reviews on this website. Is there a review? What can you tell me about this product
We have never used this product or seen it in the states. There have been a few mentions about it on this site but nothing substantial.
I had initially used Sansin Weatherbos on my cedar deck with annual touch-up and it lasted about tens years before I encountered wood rot. I live in southern Ontario and cedar doesn’t hold-up well outside of dry environment where humidity predominates. Under such influence the soft viperous pores of the wood allow it to become prone to over burdening expansion and contraction imposed by both cold then hot seasonal changes. I decided to resurface the entire deck with Sienna PT……Not as attractive in overall appearance and a trade-off to more resilience. Now after a year since installing it has acclimatized and is surface ready for a good quality stain. And, what should it be? TWP-100, or Seiken….or?? Help.
Use the TWP 200 Series. The 100 is not allowed in Canada.
Thank you Professor………….I reside in Ancaster Ontario. Would you be able to inform as to where I could buy in my area?
Not sure. Check with the manufacturer of TWP.
did you find it
These reviews are really great, but what about stains that you can actually purchase in local retailers ?
We are based in the US and all stains are sold in retailers around the country. In Canada, you have been out of luck for any quality stains sold in stores since the VOC laws were changed. Many have resorted to crossing the border to buy or have them shipped.
Oh Yes……..I’m quite aware of the VOC regulations and so are the Canadian customs officers at the border crossings. They can be like hawks at times, wanting you to present the receipts of what you had purchased while out of Canada and once they detect that you bought something that is unlawful to possess or use in Canada they will take away right there……….do it again and you will be fined or even restrained from returning to the US for an undetermined length of time. So, why risk such a stain on your reputation….(or should that read ‘strain’ on your rep?)
That’s all a bit overly dramatic.. they will let you turn around and try and return it
But deck stain is fine to cross the boarder with, there are no federal laws restricting importing and possessing stains that don’t meed VOC standards, usage laws come down to provincial and local enforcement to deal with
Hi, I stained our cedar deck with Flood UVW 5 2 years ago and it’s aleady failed. I. Have read that Flood transparent oil based stains have gone through a lot of changes recently and one vendor here actually hesitates to sell it to me. I will sand down to bare wood, but rails, posts, etc, will still have old Flood stain on them. I was thinking of going with Sikkens Cetol Dek finish, but concerned that they may not bond well.
You will need to remove all if switching brands of stain.
I know someone who applied Sikkens on all four sides of a cedar shed 10 years ago and it is still holding up quite well without the need for a touch-up to this day in time. Much of what I have heard or even read states that Sikkens Cetol holds up well on vertical surfaces and not too well on flat surfaces like a deck. Even though they label it as ‘Dek’ finish.
How does Sherwin Williams stain hold up against your recommendations?
Not fans and neither are the consumers for the most part. There are numerous reviews on this site. Do a search in the top right search icon to see the reviews.
We have sanded down a deck that had an opaque finish. Not sure if it was paint or stain. The sanding left some spots of the old finish. Can we stain over this remaining finish? It is spotty and has all been scuffed by the sander, just not entirely removed on about 15 % of the total surface.
If you still have old solid stain left then you will need to use a solid color stain again to cover. A semi-transparent will not work.
I have 2 decks … both are pressure treated, one is at least 20 years old, and the other is about 4 years … the newer deck boards are a bit different than the old
Last year, I cleaned the deck as I have many, many times, and, as usual, applied a Thompson Waterseal product … this time I used a tinted one as I wanted it to match my fence
I am now, very unhappy, as the finish is all wearing off … again, it has only been a year
I have decided that i would now like to have it “stained” a medium grey colour … either a Solid Stain or Paint (I doubt paint)
What prep work is required, and which product is best … I am in Winnipeg, MB, where we all know has the most extreme weather around
Thank you
Pressure wash for prep and try the Flood Solid Color Deck stains.
