This post was updated on July 9, 2024
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior deck staining. My reviews for semi-transparent wood stains and help tips are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top product choices. See here for more info about me.
My Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stains
Whether you’re getting ready to redo an existing deck or looking for the perfect semi-transparent stain for a new addition to your home, choosing the right product can significantly impact your stain’s durability and long-term appeal. In this guide, I compare the best semi-transparent deck stains of 2024 and answer some commonly asked questions to help you select the right stain for your needs.
I have been using deck stains for 30+ years and reviewing them on DeckStainHelp.com since 2012. My favorite stains have always been penetrating semi-transparent stains, as they last for 2-3 years, do not peel, and can be cleaned and reapplied without the heavy lifting of power sanding and heavy scrapping.
Semi-Transparent Penetrating Deck Stain
Things to Consider When Choosing Semi-Transparent Deck Stains
1. VOC Laws Determine What Stain Can be Used
VOC (volatile organic compounds) laws have changed across the US and Canada in the past 10 years. Many states and Canada have adopted 250 Low VOC laws for exterior wood stains (architectural coatings). The good news is you can still use oil-based stains in Low VOC areas, but they must be 250 VOC compliant. The bad news is that not every brand will be available in Low VOC areas.
3. Oil-Based or Water-Based Semi-Transparent Stain
Do you want an oil-based or a water-based deck stain?
Oil-based semi-transparent Decking Stains preserve and enhance the wood’s natural color. They are easier to apply and penetrate deeper than water-based stains. Oil-based deck stains naturally shed water to help prevent warping, cracking, and splitting. Most oil stains are high VOC formulas, but you can find low VOC formulas compliant in all states and Canada.
Water-based semi-transparent Decking Stains are environmentally friendly and clean up easily with soap and water. They also do a superb job of locking out unwanted moisture and harsh UV rays to preserve all types of wood surfaces. Even though they have not been around for as long as oil stains, new technology has taken water-based stains to a new level, making them a great choice for long-lasting deck protection.
3. Always Prep Deck First for Stain
Before you apply your semi-transparent deck stain, you must prep. Prep is the most important aspect of deck staining and cannot be ignored. The most common ways to prep are Cleaning, Stripping, or Sanding. Always follow your prep with a wood brightener.
When to Clean a Deck: Using a deck cleaner for these three scenarios is best. Deck Cleaning Tips.
- New wood after weathering
- Gray or oxidized wood
- Recoating the deck with the same brand, type of stain, and color
When to Strip a Deck Stain: It is best to use a deck stain stripper if you have any of these scenarios below. Deck Stripping Tips.
- Switching stain brands that are transparent or semi-transparent
- Switching colors but of the same stain brand
- Your current coating has failed unevenly. You will need to strip to ensure the new coating applies evenly.
When to Sand a Deck: Deck sanding is not easy or fun but is needed for the instances below. How to Sand a Deck.
- Changing types of stain. Example: Switching from Solid Stain to Semi-Transparent. See How To Remove a Solid Stain
- Your Cleaning or Stripping Prep resulted in Wood Furing.
4. My 5 Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stains
See below for more information on each brand.
Penetrating semi-transparent deck stains allow the wood grain to show, and reapplying is much easier down the road if they truly soak into the wood grain. One issue is that not all semi-transparent stains are penetrating but rather film on top of the wood like paint. Stains that film on top of the wood will tend to peel and will be harder to re-coat or remove down the road.
Note: Our Top 5 semi-transparent stains are all penetrating when prepped and applied properly. Do not skip the prep steps or over-apply, as this will lead to the deck stain’s failure much faster!
My Process for Trying, Testing, and Ranking Different Products
Hands-On Experience and Emphasis on Long-Term Product Performance
As restoration contractors in this business since the 1990s, we have used a vast number of stains, cleaners, strippers, and brighteners for exterior wood decks.
For deck stains, our testing occurs on surfaces exposed to weather and foot traffic. We carefully assess factors including appearance, ease or difficulty of application, mildew resistance, and color shifting. Unlike many sites that primarily generate initial opinions and make short-term assessments, our testing evaluates the performance of stains over a longer period. For example, we often review products two years after the application regarding wear and tear or “graying.”
We acknowledge that results may vary, such as based on differing climates, types of wood, and the absence or presence of UV radiation.
Contributions and Feedback From Other Industry Professionals
I have created a platform with ongoing, constructive contributions from other restoration professionals who generate articles, product assessments, and comments.
