This post was updated on January 18, 2023
Pittsburgh Paramount Exterior Stain Semi-Transparent Review
The Pittsburgh Paramount Stain was introduced in Menards in the last couple of years. The product is actually the exact same thing as the Olympic ELITE Advanced Stain + Sealant in One (Lowes) and the PPG Timeless, just relabeled for Menards use. They have two versions of the stain at a different price point. The Paramount and the Ultra. Pittsburgh tried to discern the two by saying one will last longer but in reality, neither of these stains will last more than 1-2 years. This is their acrylic water-based version.
Pittsburgh Paramount Stain Review
Pittsburgh Paramount Deck Stain
Manufacturer Description
Reveal and protect the true beauty of your wood with Pittsburgh Paints & Stains Paramount advanced stain and sealant in one. Its Color-enhanced technology provides UV protection allowing the stain to retain its richness and beauty longer. Paramount exterior wood stain also offers waterproofing protection, mildew resistance, and urethane fortified resins, creating the most durable protection for your wood. Simply our best with lifetime results guaranteed.
Pittsburgh Paints & Stains Paramount exterior wood stain and sealant semi-transparent/semi-solid offers one product in two beautiful choices. Semi-transparent provides subtle color to enrich wood’s natural grain. Semi-solid provides the same rich color but more hide for wood with imperfections. It delivers extreme weather protection & durability and a rich, penetrating color. It is available in 14 beautiful, long-lasting colors.
Pittsburgh Paramount Exterior Wood Stain Sealant in One Scores (1-10)
Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 6
– Pittsburgh Paramount Exterior Wood Stain + sealer in one. We used a cedar color The appearance of the final stain finish was an orange-brown color that did not seem to enhance the beauty of the wood as well as we had expected. The Pittsburgh Paramount Exterior Wood Stain did penetrate very well and did form a film on top of the wood.
Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 7
–At the 2-year test mark, Pittsburgh Paramount Exterior Wood Stain did hold up pretty decent with an estimated 70% color retention. Some fading and graying were noticed in traffic areas.
Wear/Tear and Peeling: 6
–As mentioned the Pittsburgh Paramount Exterior Wood Stain did show signs of fading and a little peeling. Most of the fading and wearing was on the horizontal surface like the tops of the handrails and deck flooring. There were almost bare areas with no stain left in the high traffic sections of the deck.
Cost Per Square Foot: 6
– It took 4 gallons total of Pittsburgh Paramount Exterior Wood Stain to coat the entire 600 square foot deck. The manufacturer claims 250-350 square feet per gallon but we experienced closer to 150-200 feet per gallon.
Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 7.5
– Pittsburgh Paramount Exterior Wood Stain plus Sealer provided an average mildew-resistant coating and did an okay job at preventing fungal growth.
Ease of Application: 7.5
– The Pittsburgh Paramount Exterior Wood Stain was average to apply. We did a one-coat application using a stain pad and did not get great coverage. We did not notice any overlap marks when finished.
Color Shifting (darkening) after 2 Years: 7
– At the 2-year mark, we did notice some darkening due to mildew but the Pittsburgh Paramount Exterior Wood Stain did lighten up on 90% of the deck.
The Difficulty of Reapplication: 7
– We did have to strip the old stain off due to bare wood and graying showing in high traffic areas and lightening of the stain in other areas.
Overall Score Pittsburgh Paramount Stain at 2 Year Period: 7.0
– The Pittsburgh Paramount Exterior Wood Stain + Sealant was an average score overall. The stain did hold up fairly well except in high traffic areas and some mildew was present. We were not overly happy with the coverage rates and will have to strip the stain off prior to recoating to remove the mildew.
Pittsburgh Paramount Deck Stain Photos
Product Information:
Where To Buy: Menards
Cost: $43.99 per Gallon for Paramount. $35.99 for Ultra.
Stain Type: Semi-Transparent and Semi-Solid Water-Based
Available Colors: 14 Colors. Custom Mixed.
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coats Required: 1-2 Coats
Coverage Per Gallon: 150-200 sq. ft
Application Tools: Sprayer, Pad, Brush, Roller – Back brush as needed.
Dry Time: 24 Hours
Cleanup: Water
VOC Compliant: 25 Compliant
Manufacturer: PPG
Test Deck Stats:
Deck Wood Type: Cedar
Deck Square Footage: 500
UV Exposure: Full sun
How Many Years Tested: 2 Years
Stain Color Used: Cedar
*All products tested and results are from our experience. We offer no guarantee of similar results. Take into consideration that results may differ due to different wood types, exposure to UV radiation, and natural weathering.</em
Deck Stain Help & Questions
Stain Reviews & Comparisons
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.
