This post was updated on March 12, 2025
Hi, I am Scott Paul. I have been staining new and old decks for over 30 years. My decking tips for the Full Sun are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing. See here for more info about me.
Deck Stains For Full Sun
DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to site for exterior wood surface restoration-related. Newly tested, Restore-A-Deck in a Day performs superior to withstand the elements when your deck is in full sun. I love to help and encourage customer interaction on our site, so feel free to leave a comment.
One of the biggest elements in a deck’s lifespan is sun exposure. When a deck is exposed to full sun, it can have a damaging effect that can shorten the life of the wood. Harmful UV rays break down the wood fibers and cause discoloration, graying, and fading. When a deck becomes sun-damaged, the decking boards can warp, crack, and split, causing dangerous splinters and a very unappealing look. In extreme cases, UV damage is irreversible and cannot be repaired.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: Best Stains for Decks in the Full Sun
- Sun exposure destroys decks fast – Without protection, full sun can fade, gray, crack, and even permanently damage your deck boards.
- Pigmented stains act like sunscreen – The best deck stains for full sun contain pigments that block UV rays and prevent premature aging.
- Oil-based stains penetrate deep – TWP and Armstrong Clark stains absorb into the wood, offering superior UV resistance without peeling.
- Darker colors = better UV protection – The more pigment in your stain, the more sun protection you get. Semi-solid stains provide the best balance of durability and wood grain visibility.
- Pick the right stain for your wood – Use TWP 1500 for cedar, redwood, or pressure-treated pine, and Armstrong Clark Mahogany or Amber for exotic hardwoods like IPE.
See Below For Commons Question on Decks in Full Sun
How to Prep a Damaged Deck From Sun
Preparing your deck depends on the condition of your wood. There are three main ways to prep your decking: cleaning, stripping to remove old coatings or sanding. Which direction to go in depends on the age of your wood and current condition. For help determining the proper prep method, see this article: Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck.
How to Prevent UV Graying for Decks?
The best stain for full sun decks is one that has a pigmented formula that acts as a sunscreen and blocks damaging UV radiation. Most of the best stains for full sun decks will penetrate deeply into the wood pores. For example, Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain is an excellent waterborne product with wet-wood technology and heavy resins to help reflect harmful sun rays. This product is handy in that it can be prepped and stained on the same day.
Sun Damaged Decking
What is the Best Oil-Based Stain for Full Sun Decking?
TWP Stains also offers several different stains that protect against sun damage. They offer many different colors, but as with any stain, the darker the color (more pigment), the more sun protection it will provide. If your full sun deck has already suffered a certain amount of sun damage, then Armstrong Clark makes an outstanding wood stain that will replace the lost natural oils in the wood. These nondrying conditioning oils separate from the drying side of the formula and penetrate deep into the wood fibers to rejuvenate the wood.
What Deck Stains Offers Top UV Protection?
For the best use protection and penetrating performance, you would want an oil-based semi-solid wood stain. These stains will not be fully opaque like solid ones and will slightly show the wood grain. Use oil-based ones as they penetrate the wood grain and do not potentially peel like water-based versions of semi-solid colors.
The Armstrong Clark or TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series in a semi-solid color will give the best UV protection of any stains that still show the wood grain.
Need Inspiration? Full Sun Deck Stain Photos
Deck Stain Types for Full Sun
When choosing the best stain for full sun decks, you must also consider the type of wood you are staining. Certain stains are better for different types of wood. For example, the TWP 1500 Series would be a great choice for a full sun deck made of cedar, redwood, or pressure-treated pine. For Exotic Hardwood decking like IPE, Armstrong Clark in Mahogany or Amber colors is a great option.
I have Cracks in My Decking. Should I Repair?
It’s not an issue! Decking will continue to crack, shift, and check over the years. Do not use wood filler for exterior decking. If needed or rotting, just replace the damaged boards.
Need Help? Full Sun Deck Questions?
Want Help choosing a stain type or brand for your deck that is in full sun? Just post a comment below and include as much information as possible.
Hi Scott, I just replaced my deck boards and railings last November and want to stain in the spring. We used 2×6 pressure treated lumber for the decking. The deck gets pretty much full sun during the summer and full shade in the winter months. What type of stain would you recommend? Does color of stain make a difference in UV protection?
Try a semi-transparent stain: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
In general, the darker the color, the better the UV protection.
Hi Scott, we are replacing our deck with Douglas fir and want to know what product would be best for a full sun deck? We are wanting to do a gray wash or a light stain with some texture to it. What product would you recommend?
Look at Armtrong Clark stains or TWP Stains in a semi-solid color for a gray color. Deck stains do not have texture. New wood tips here:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
Hello Scott,
Can I set up a phone call for a fee to discuss my deck?
Thanks!
Sorry but no, we do not do phone calls but you can ask away in the comments.
I’ve sanded my deck it gets full sun but I also have a pool that the deck also gets chlorine on it best best that will not cause slippery deck when getting out of the pool
Use a penetrating semi-transparent stain:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
Will Defy Extreme work the best on our 20 year old cedar deck that we are planning to sand down and treat with a water based fire retardant? We have a high altitude very sunny exposure with some thundershowers in the summer and some snow that lays on the north side of deck in the winter. The fire retardant calls for 2 coats so it soaks in and bonds with the cellulose fibers. It recommends to be stained on top with any water based stain to protect it. Should we just do 1 coat of Defy on top this year and the second next year so we don’t risk it pealing because a second coat can’t soak in as much due to the fire retardant? Our cedar has a lot of tannin leaching and will blue up when not protected well. We don’t want to have to sand again for many years to come- can we just clean (maybe brighten) and recoat Defy for maintenance in the future without sanding? Thank you for your help!
