This post was updated on June 22, 2024
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My Review of the Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Solid Color Wood and Deck Stain is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me.
Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Solid Color Wood Deck Stain Review 2024
Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Solid Color Stain Review
This is our initial Review of the Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Solid Color Wood and Deck Stain. We will update this review throughout the years.
We appreciate your input. If you have used the SW SuperDeck Solid Color Deck stains, please leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects.
Summary: SuperDeck Solid Color Stain provides durable, opaque protection for many exterior horizontal wood surfaces. Featuring Cool Feel™ Color Technology helps reduce the surface temperature by up to 20°F when compared to conventional color technology.
SuperDeck Solid Color Deck Stain Review
How I Rated Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Solid Color Wood Stain
My Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Solid Color Stain review contains a 6-step process and the final average score. Each step is on a scale of 1-10.
- The appearance of Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Solid Color Wood Stain after Application
- Peeling or Wearing
- Cost Per Square Foot
- Preventing Mold and Mildew
- How Easy was the Application
- Ease of Reapplication
- Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Solid Color Final Score
6-Step Review of Super Deck Solid Color Wood Stain
1. Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 9
The SuperDeck Solid Color Stain was applied with an airless sprayer, roller, and brush. When finally finished, the two coats applied to our decking wood had no issues with appearance.
2. Wear/Tear and Peeling: 5
After 2 years, the SuperDeck Solid Color Stain showed wear on about 50% of the decking boards. The vertical railings did not have any issues.
Super Deck Solid Stain Peeling
3. Cost Per Square Foot: 6
We applied two coats to our 300 sq. feet of verticals, including all railings and steps. Two gallons were used at $58 per gallon.
4. Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 10
With the SuperDeck Solid Color Stain, the deck showed no signs of mold or mildew at the Two-Year mark.
5. Ease of Application: 6
The SuperDeck Solid Color Stain does not apply that easily. The solid stain is very thin, and coverage was not as good as the solid stains we tested. We needed to work the stain onto the wood for the best appearance.
6. Difficulty of Reapplication: 6
Sand or strip off the loose stain and reapply 1-2 coats.
Overall Score Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Solid Color Stain at 1 Year Period: 7.0
We are not a fan of Sherwin Willaims Deck restoration stains and products. Sherwin makes quality house paints and has repeatedly failed to engineer quality deck stains. The product looks and feels like a thin deck paint. Consumer reviews on their website are mixed with many complaining about the coverage and wearing: Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Solid Deck Stain Ratings
Product Information
More Info: Sherwin Williams
Cost: $57.99 per Gallon
Stain Type: Solid Color (Opaque) Wood Stain – Water Based
Available Custom-Mixed Solid Colors: Available with Cool Feel™ Technology in 20 colors
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coats Required: 2 Coats
Coverage Per Gallon: 150-250 sq. ft
Application Tools: Airless Sprayer, Brush, Roller
Dry Time: 2-4 Hours
Cleanup: Water
VOC Compliant: 50 VOC Compliant in all States
Manufacturer: Sherwin Williams
Test Deck Stats
Deck Wood Type: Pressure Treated Pine
Deck Square Footage: 300 Square feet
UV Exposure: Full Sun
How Many Years Tested: 2 Years
Stain Color Used: Custom Tinted Brown
*All products tested and results are from our experience. We offer no guarantee of similar results. Consider that results may differ due to different wood types, exposure to UV radiation, and natural weathering.
Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Stain Photos from Consumers
The Best Solid Color Deck Stain Video – DeckStainHelp.com
Questions on Sherwin Williams Solid Color Deck Stains? Ask Below!
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I was a licensed painting contractor in Oregon on the coast.
The Oregon coast has extreme conditions for weather.
I have spread thousands of gallons of Sherwin-Williams product.
I have used SW Deckscapes on literally hundreds of decks.
I have been happy with their product so far until they came out with their semi-solid water-based deck stain.
Within a year it bubbled and peeled up whereas I expected maybe 4 years of protection.
It does not act like a stain but more as a paint.
Absolutely horrible product stay away from it.
Hi Joe, thank you for helping me make up my mind – I was “on the fence” over which stain to use!
We are building a new house with a covered wrap around porch. Our New cedar boards just got delivered. I want a solid stain color, benjamin moore hc169, is what I want the stain to be. Contacted dufy with no response. Can you tell me another good brand near Seattle. Dufy is not anywhere near me. Thank u
You cannot stain the new wood yet:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
As for the best solid stains, see here: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
I have a screened in porch that is south-west facing in Georgia. We have used SuperDeck solid stain on the floor with very good results. We applied the first coat about 10 years ago and have applied a second coat, same color, after about five years. The stain has held up very well with no cracking, flaking or peeling. The color has faded some which is why we recoated after 5 years and will do the same this year. Keep in mind it is in a screened in porch that doesn’t get significantly wet and doesn’t stay wet. It does get a fair amount of traffic with two Labrador Retrievers and two kids. We are happy with the performance of the product.
