This post was updated on May 1, 2024
The Best Stain for New Pine Decks
Since we first published this article, some new stains have been introduced. We recommend you browse our site with honest reviews for recommendations for the best stain for a new pine deck when it comes to prep and stain application. We always appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below with pictures of your pine deck stain projects.
Best Water-Based Deck Stain for New Wood | The Easiest Applying Deck Stain for New Wood | Best Oil-Based Deck Stain for New Wood |
Months to Weather New Wood: 3 months for both semi-transparent and solid stain colors. | Months to Weather New Wood: 2-3 months for transparent and semi-transparent colors. 12 months for semi-solid. | Months to Weather New Wood: 4 - 12 months for all TWP Series and Colors. |
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From: $47.99 *Free Shipping | From: $65.99 *Free Shipping | From: $41.99 *Plus Shipping |
Need Help Finding the Best Stain for New Pine Deck?
The best time to stain a deck is after it is built while the wood is still new and has not been compromised by weather damage. However, it is important to allow a new pine deck to dry out for several months before staining it. A new pine deck contains too much moisture at first and you do not want to trap that moisture in the wood by staining it too soon. Wait for the wood to reach 12% moisture level or less. This can be checked with a moisture meter. As mentioned this usually takes a few months of warm weather depending on the sun exposure the deck receives. Do not wait too long though like a year or more because that is when most of the damage occurs to unprotected pine.
Choosing the best stain for a new pine deck is the key to a beautiful long-lasting finish. Because newer wood will be denser than older wood, it will not absorb stain as well. Therefore you want to choose a deck stain that has exceptional penetrating traits. Both Armstrong Clark and Timber Oil make a stain that works well on new pine decks. Many brands of stain fail to penetrate new pine because of the denseness but both of these brands promise proper penetration into new pine decking as well as other types of new wood like cedar and redwood.
The best stain for new pine decks like the ones mentioned above will also help condition the wood. This helps keep the cellular structure of the wood in good shape to prevent warping, cracking, and splintering. The special blend of these stains is designed specifically for newer type of wood. This will ensure your new pine deck is well protected from the beginning to prevent future costly repairs. Nothing is more important to protect your new investment than choosing the best stain.
Staining a New Deck Tips Video – DeckStainHelp.com
Hi – I’m in the process of removing all the old Penofin (oil based) stain from my pine deck in Southern CA. It was long overdue and had become black with dirt and wear. Please recommend a water based stain for my climate (hot summers with possible heavy or no rain winters) that I won’t have to clean/reapply yearly. Thank you.
Restore A Deck Semi-transparent stain. It is excellent and will not darken like the Penofin.
We want to stain our newly built pine wood deck and wondering which Armstrong Clark stain we should use. Based on the compromise between the UV protection and lighter color, we think the semi-transparent Cedar will be a good option. I understand that we need to reapply every 1-2 years. Will the color become darker as we keep applying the same color? If so, should we choose a transparent natural tone and reapply it every year? Or is there way to remove the stain before the reapplication?
No, when you prep and reapply, it does not become darker. As for new wood, see here: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
Semi-trans will last longer than Transparent colors.
Thank you for your quick reply. This is very helpful. Do these stains have a shelf life? Since you recommend reapplication in 12-18 months, does it make sense to buy enough for two applications?
Depends if opened or not. We would only get what you need for this time.
What if you need to wait until winter is over. Our deck is being finished in October. What month is soon enough to stain?
Spring would be better to prep and stain at this point.
Another question is what is the best stain to use on fresh cut pine? Should the stain have and oil base in it . Any particular oil. I do have linseed oil.
Linseed oil by itself will not work. See here: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Built a small cabin out of fresh cut pine from the sawmill.How long should I wait to stain the wood. This cabin does not see much daylight and is under the tree’s.
Wait a few months and then clean for prep. Stain with one of these brands: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Thank you for your great advice! For new pine decks, which type of stain do you recommend? Ie. transparent, semi transparent, or solid. Do they change the longevity of the stain? I’m looking for something that’s more less maintenance but also less damaging. Thank you so much!
See this about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
Just finished building a combination of 3 platforms and 34 steps out of 2”-#1 pine in western PA. About 50% is in the shade and the rest mostly sunny. My question besides the best type of stain is do I wait until spring or begin staining now. Thank you.
Do in Spring. Try Armstrong Clark or TWP 1500.
Can one use a Cabot oil stain with color after applying natural Cabot timer oil a one year ago on treated pine (KDAT)
As long as you prep according to their directions then yes.
I was told that if I use a behr cleaning solution I could stain my deck right away. It was just built 3 weeks ago. Please advise
Depends on the stain brand you are using, not the cleaner.
I’ve just built a large deck using new pressure treated pine (450 sqft). The amount of time rec. by stain companies before staining is all over the map from 1-12 months. I am here in the hot, muggy, and buggy weather of South Georgia that is constantly pushing the high 90s with a heat factor of over 100. The deck is both in partial shade and sun. How long should I reasonably wait before staining? By the way, thank you for your great and informative sight.
See this about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
About 3 months is normal but does vary based on the brand of stain you are using.
Just layed new deckboards on a 25 year old deck-looked great- 4 days of rain followed- went out to check boards today after several sunny days- there are several boards showing hairline cracks throughout the board- do you know what may have caused this and should I be concerned? After several months of weathering- should I sand or fill these cracks before cleaning/brightening and staining? Thanks for a great site! 🙂
Cracks are normal in exterior wood and not a big deal. Leave them as is. Wood filler will not work well.
Thanks for the reply! Should I sand the boards affected now and then allow deck to season for several months /or sand later/or leave cracks alone? Thanks.
Hi ! I live in boston and just completed a Pressure treated pine deck. When should I stain it before the weather changes ?
Wait about 3-6 months and use the TWP 1500 or the Armstrong Clark.
Pine or cedar on new deck being constructed mid December in southern Missouri? Do I need to use PT lumber? I can't stand the green tint. When finished staining I want deck to be rich brown Mahogany type color.
Use Cedar. It does not need to be pressure treated.