Not sure how to answer this as it really depends if the fire retardant “seals” the surface or not. For Defy (or any other penetrating stain) to work properly, it needs to penetrate into the wood grain and if the fire retardant prevents this, it will sit on top of the wood, creating potential peeling issues.
I am looking for a deck stain to protect the deck around our pool that will not burn our feet when barefoot but also not toxic, low voc’s
Try Restore A Deck Stain in Natural or Cedar color.
Looking for suggestions on a stain that will complement the tones of our home and be natural looking. Also wanting something that is heat resistant that would allow walking on it barefoot.
Do you have pictures of your house and deck? For color ideas, see this: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/category/deck-staining/wood-deck-stain-photos/
Tried twice to attach pictures and it allows me to select a photo to upload but then doesn’t show up.
Maybe your pics are too big in size? There is a limit of 4 mb.
We need to refinish a deck and cabin at high altitude (10K with high daily UV index). Advice on prepping and best to protect wood
Strip and brighten for prep and then try the Armstrong Clark stains in a semi-solid color or the TWP Semi-solid stains.
I have full sun deck made of Pt decking … what is best to protect it
TWP Semi-Solid or Armstrong Clark Stains in a semi-solid.
We live in the Twin Cities metro and our deck faces the west with full sun starting around 1100-800. We just replaced our old deck, which was all cedar and stained with Penofin stain, which basically was junk. We replaced the deck with cedar railings and cedar toned treated lumber. Looking for the best stain combo for use on the cedar railings and the cedar toned treated deck lumber. Neighbor talked about Cabot’s Australian oil, unknown if it’s the same or better than Penofin. We understand that the harsh all day sun and very cold Mn winters aren’t deck friendly, but we do what we can. Seeking your advice for the best overall solution for the two different types of wood under the same conditions. Thank you
Look at the TWP in a Semi-Solid color for a full sun deck in MN. Much better than the Cabot and Penofin:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/twp-semi-solid-pro-series-wood-and-deck-stain-review/
Make sure to strip and brighen for prep.
Which colour is the TWP Semi-Solid Stain that you show on the deck pictures? Does it work well with Fir? Thank you.
Cedar Mulch is the color: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/twp-semi-solid-pro-series-wood-and-deck-stain-review/
You can use it on Fir.
Hi! What would work best for a deck made of Douglas fir. It has no stain currently. Would I need to prep it with wood conditioner? What would work best for this type of wood? I am trying to keep it a natural oak color
New wood or old wood?
What would be the best stain for a 4yr old pressure treated wood deck in Chicago that gets full sun, all day in the summer. It was originally professionally stained but now wanting to do it myself.
Prep to remove the prior coatings and then try Armstrong Clark in a semi-solid color.
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/wood-and-decking-stains
Hi,
We had our 400+ sq ft deck replaced with pressure treated pine in 2020. Our deck gets full sun all day long. We have used Penofin for Hardwood Oil Stain in Transparent Natural Tone. It looks nice initially but then gets gray and dark rather quickly. It has been prepped with their cleaner/brightener and stained twice now and ready for another coat. Assuming this may not be the best stain for our situation? Do you have any recommendations that would not require annual staining? We do prefer something on the lighter side and do not want a solid stain. Would a water sealant be any help or is that just asking for peeling? If we switch stains, will that require completely removing the stain by stripping or will a cleaner/brighter be enough? Regret not going with composite.
Thanks!
Strip and then brighten for prep: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-injectable-deck-stain-stripper-review/
Once prepped, use Restore A Deck Stains or TWP 1500 Series. Both are far superior to Penofin.
Is a full coverage deck stain available that stays cool to touch and doesn’t burn the bottoms of feet?
Lighter colors will retain heat less than darker colors. Does not matter the brand.
Hello,
Looking for a good stain/seal that can hold up to the elements. I purchased Valspar semi transparent cedar tone and it looked great for a few months. I ended up re applying a year later only to get the same results.
I have a south facing deck with no shade. I live in MO where we get every type of weather and temps from 105 degrees to below zero. I think my biggest issue is the sun. Ready to find something real that I can enjoy for awhile and that’s easy to re apply as needed.
Thanks for the help!
Valspar has issues and will peel. You will need to remove it fully now. Post some pics for prep advice.
Once removed, use a fully penetrating stain. Try Armstrong Clark stains or TWP 100 Series.
Thanks! I have actually sanded most of my deck down over the past week, so no luck on getting a good photo of the deck as it is. I don’t have immediate access to a power washer so I sanded the Valspar off.
Are you recommending a semi-transparent here? (I see the TWP 100 series is) I was looking at the semi-solids but if they have a tendency to peel then I am all for the semi-transparent. I like the look better on the semi transparent as well.
You can use the TWP semi-solid colors as well. They do offer better UV protection. All TWP stains will not peel.
How do solid stains handle direct sunlight? We get triple digits in the summer and the porch is in direct sun. I am looking to use Sharkskin from Rodda. hybrid waterborne technology – cross-linking Acrylic & Urethane resins with Linseed oil to provide the ultimate in weather protection and scuff & mar resistance from foot traffic.
Solid stains work excellent for UV protection but can be prone to peeling. See here for the best options that we have used in the past 30 years:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/