This post was updated on May 1, 2024
Deck Stain Brands in 2026
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Exterior wood and decks stains are all designed to protect and preserve your exterior wood from the elements. Decks stain brands differ though drastically in the ingredients, solids, etc. Deck stains also come in a variety of types: Transparent, Semi-Transparent, and Semi-Solids that will determine the opacity of the stain when applied to the wood
In this article, we will compare the deck stain brands that we have reviewed to give a better understanding of physical properties, application info, and any other useful data that can help you determine which stain to use.
Deck Stain Brands
| Armstrong Clark | Behr Premium Wood Stain | Benjamin Moore Arbor Coat | Cabot Australian Timber Oil | Defy Extreme |
| Oil-Based Penetrating Stain | Water Based Acrylic Filming Staining | Water Based Acrylic Filming Staining | Oil Based Penetrating Stain | Water Based Penetrating Stain |
| Transparent, Semi-Transparent, Semi-Solid | Semi-Transparent | Semi-Solid | Semi-Transparent | Semi-Transparent |
| 1-2 Coats | 2 Coats | 1 Coat Base, 1 Top Coat | 1 Coat | 1-2 Coats wet on wet |
| 200-250 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 150-250 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 150-250 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 150-250 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 100-200 Sq. Feet Per Gallon |
| Paint Thinner Cleanup | Water Cleanup | Water Cleanup | Paint Thinner Cleanup | Water Cleanup |
| 4-12 Hours Drying | 4 Hours Drying | 4 Hours Drying | 4-24 Hours Drying | 1-4 Hours Drying |
| Compliant All States | Compliant All States | Compliant All States | Compliant All States | Compliant All States |
| Defy Ultra | IPE Oil | Flood CWF-Oil | Messmers | One Time |
| Water Based Penetrating Stain | Oil-Based Penetrating Stain | Oil-Based Penetrating Stain | Oil-Based Penetrating Stain | Oil-Based Penetrating Stain |
| Semi-Transparent | Semi-Transparent | Semi-Transparent | Transparent and Semi-Transparent | Semi-Transparent (100% Solids) |
| 1-2 Coats wet on wet | 1 Coat | 2 Coats | 1-2 Coats | 1-2 Coats |
| 100-200 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 250 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 150-250 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 150-250 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 300 Sq. Feet Per Gallon |
| Water Cleanup | Paint Thinner Cleanup | Paint Thinner Cleanup | Paint Thinner Cleanup | Paint Thinner Cleanup |
| 1-4 Hours Drying | 4-8 Hours Drying | 4-24 Hours Drying | 4-12 Hours Drying | 12-72 Hours Drying |
| Compliant All States | Compliant All States | Compliant All States | Compliant All States | Compliant All States |
| Penofin | Ready Seal |
SW Deckscapes |
Sikkens SRD |
SW Super Deck |
| Oil-Based Penetrating Stain | Oil-Based Penetrating Stain | Oil-Based Penetrating Stain and Water Based Filming | Oil Based Penetrating Stain | Oil-Based Penetrating Stain |
| Transparent and Semi-Transparent | Transparent and Semi-Transparent | Semi-Transparent | Semi-Transparent | Transparent and Semi-Transparent |
| 1-2 Coats | 2 Coats | 1-2 Coats | 1-2 Coats | 1-2 Coats |
| 200-250 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 75-150 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 150-250 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 150-250 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 150-300 Sq. Feet Per Gallon |
| Paint Thinner Cleanup | Paint Thinner Cleanup | Water Cleanup or Paint Thinner | Paint Thinner Cleanup | Paint Thinner Cleanup |
| 4-24 Hours Drying | 4-48 Hours Drying | 4-24 Hours Drying | 4-24 Hours Drying | 4-48 Hours Drying |
| Compliant All States | Compliant All States | Compliant All States | Compliant All States | Compliant All States |
| Rust-Oleum Deck Restore |
Thompsons | TWP Stains |
Wolman Durastain |
| Water Based Acrylic Filming Staining | Oil-Based Penetrating Stain | Oil-Based Penetrating Stain | Water Based Acrylic Filming Staining |
| Solid Stain | Transparent | Semi-Transparent | Semi-Solid |
| 2 Coats | 1-2 Coats | 1-2 Coats wet on wet | 1-2 Coats |
| 50-100 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 150-250 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 150-250 Sq. Feet Per Gallon | 100-200 Sq. Feet Per Gallon |
| Water Cleanup | Paint Thinner Cleanup | Paint Thinner Cleanup | Water Cleanup |
| 4-12 Hours Drying | 4 Hours Drying | 4-24 Hours Drying | 2-8 Hours Drying |
| Compliant All States | Compliant All States | *1500 Compliant All States – *100 is compliant in only 33 States |
Compliant All States |
TWP has worked pretty well, but I would consider alternatives that are considered comparable or better.