Consumer Reviews (Good and Bad)
DeckStainHelp.com is also a forum that encourages consumer feedback—either good or bad. This information provides another perspective within our interactive framework that helps create our Consumer Star Ratings, complementing our experience with the same product.
# 1 Restore-A-Deck – Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stain and Sealer
- Scott’s Pro Tips: My favorite semi-transparent deck stain to apply the same day as prep. It saves us time and money! This simple-to-apply, mildew-resistant product makes staining projects a breeze — it can be applied to damp wood and allows for easy, water-only cleaning.
Where To Find: Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Stain
Pros: Damp Wood Application allows for same-day deck prep and stain application. Penetrating, semi-transparent water-based product. Easy water clean-up. Allowed in all 50 States and Canada. Excellent mildew resistance. Able to clean and recoat as needed for maintenance.
Cons: Only 5 colors.
Consumer Star Ratings:
My DeckStainHelp.com Rating (On a Scale of 1-10): 8.625
See My Review Article Here: Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Review
How To Restore Your Deck All in One Day – DeckStainHelp.com
# 2 TWP 100 Pro Series – Best Oil-Based Semi-Transparent Deck Stain
Scott’s Pro Tips: My favorite all-time semi-transparent deck stain. My company has used this on 1000s of decks until Michigan changed their VOC laws in 2023. The oil-based, semi-transparent stain is easy to apply, allows for quick cleaning and re-coating, and comes in 10 colors to suit any home or aesthetic.
Where To Find: TWP 100 Pro Series
Pros: Penetrating semi-transparent oil-based stain. Full-curing mildew resistant stain. 10 semi-transparent colors. Easy to apply. Excellent mildew resistance. Clean and re-coat as needed for maintenance with their Gemini Restore kit prep.
Cons: Only Available in 35 States. See TWP 1500 for the Low VOC version.
Consumer Star Ratings:
My DeckStainHelp.com Rating (On a Scale of 1-10): 8.69
See My Review Article Here: TWP 100 Series Review
# 3 Armstrong Clark – Easiest to Apply Semi-Transparent Deck Stain
- Scott’s Pro Tips: My favorite easiest-to-apply semi-transparent deck stain. I use this on 50-100 decks every year. Praised for its low-effort application and rich tones, this semi-transparent stain offers significant mold and mildew resistance, is easy to clean, and can be reapplied as needed.
Where To Find: Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid
Pros: Very easy to apply. Paraffin and Curing Oil Blend. Full Curing Stain. Allowed in all 50 States and Canada. Able to clean and re-coat as needed for maintenance.
Cons: It can take a few days or longer to cure fully.
Consumer Star Ratings:
My DeckStainHelp.com Rating (On a Scale of 1-10): 8.5
See My Review Article Here: Armstrong Clark Stain Review
#4 TWP 1500 Series – Best VOC Compliant Semi-Transparent Deck Stain
- Scott’s Pro Tips: My current go-to semi-transparent deck stain for Michigan. Unlike TWP’s 100 Series stain, the TWP 1500 Series Stain is available in all 50 states and features an EPA-registered wood preservative.
Where To Find: TWP 1500 Series
Pros: Complaint in all 50 States. Penetrating Semi-Transparent Oil-Based Product. Full Curing EPA Registered Stain. EPA Registered Wood Preservative. Able to clean and re-coat as needed for maintenance.
Cons: Takes longer to dry than the TWP 100 Series
Consumer Star Ratings:
My DeckStainHelp.com Rating (On a Scale of 1-10): 8.5
See My Review Article Here: TWP 1500 Series Review
#5 Defy Extreme Stain – Best Water-Based Semi-Transparent Deck Stain
Scott’s Pro Tips: This is my second favorite water-based penetrating wood and deck stain. This mildew-resistant stain is also available throughout the country and leverages nanotechnology to ensure a rich, deeply penetrating color.
Where To Find: Defy Extreme Semi-Transparent Stain
Pros: Penetrating semi-transparent water-based stain. Nano-technology for deep penetrating. Zinc oxide prevents mildew better than most products. Allowed in all 50 States and Canada. Able to clean and re-coat as needed for maintenance.
Cons: It can be harder to apply than other brands.
Consumer Star Ratings:
My DeckStainHelp.com Rating (On a Scale of 1-10): 8.47
See My Review Article Here: Defy Extreme Stain Review
5. My Semi-Transparent Deck Stain FAQs
Still curious about the best semi-transparent deck stains for pressure-treated wood? Read on for a few answers to frequently asked questions.