Whoa Whoa……….I beg to differ. Pressure washing any wood, especially softwoods like spruce which is pre-wolmanized will damage the fibres and cause inconsistency in the grain. One would have to then power sand the surface in order to reach down to unblemished grain, but, by doing so the initial womanizing would become disturbed and mostly removed irrevocably bringing the boards back to raw unprotected spruce. My suggestion would be to use Restore-Deck-A-Deck stain stripper ,but, DON’T use a power washer as recommended. Put it in a multi-calibrated garden spray container attached to a garden hose and spray at the strongest stream with a setting where emulsioning suds show on surface. Stop periodically to further work the emulsion into stubborn areas using a deck brush attached to a pole. Wait awhile (15-20 mins) then thoroughly wash the entire surface with cold water. Allow to dry for at least 12 hrs. then sand the entire surface with an *oscillating sander using 120 garnet sandpaper. Dust off with a damp mop. Apply new stain.
*(an oscillating sander operates in rapid figure 8 motion in avoidance of cross grain scratching, unlike that of a circular or belt sander, both of which yield scratches when passed across linear grain……and they become most noticeable once stain is applied)
Pressure washing correctly does not damage the wood as long as you are using the proper prep products while using the pressure washer. This allows the pressure washer to be used at a significantly reduced pressure.
We have restored over 15,000 decks using a pressure washer correctly and never have we damaged or harmed the wood.
Well, in that case I have to agree as long as lower pressure is observed and maintained. However, the problem being is that too many people don’t read the directions or simply over-do the job by moving up on the pressure to satisfy rapidity of the job. I’ve seen dried out decks that are pretty much scared by over zealous forceful intents to clean the surface to the point of new wood.
By the way, I don’t intend to dispute an expert refinisher. It’s just that I had been building decks for many years and upon being called back to do normal wear & tear repairs I often receive all kinds of remarks or complaints ranging from that I chose the wrong batch of lumber to neglectful laying lengths down face grain which eventually curls upward. But, the real and true displeasure was caused by what the tenant did to the wood afterward. Telling someone to wait a year before staining freshly mill stock is like saying cows can’t be milked by not being out to pasture all winter and you’ll have to drink your coffee black in the instead. Nobody has patience anymore.
Would you be able to recommend a product that has a local Canadian distributor (I can go to store and buy) and does not need to be purchased with shipping from USA? All the ones listed above need to be ordered – I don’t want to wait the shipping period and many have restrictions on size you can order (don’t need a pail) – Thanks!
Nothing decent in stores in Canada since they changed the VOC laws.
I have never heard of any of these stains. Thanks. I hope tried the ones widely advertised but they do not last long. Will these out do Baere and the others?
Bruce
Yes.
I am looking for a stain for a new cedar (still green) wood deck; we live on Vancouver Island where it is quite rainy/snowy in the winter and hot and sunny in the summer. We have children and a built-in cedar hot tub with lots of barefoot traffic. We want to minimize our kid’s toxic exposure. Which of stain do you recommend?
See thsi about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
So are the formulas for Sikkens deck stain and Cabot gold different in Canada than the USA? Just wondering because we can buy these two brands in Canada.
I am not sure. Best to ask those companies directly.
I want to restain my deck. but I have a pond near deck. which stain should I choose to use not killing my fish?
thanks!
robin
Just do not get any stain in the water and you will not have any issues.
Do your reviews for the decks stains also apply to fences? I want to stain my fence – we live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada where there are harsh winters and hot summers. For a water-based stain, would Defy Extreme be the best choice? Also, we have pets – is this the safest option for dogs? Last question – do you know of online retailers who ship to Canada? Thanks so much!
Fences fair much better than decks. 2-3 times better. Defy Extreme or Restore-A-Deck Wood stains would work well for this. Search online for dealers.
I am hoping to re stain my picket fence next weekend. I originally used a water based stain from Dulux, solid stain in a creamy beige.
The whole fence is on the south side of the house, so full sun all day. It needs to be sanded and cracks filled. But I’d like to know whether I should use the Dulux again or would you recommend another product?
You will need a solid stain again. Try the Flood brand this time. Do not bother with wood filler. It will not work on outside wood.