Look at this kit if using TWP again: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/product/restore-a-deck-package-300/
If switching, use this kit:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/product/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit/
My Ipe deck was last stained with TWP 100 cedartone approx. 3 years ago. The stain has largely faded off and the wood has mostly silvered. I am interested in restaining to restore a warm color. What are best products for cleaning and re-sealing.
Same TWP brand or want to switch brands?
Why do you not mention PPG stains?
We have reviewed them. See here: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/?s=ppg&id=19718
We are not fans of any of their brands.
I have a 10 year old ipe deck that I generally clean and stain with Cabot Australian Timber Oil. Due to knee replacement surgery 3 years ago, I missed my 2-year cleaning. I used Penofin Cleaner but it looks like I need to do a second application as I can scrape crud off some of the boards with my fingernail. Is it okay to use Cabot wood brightener after the cleaning or should I stick with the Penofin brightener?
I will be using the Cabot product again for staining.
Thanks
Peter
Pictures?
the first 2 pictures are before using Penofin cleaner, second 2 are after using cleaner. you can see the one board still has a lot of crud
You need to strip and brighten this for prep. Cleaner is not sufficient prep.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/deck-stripping-removing-an-old-deck-stain/
Interesting, Ive never stripped the stain before. If I use the Penofin stripper, will I need to use the cleaner again or go straight to brightener?
Can these be done one after the other or do I need to wait a day?
Thanks
This is due to the very uneven appearance and random “black” stains. The end results will be much better.
Do you recommend applying a second coat of the Penofin Cleaner after using the stripper?
No need, just brighten after stripping.
Follow up question, would you use Cabot Australian Timber Oil or Penofin Oil to finish my deck? Or do you have a better recommendation and if so, why? My deck gets about 3-4 hours of full sun in the afternoon.
Thanks
Neither. Penofin has known issues of turning black over time:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/penofin-hardwood-wood-stain-review-updated/
Cabot changed their formulas when they were acquired by Zinser. Not nearly as good as they used to be:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/cabot-australian-timber-oil-review/
See this for better options:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
Okay, thanks for the help, I’ll send finished pictures.
Interesting, in the past I’ve only used the Penofin cleaner and brightener never stripped the finish. Is there a reason I should strip the finish? If I use a stripper do I need to clean again or can I go straight to the brightener?
Recommended sealer/stain for soon to be install new cedar privacy fence w/either postmaster or powder coated steel, post’s in Chicagoland/O’hare area? Thanks.
See here about new wood, it will be the same for a privacy fence unless the wood on the fence is rough sawn cut:
Staining a New Deck
I am building a new home that has douglas Fir Posts and Beams exterior. I am trying to determine the best penotrating oil stain to protect from elements of cold winters and hot sunny summers central Wa northwest area.
I’ve looked into
Ready Seal
Cabots Australian oil
Messmers UV plus
Help please 🙏
Thanks Jerry
Hi Jerry,
Look at the TWP 1500 Series:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/twp-1500-wood-and-deck-stain-review/
or
Armstrong Clark Stains:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/armstrong-clark-wood-deck-stain-review/
How is arborcoat stain for pressure treated deck
We would never use it: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/tag/benjamin-moore-arborcoat/
We have used Rymar Extreme Weather Wood Sealer in past years, but the price is high. Do you know how it would compare to TWP? We’ve seen too many ruined decks when using a bad product that flakes or peels or just doesn’t last.