Glad it has worked for you but your results are based on a screened in porch in a warm weather state with little to no adverse weather. Put it on an exposed deck in a cold weather state, and it will not perform nearly as well.
Hi Scott, what do you consider the best solution for repainting/restraining decks? I live in KY and usually thoroughly clean the wood before appling product. I have mixed results with Behr, SW, etc.
Thanks, Jay
See this for our top options: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
does 15 one gallon can of superdeck solid stain cover the same amount as 3 five gallon cans
Yes.
Oil based superdeck was once an excellent product up until Sherwin Williams purchased the company.
clearly they have changed the formula. Will never use it again. The new water based product is not compatible with the old original product. Sherwin Williams is absolutely the worst product on the market. Don’t waste your time or money on this junk.
We agree.
I just got in a light rain splash while putting on semi transparent
it seems to have small bubbles in the paint
is this something I something I can sand over when dry and stain again
No, you will have to remove all and start over.
Just used the solid (white) super deck on new outdoor cedar steps. Looks great and went on well. After two days I walked on the steps after it rained and my shoes were a little dirty. The dirt will not wash off the steps! Seriously? Who makes a deck stain that can’t be properly cleaned?
Sherwin Williams does.
I’ve had this stain on south facing deck now for three years. 0-120F degrees or more temps. It’s amazing. Top is 3 years old. Bottom I just restained. This is almost totally clear #1 red cedar deck. Curfed on bottom. If you ever used treated fir or pine on a deck you are crazy.
Gald it is working for you but this stain does have a high failure rate overall.
Not even one year and solid SuperDeck coming up in 3 inch patches. Starts as a pin hole and grows. I am sanding and reapplying since I paid 10,000. Class action suit against should have been paid out.
Hi Rachel. Im going through a nightmare with my deck and it’s just barely at a year. Has Sherwin offered to fix your deck based on their bad product?
I live in Canada and we had a product placed on our community decks of 115 units that peeled within the year (most likely water based). Now having to redo and have quotes from different contractors for Sherwin Williams Super Deck and Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Semi Solid Stain. Given the extreme cold during winter and wanting longevity – what is the best long term product, that you would suggest? We are open to suggestions and # of coats and if a top coat is required? Thank you
We would not use any of those brands. Try TWP 200 Series. You do not top coat over a deck stain unless you want it to peel.
Is this product available in Canada?
You can have it shipped there.
Just spoke with the manufacturer and they said the product 200 is made for roofs and not decks they have other solid amazing products in the TWP series that are unfortunately not available in Canada yet…..hopefully soon! So between the two products I mentioned above as my secondary option, which one?
Neither, both have serious issues with either turning black or peeling. Also, people use the TWP 200 for decks all the time.
Maybe look at Armstrong Clark.
I am a little confused, your topic “Wear/Tear and Peeling” I was taught stain soaks into the wood, paint or other products are TOP coatings and they can peel. Stain having soaked into the wood is now a part of the wood and wear, lots of wear is only way it erodes.
My plan stain then clear sealer (which can wear or peel needs reapplication/maintenance)
Correct me if wrong
You can never top coat a deck stain with a sealer, it will not adhere and peel.
Thank You, I was led down the wrong path
WHAT ARE THE DETAILS OF THE Sherwin Williams THREE YEAR WARRANTY FOR “SUPER DECK” WATERBORNE SEMI-TRANSPARENT STAIN?
The SW warranty is BS as it only overs product replacement when it fails and only if you follow directions 100%. The SW deck stains are not very good and will not last 3 years on a deck surface. Maybe 1-2.
Thanks for the response. Is an oil based or water based semi-transparent stain be the preferred?
Either is fine as long as it is a quality stain: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews-2020/
Thanks for your help!
I’ve used superdeck before, unless your able to stain all 6 edges your going to have peeling of the paint .
We have a summer home on the ocean with westerly winds and winter rain.
I’ve been replacing boards over a couple of years and painting all sides and they are standing up to the weather.
With our weather conditions we get 2-3 yrs before I paint again. Covered area 4 years and still looks good.
Don’t get the color Oxford Brown! It’s purple and Sherwin Williams won’t do anything about the fact that the swatch is completely different than the paint.
Not sure what I could have done better/different to prepare my PT deck for Sherwin Williams Super Deck. After three liberal brushed on coats it looked good when the sun was shining, but when it rained only 25% beaded water. worse than that, less than six months later there appears to be a slight blackening, that I’m hoping will sand off easily. regardless of how I get it off, Sherwin Williams will never be going back on.