How does twp 200 compare to twp 1500 in canadian climate..i know 1500 is not available here..but just for comparison..also how does twp 200 hold up to mold/mildew..as i heard the.funguside is main ingredient banned in canada that the 1500 and 100 has….thanks
ALSO DULUX STORES.WILL ORDER TWP PRODUCTS I TO CANADA
TWP 1500 is not allowed in Candada, only 200 Series.. the 200 works just as well.
We have a cedar deck that gets early morning and early evening sun. We don’t shovel the snow off in the winter. We are in the process of removing all the stain and sanding to the bare wood. I was going to use Cetol SRD RE but have seen some very negative comments on how well it holds up on decks and high traffic, with stain peeling and darkening over time. I need advice on what product to use. We don’t want to be sanding and staining every year as the deck is quite large (and we’re getting to old for this :)) Oil or water based?
Try TWP 200 Series or Armstrong Clark.
Have you reviewed Pressure Plus? It’s a pressure treatment.
No. Never heard of it.
Made by Sansin.
I need some advice on the best stain to use to re-srain my deck. It is made of Pressure Treated wood and has a Southern exposure, hot sun with no shade until late afternoon. I have used Rez Solid Wood Stain, Durable Oil/Water based formula in Walnut, Hybrid Low VOC for the last 5-6 years. It only lasts one year and has had to be re-stained every year. Is there anything more durable that you could recommend?
Try the Flood Solid stains but prep is key. Make sure to remove all the peeling stain.
I installed a new pine pressure treated deck last September. I live in Newcaslte, Ontario and it gets full on sun all day with no shade. What’s the best stain and where can I buy a Restore-A-Deck cleaner & brightener and TWP deck stain.
The TWP 200 Series can be used in Canada but you will have to order from the states as there are not any dealers in Canada.
Per your request here is pic of deck referenced below #comment64695
You can pressure wash and recoat with another solid stain like Flood Solid Stains or sand it all off down to the bare wood and use a penetrating stain like one of these: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Lighter colors will typically retain less heat.
I have an old deck I think it is pressure treated pine. Most of the stain or paint?? is worn off and I have replaced some of the boards. Others are dry ,warped, and or soft/rotting and they used nails not screws many of which are now rusted and failing. Im hoping the supports are not rotten.
I plan to pressure wash, replace the bad boards (hoping the cross beams are still ok) replace loose nails w screws, then sand and re-stain
1) Is this right procedure to follow
I live in Indiana a low VOC state where we can sometimes have cold and snowy winters.
But in summer there is full sun exposure and the deck gets very hot; so I need a replacement stain that can reduce heat as well as provide a surface that wont get too slippery (I have a 15′ swim spa)
2) what low VOC stain(s) would you recommend as best? Longevity would be also great but heat deflection and less slippery surface are priorities.
Any help here much appreciated
You need to remove the current stain/paint first. How to do this depends on what it is? Can you post a picture?
Hi, I built a 12x34ft deck out of white cedar, facing the south and will get full sun. I am going to sand it and then apply the stain. Id like to keep it a lighter natural look. Would twp 200 be a good option, and do well with the sun and also the harsh winters here ? Thanks !
Yes, the TWP 200 Series is a great stain.
Okay, what do you think the best tone would be ?
Any color that you like will work.
Love your site and certainly appreciate the reviews. But you cannot get the top rated products in Ontario, so it would be way more helpful if you would rate and suggest products we can purchase in Ontario!
Canada changed their VOC laws a few years ago and because of this, there are not any decent options in your local Big Box stores.
Can I put a water based stain on my deck which currently has an oil based stain on it?
No. You will need to remove the oil-based stain first.
I have a transparent water based stain on my cedar deck. We stain in the spring each year. There are some surfaces exposed to direct sunlight all day long and these tend to peel. I would like to switch to oil based. Do I have to strip to the wood or can I apply over the existing product?
You must remove first. Strip and or sanding will be needed.
Where can I buy twp, defy, or armstrong semi-transparent stains in Canada, in particular St. John’s Newfoundland?
Contact manufacturers for assistance or buy online.
Hey David, Did you find either of these stains in Newfoundland? I’m looking for it here in the province also. Thanks