TWP is a much better stain. Fully penetrating. Make sure to strip and brighen to remove the Rymar before switching stain brands.
Related question – the redwood bars are installed over newly painted Hardie Board. Will oil or water based products applied to the redwood to protect from UV cause/activate anything to seep out and down discoloring the Hardie below? Thanks again.
No, it should not.
Thank you Scott!
What is the best way to treat maybe 60 sq. feet of 1.5″ redwood kiln dried horizontal bars which are the infill of a rebuilt balcony. The bars are approx 2″ apart. There are four infills total. The redwood is straight from the lumber yard, and a few black tannin(?) lines are visible. Added color not necessary but would like to retain the redwood color and protect against UV but not have to strip anything off to retreat with whatever. Oil or water? Transparent or semi? Want to make the right choice as I understand once you pick a product, that’s what you will retreat with(?) Some rain and but lots of west facing sun. Top two choices, and then how and when would we retreat for protection with what. My head is exploding trying to sort all these options! Thanks. (Suggested to us: Messmer’s UV Plus, Cabot, Cutek, Penofin) Please include the specific Brands and types so I get it right.
You cannot stain this yet. Next Spring to prep and stain. See tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
Try Armstrong Clark stains or Restore A Deck Stains.
Also, your stain must be tinted for UV protection: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/will-a-clear-sealer-prevent-graying-on-deck/
In those brands you mention, what would be the most neutral/natural-looking for redwood tint I could use, but still get UV protection? And what level of tint do you recommend for these horizontal bars? (semi trans, etc..) Thanks.
Both AC and RAD Stains have a Natural Tint color. It would be similar to a clean wet look, similar to if water was on it.
having my cedar sliding painted/stained and one uses arborcoat and the other bid is woodscapes (sherman williams)
its a big job and I dont want to make a bad decision… it seems both products are average at best…. its it costly to move to a better product…
both painter say they will guarantee work for 3 years..
What stain is a best buy stain?
We wouldn’t use either but if we had to choose, probably the Benjamin Moore. We do not trust any SW products.
Hi. We’re doing the same thing and i’d love to know what you ended up using and how it’s turned out? We’ve always used Sikkens (now PPG PROLUXE™ brand) but that has gotten so expensive (along w/ everything else) that I’m looking for an alternative that is as comparable (as possible) since I’m going to need about 20-25 gallons for the project. I’m scared to pick a product that will end up costing more in the longrun!! Thanks for your comments!
I have a new deck built in May 2022 with pressure treated pine and the boards were sanded and it get’s a lot of sun. Which stains are best suited. TWP Semi Solid, or Armstrong Clark ? Maybe something else ?
See new wood tips here: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Thanks ! Is there a particular brand you would recommend that I use?
TWP or AC would work well after the weathering and prep.
I’m having an outdoor kitchen built and using ruff cut beams and ruff cut boards to wrap with on interior. It has 4/12 and 10/10 columns. I want to keep the wood finish look and with a stain and poly on it, I feel like the weather and sun will have me redoing the stain and clear yearly. What type stain do you recommend that will last and keep the new look. Tongue and groove ceiling.
Never apply a poly over a stain for exterior use. It will blister and peel. Try Restore A Deck Wood semi-transparent stains or TWP 1500 Series.
Can you add M1 Mildew treatment to TPW semi solid stain?
No need. TWP already contains an EPA-registered mildewcide in it.
I have a 23 year old cedar home with redwood deck…exclusively Superdeck Valley 1906. What product is close in color…cant use valley anymore
Sorry but no idea as to what is close to that color but as far as using a similar (oil-based) and a better product, try TWP 1500 Series.
We have the same issue. We’ve used Superdeck Transparent Valley 1906 for 15 years.
Moss – Did you find a color match?
What would you recommend is the best solid stain on the market? I’m looking for the highest quality solid stain, oil is preferred but let me know the best one. Price isn’t an issue
See our article on this subject here:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
What is your experience/tested Rymar deck stain.
Sorry but we do not have any,
Contractor is recommending a product called SharkSkin for my cedar house siding staining. Never heard of this product? Any feedback on it?
Sorry but never used it or heard of it.