What Defines the Best? It Depends on Your Needs
Choosing the “best” deck stain product requires looking closely at the specific factors involved in the job. In making this determination, some of the questions to answer include:
- Are there extreme weather conditions in the region, such as summers with dramatic heat and humidity or frigid winters with snow and ice?
- Is the deck exposed to prolonged periods of direct sunlight?
- What are the state’s restrictions on products containing moderate to high volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
- Is the surface painted?
- Does the surface contain imperfections that you want to hide?
Why Semi-Transparent?
One differentiating characteristic among the stains used for wood decks is transparency or opacity, which includes products categorized as clear, transparent, semi-transparent, semi-solid, and solid.
The best semi-transparent deck stains penetrate well, which is critical for achieving a sharp appearance and forming a barrier of protection from the elements. Both water-based and oil-based semi-transparent options are available today. In general, oil-based products demonstrate better results.
The Best Semi-Transparent Stain Applications
Semi-transparent stains generally offer a balance between creating a layer of protective coverage and revealing and highlighting the surface’s natural wood grain. Semi-transparent stains are usually good options for surfaces with few imperfections or to revive previously stained decks that have become weathered.
Less-Suitable Applications for Semi-Transparent Stains
Semi-transparent stains are not for use on painted surfaces, are typically available in fewer colors, and will not hide major surface imperfections.
How does the Behr Premium Semi-Transparent Deck Stain stack up?
Despite its popularity, I found that the BEHR PREMIUM® Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer indicated that it may not be the best option for those searching for a long-lasting, easy-to-apply stain. You can read more about it in my review of the BEHR PREMIUM® semi-transparent stain.
Do you recommend penetrating semi-transparent deck stains?
As mentioned above, my favorite stains have always been semi-transparent deck stains. Instead of sitting on top of your wood deck like a solid stain, penetrating stains soak into the wood’s pores, typically resulting in greater longevity and enhanced protection. Learn more about why I recommend penetrating, semi-transparent deck stains in this guide.
Did you review the Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Semi-Transparent Deck Stain?
Yes! You can find my review of the Sherwin Williams SuperDeck semi-transparent stain here.
What do you think about the Valspar One-Coat Semi-Transparent Exterior Deck Stain?
In our opinion, the Valspar One-Coat Semi-Transparent Stain & Sealer leaves a lot to be desired. The application was splotchy at best, with significant UV damage and wear and tear over time. Read more of my thoughts in my review of the Valspar One-Coat Semi-Transparent Stain & Sealer.
What’s the Best Applicator for a Semi-Transparent Deck Stain?
The best way to apply a deck stain can vary depending on the product used, but we typically recommend stain brushes, stain flooring brushes, deck sprayers, or stain pads.
6. Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Photos
My Deck Stain Reviews Rating Video
7. Need Help? Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Questions?
When choosing a semi-transparent deck stain, you should consider the deck’s characteristics, condition, and factors, including direct sunlight exposure, climate, and anticipated traffic. The stain’s appearance and long-term performance are heavily dependent on how well the product absorbs (penetrates). Oil-based semi-transparent stains often outperform their water-based counterparts; however, those in states with strict “VOC laws” may find very few oil-based options.
Prep or Stain Help? Please ask me below if you have questions about my semi-transparent deck stain reviews or need help choosing a semi-transparent stain. Just post a comment below and include as much information as possible.
Awesome site! I’m wondering what semi-transparent stain you would recommend for a deck that gets severe sun exposure for most of the year. Thanks!
If the colors are similar, all the semi-transparent stains we suggest will last about the same. The main difference will be color or opacity. For example, a darker or richer color will provide longer UV protection than lighter colors. With opacity, semi-solid colors will give better UV protection than any semi-transparent color.
Hey Scott! I’m so glad i just happened to run across your site! So much useful info. This past April 2024, i had all the boards on the front of our pole barn replaced. It now has rough sawn oak and it’s time to get a protective coating on it. The front of the barn gets full sun all year. This summer was exceptionally hot. I’m in middle Tennessee. I’d like to stain with a warm natural color, but nothing yellow. What color do you recommend, which of your favorite oil products and which method of application do you recommend. I’ll include a picture.
Try TWP 1500 Series or Armstrong Clark Stains for this. Maybe a mediuem brown color.