The prep:
Pressure treated was applied around February 2019 (I didn’t own the house at that time). Sometime in July, once I felt the wood had some time to dry and before it began checking like crazy, I. began to sand the wood. I realize many people never take this step (especially to the degree I did) but we intend to spend the majority of our time on the deck barefooted. Also, I wanted the uneven areas where butt ends meet to be perfectly flush. I started at 40 grit on a Festool rotex sander, and went up to 80 grit. after blowing off all the fresh sawdust, we applied three coats of Sherwin Williams Super Deck with the recommended Sherwin Williams brush. We did not apply the stain in direct mid day sun, and made sure previous coats were plenty dry prior to additional applications. I would also note that while sanding the wood, the dust did not clog up the sand paper. this indicated to me that the wood had enough time to dry out prior to being finished. The deck faces SSW, and is in full sun throughout the bulk of the day.
After spending so much time on prep, with the mindset of doing it right the first time, I cannot express how dissatisfied I am with this product.
Were you able to paint all sides
Stay away from the Superdeck with SW label! It’s not the same product that Duckback has been making for years and which I still purchase through other retailers, such as Ace Hardware and local lumber yards. Buy the product with the Duckback label (leaf on the can..and it does not say “Sherwin Williams”) and you won’t be disappointed. I believe SW, who purchased Duckback, put the Superdeck name onto their Deckscapes line which is tintable. Tintable seems great, but if the finish is awful, who cares how many colors they can make for me! I successfully sanded and stained with the non-SW product a few years ago. The client was extremely happy and had me back two years later for the same process. This time I grabbed the Superdeck with SW label for convenience, otherwise it was the identical product (oil based formula, semi-transparent, stock “redwood” color). The result with the SW labeled product was vastly was INFERIOR. It looked brassy and sat on top of the wood, unlike what I expect from Superdeck: a rich oil that penetrates beautifully into the wood. Same crew. Same deck. I’ve been on a mission to figure out why the difference, and eventually a SW rep told me what’s what. Stick with the Duckback label product sold OUTSIDE of SW. It’s excellent. I’m an 18-yr deck refinishing contractor and it’s our go to.
Is there any guarantee with this product? My deck was power washed prior to application and two years latter it shows all sorts of wear including on the tops of the railings.
Best to check with them but it does not surprise us that it peeled. We see it a lot.
Absolutely horrible product.
10 year warranty I was given. It peeled up in 18 months. I got replacement product from SW at no cost, but cost a fortune to have it redone. Labor is not covered.
There isn’t a product on the market that could guarantee 10 yrs.
I had a different reputable deck company follow the SW rep advice and sanded and reapplied the stain provided. Six months later and it is bubbling and peeling up again in only six months this time and only winter and spring sun. I just had the rep deliver two more gallons. Plan on selling the house soon. Will file a claim with Maryland home improvement commission.
My show it in 6 months super bad paint
One of the franchise deck restoration companies uses the sherwin Williams line of superdeck products and they include a guarantee on chipping, peeling, and fading. The franchise has been around for about 30 years and would seem that if they are giving this. Type of guarantee that they’d have to change it as there would be too many problems with people asking for guarantee type issues either refunds or corrective measures. Could it be that SW has tweaked the ingredients to help on the issues you described ?
SW Super Deck does not chip or peel when done correctly as it is penetrating. It will turn black or fade. No way around that. Of course, the warranty is limited otherwise they would be redoing decks for free every year or two.
No company we know of has been around 30 years. We are in our 27th year of restoring decks and one of the very first.
DeckReady of Reisterstown, MD offered me a 10 year warranty using Superdeck 9600. Labor was excluded after the first year. It peeled up 50% after 18 months. It took them 6 months of me fighting them through BBB and state licensing to get them to give me a few gallons of this horrible product. Had to pay another contractor a fortune to sand and reapply and it still looks awful. Looks like it will be peeling up again in no time.
Don’t buy S.W decks is bad
Used this garbage 2 months ago on a customers deck was fine for 1st 2 months now all the sudden it has started to blister bad under sunlight anyone lmow why i powerwashed an left dry for 3 days b4 i stained it
It’s a crap product. Sherwin williams says it doesn’t do well with strong sun shining on it – called it an extreme condition.
Too much bubbling!! I followed all the instructions but there were way too many unsightly bubbles left on the deck surface.
I have been using this product and its predecessor for 15 years on my porch which wraps around to a deck in the rear. I take my time and prep everything correctly. Two coats as directed. It works well for me. I reapply every 4 years.