All Deck Stains Reviewed by Scott Paul 5/5 (1)

This post was updated on February 17, 2025

Here, I’ve created a hub of featured product information and many of my reviews of deck stains, cleaners, brighteners, and more. I’ve created three categories: Featured products, other deck stain reviews, and specialty products reviews. Be sure to check out my latest recommendations on the best stains.

Featured Products

TWP 100 Pro Series Wood Deck StainThe stain is available in eight colors and works best on wood that is at least four months old (not new wood). It protects very well for two to three years without much discoloration and effectively prevents mold, mildew, and algae.

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Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Stain

Offered in five colors, this water-based stain protects very well against the elements for two years. Because it may be applied to damp wood, it’s a great time saver that allows for completing the prepping and staining process in one day.

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Armstrong Clark Wood Deck Stain

A long-standing manufacturer, AC makes oil-based stains that are transparent, semi-transparent, and semi-solid. Its special formula uses non-drying oils to penetrate and renew the wood’s appearance and drying oils to form a protective surface barrier.

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TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series Stain

The stain is available in 30 colors and works best on wood that is a minimum of four months old. It protects very well against UV rays, and DIYers usually find it easy to apply (and reapply).

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TWP 1500 Series Wood and Deck Stain

This oil-based, semi-transparent formula is available in 10 shades and contains an EPA-approved wood preservative, making it allowable in all 50 states. It effectively prevents graying, wearing, and peeling for over two years.

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TWP Natural Effect Impregnating Stain

This pricey, water-based stain is applied as the first of a two-step process that is finished with the TWP Natural Effect Top Coat. Using a European-designed formula, it effectively protects against graying, mold, and mildew without much discoloration.

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Defy Extreme Wood and Deck

This is among the best penetrating water-based stains and delivers multi-year protection. It may be applied when the prepped wood is visibly dry, making it a time saver.

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Other Stains We Review

Oil-Based Deck Stain Product Reviews

I generally prefer oil-based stains because they deeply penetrate, showcase the wood’s natural appearance, and are easily maintained. Check out the following reviews.

Water-Based Deck Stain Product Reviews

Water-based stains offer benefits such as being fast drying, eco-friendly, and easy to clean with soap and water. The following are my reviews.

Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Product Reviews

I favor oil-based, semi-transparent stains that penetrate well because they offer several key advantages. They contain some pigment to enhance the wood’s appearance, allow visibility of the natural wood grain, offer fairly good UV protection, and are easy to clean and reapply. See my recent reviews.

Semi-Solid Deck Stain Product Reviews

Semi-solid stains have properties that provide numerous benefits, such as allowing some visibility of the natural wood grain and offering very good UV protection. Oil-based semi-solids usually penetrate better than water-based options. Some recent reviews include:

Solid Color Stain Product Reviews

Solid or opaque deck stains have “paint-like” characteristics, making them perfect for older decks with imperfections to hide, decks exposed to constant sunlight, and for coating railings and vertical surfaces. See the following reviews:

Hardwood Deck Stain Product Reviews

Hardwoods such as teak or oak are very dense, so most stains won’t deeply penetrate them. That’s why I evaluate them after one year rather than two.

IPE and Hardwood Stain Product Reviews

Ipe and other “exotic” hardwoods have premium prices but are extremely durable and eye-catching when regularly stained. I recommend cleaning and recoating every 6-12 months with a specialty stain. Be sure to also read my article on the best stains for IPE hardwood.

Specialty Product Reviews

Deck Cleaner Product Reviews

Before staining, the deck should be pre-wet, scrubbed thoroughly using a good-quality deck cleaner, gently rinsed, and brightened. Be sure to check out my Best Deck Cleaners of 2025 in addition to the individual product reviews below.

Deck Resurface Stain Product Reviews

Thanks to their “paint-like” consistency, wood resurfacing products help minimize cracks and wear found on older or poorly maintained decks. I find these to be a very short-term fix (one year max) and often encourage replacing damaged boards instead.

Deck Brightener Product Reviews

I recommend applying a deck brightener (neutralizer) after cleaning to expand the wood’s pores and enable better stain penetration.

Deck Stain Stripper Product Reviews

Applying a good-quality stripper is sometimes needed to remove stubborn stains, paint, or other coatings.

Please Rate This. You may also post comments or ask questions below.

Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993 Owner

As an article and comment contributor to the site, Scott has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college. In 1993 he started his first company called Oakland Pressure Wash specializing in exterior pressure washing and deck staining. That company evolved into OPW L.L.C. shortly thereafter concentrating more on exterior wood and deck restoration. Scott and his Deck Cleaning Michigan company have restored over 10,000 decks in the Metro Detroit area since the early years. He has become an authority in the deck restoration industry and has contributed to numerous wood restoration forums and informative sites. All the products he suggests through this site are sold through online sites and in retail stores, allowing the consumer to choose their own means of purchase. Scott’s eCommerce sites do sell many top brands he endorses and if you appreciate any of the help he has offered then feel free to purchase from one of them.

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monicapiccirillo

23 days ago

Hello Mr. Paul, I have a couple of questions. I’m not sure if this is where I can ask. I do apologize if I’m in the wrong place to post questions.

This is my first time staining my fence and my first time on your site, which by the way is so informative.

My predicament is the types of staining for my fence. I have non-treated unfinished beaded/smooth brown pine wood boards. I have researched the types of staining and not sure which one to use.

Question #1:
Should I use oil based stain or water based stain for my brown pine wood?

Question #2:
Should I use semi-transparent or semi-solid stain for my brown pine wood?

Thank you for your help!

Monica P.

Author

Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993

21 days ago

Reply to monicapiccirillo

Use a penetrating semi-transparent stain: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/

It does not matter the base as long as it fully penetrates the wood. Make sure to prep the wood properly. If the wood is new, it needs to weather for 3-4 months before prep and stain.

Reply to Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993

Good Afternoon Mr. Paul,

Thank you so much for replying to my post as well as sending me your site information about my topic questions.

I did forget to mention that I live in Southwest Florida. I did a ton of research on staining for my new brown pine wood. I have read a lot on your site as well and it did help a lot with my other questions I did have.

I have read so much about using oil based and water based stains. The different sites are conflicting on using water or oil based stains. One site said oil based stains are much better on pine wood and then another site said that water based stains are better for pine wood. I do know what they both provide to pine wood, but I want an expert to help me decide.

I have had to replace a lot of my pine wood on my fence because many areas were moldy and rotted even with the stain on it. There were areas that my previous fence installers did not stain, which were under my pine wood boards that are vertical that go over where the wood connects to hide the board connections and screws. However, I’m not sure what kind of stain they used (oil or water base).

I want a penetrating stain that is best for mold, rot, moisture, etc. and will last a long time. Even though I do know what the oil and water based stains provide to the fence, I still do not know which one to pick.

Can you please let me know what you would use if it were your fence?

I will definitely use the semi-transparent stain. Thank you for that recommendation.

In addition, on your site I have read all of the different companies that make the stains and I see what the best ones are. However, I will need to buy about 25 five gallon cans of stain so I’m looking for an affordable stain that will do the job well. Do you have any recommendations on what affordable stains that I could use for my brown pine wood?

I do want to say that I love your website. It’s so informative!

Thank you so much for your help!

Monica Piccirillo

20 days ago

Look at Restore-A-Deck semi-transparent stains if you want to go water-based, which has less chance of attracting mold or mildew compared to oil-based stains.