Is It Better to Stain or Seal a Deck? 5/5 (1)

Is it better to stain or seal a deck?

It is always better to stain a deck rather than just seal it. Clear deck sealers may protect against water but little else. It is better to use a semi-transparent penetrating deck stain because it will both seal the wood against moisture damage while also protecting against sun damage. The best semi-transparent penetrating deck stains are TWP, Armstrong Clark, and Restore-A-Deck.

Penetrating deck stains also wear more evenly and make it easy to reapply as needed. Clear sealers sit on top of the wood and can crack and peel, failing faster than the best deck stains. The fact they are clear also means that they do not offer UV protection.

More information on stain or seal a deck

• Best Deck Stain and Sealer
• Why Penetrating Deck Stains are Best
• Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Reviews

Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993 Owner

Scott Paul is the founder and owner of DeckStainHelp.com. He has worked in exterior wood and deck restoration since 1993, when he started Oakland Pressure Wash in Metro Detroit, and has restored more than 10,000 decks over three decades in the field. Everything reviewed here is tested the way a contractor tests it: applied to real wood, in real weather, and watched over multiple seasons. No manufacturer pays for a review, a rating, or a placement on this site. Read Scott's full bio and the list of sites he operates.

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