If your looking for a solid low luster stain DO NOT BUY! it is more like a semi gloss . Used this on my siding and it shows every flaw and blemish. Terrible stain p
Just got done using Pittsburgh weather screen semi transparent stain. It’s like putting on koolaid on you deck. THE Worse stain EVER! NEVER BUY IT AGAIN!!
We used this stain and it looked like paint and it peeled off with the first year. We would not suggest this product.
Last summer I used Ultra Advanced Exterior Stain – Toner in cedar finish on a one year old “treated wood” deck. It covered (stained) in one coat and so far this summer it still looks great. I’m guessing next summer I’ll give the steps and top railing a second coat. Most deck stain companies say to do a “touch-up” or restain every few years.
Bottom line is I’m very happy with my choice of Pittsburgh stain-toner!
We recently used Pittsburgh Paramount Warm Teak in the satin semi transparent. First of all, the satin came out as a high gloss, the warm teak came out as a dark chocolate brown. Parts of the deck are shiny, others are dull. Some of the stain puddled and formed blisters. The deck gets so hot from the dark color, you cannot stand on it. When I talked with someone from Pittsburgh and gave them all of the facts, I was told I should have only used one coat. Two coats will cause these problems, especially the darker color and the shiny finish. . It was clearly printed on the can…BETTER RESULTS WITH 2 COATS. Pittsburgh did refund my money for the stain, but I am still left with a $700 bill for the workman plus a deck that is ruined! I will never use a Pittsburgh product again.
Used the Pittsburg deck cedar sealer in the fall of 2022, there are many patches that washed out over the winter, it’s the worst sealer and stain we have ever used, bar none.
I I used ppg deck sealer, and applied using spray. Unfortunately I got overspray on sidewalk. The sidewalk is just regular sidewalk, not trowled to a smooth finish. I tried Rustoleum paint and stripper, and it didn’t work. What other options would you recommend?
Try a graffiti remover cleaner and pressure washing
Can I get it near me
No idea.
I used Pittsburgh Paramount advanced penetrating oil on my deck stairs. Do I need to add a sealant as well to better protect the wood? This is a new staircase with cedar wood.
You cannot apply a sealer over a deck stain, it will peel.
Any ideas on how this would hold up on a cedar picket fence?
We would not suggest using the product.
Goes on beautiful and stays looking that way. Applied to cedar fence with Graco magnum power plus paint sprayer. Very luxurious flat finish. Oxford brown. Better than the Olympic version of the stain.
Can I put 2 coats on my deck after 24hrs
It may peel if over applied.
Can you apply a second coat
Only if the wood is absorbent.
Will your solid color stain ultra advance cover what is left of the revitalize product we used? We have tried to remove the revitalize product but some of it could not be pried off the deck.
These are not our products but to answer your question, no, you must remove the current coating 100% first.
Has anyone done a review of the Paramount Oil based stain?
Is there any real lasting difference between using the Pittsburg Paramount Exterior semi transparent vs the Pittsburg Ultra on spindles? I used the expensive Paramount Stain on my deck and it faded fast….but I need to paint the vertical spindles to match the Paramount color I used and the Ultra is $5 less but claims to be equally endurable!
It will not matter on spindles. Lasts the same.
Thanks!
I noticed the Ultra is NOT oil based …does that affect the durability and longevity of the semi transparent stain compared to the oil based Paramount?
No.
Thanks!
I used Pittsburgh Ultra advanced stain and sealant in one, canyon stone and now this year deck is faded, less than a year.
Can this product be used on cement.?
No.
I applied Pittsburg Paramount Semi Transparent Stain to my cedar deck in June/July of 2018. My deck was installed in 2007 ,so I replaced and applied the stain to only the horizontal boards. I have a South facing deck exposed to full sun for about 6-7 hrs daily. It was only one year after my 2018 application that I noticed the full sun areas (90%) were extremely fading while the small panels (3 boards), which are constantly shaded next to the house, were only 30% faded. My neighbor ,with the exact same sized deck, had a stain commercially applied, well over 8 years ago for $800 and it looks incredible, no fading! It’s not transparent but still shows puddles after rain….similar to a good wax on a car! I’m debating on having to sand my deck and apply TWP 100 for a couple hundred dollars…not knowing how fast it will fade and also knowing it must be redone in 2-3 years maximum…..or go with the Lifetime Guarantee application my neighbor had done!