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Best Deck Stains 2018

What is the Best Deck Stain?

Update for 2018 on What is the Best Deck Stain: This is the updated version of our most popular article on DeckStainHelp.com. We help by guiding consumers in finding a high quality and low maintenance deck stain based on a series of questions. This article alone had had almost 15,000 Q&A questions and over 400 Star Rating/Reviews to date. We will be updating this article by including some answers to our most popular questions.

Please visit our updated article here: The Best Deck Stains?

What is the Best Deck Stain?

This is the most popular question that deck owners have. Unfortunately, there is not a “best” deck stain out there. There are products that are better than others, but there is not one that will outperform every other stain.

A better way to approach this common question is to ask, “what is the best stain for my deck and it’s environment”? Just because a deck stain performs well in the Northeast part of the country does not mean it will perform well in the high altitudes of Arizona. There are also VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Laws the come into effect for different parts of the country. This may limit what is available in your state. For example, TWP 100 Series cannot be used in 17 states that have a low VOC content of 250.

To understand a deck stain and its potential longevity, we should first look at the main reasons deck stains fail:

UV rays from the sun will damage the wood resulting in degradation of the wood cell structure. This will break down the stain while causing the wood to oxidize (turn gray).
Water, snow, and ice will cause damage to the wood by breaking down the exposed cellular structure.
Freeze/thaw will expand and contract the wood resulting in the stain “bond” with the wood cells to fail.
Mold, mildew, and algae will leave the wood unsightly/dirty and can result in rotting.
High traffic areas will leave “wearing” patterns.
The previous stain used was of low quality or applied poorly.
The Stain was not applied properly or the wood was not prepped properly prior to application. Bad prep is the number one reason stains prematurely fail!

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The Best Deck Stains?

Armstrong Clark in Rustic Brown

Update 2018 Please read this article and post any questions you have in the comment are below. Our newly enhanced website now offers the ability to upload and post pictures of your exterior wood or deck. This will help us determine the proper prep and overall condition of your deck, leading to better performance.

This is an updated version of our most popular article What is the Best Deck Stain? We have had over 15,000 Q&A questions for the first article, helping consumers find the best wood and deck stain for their deck and specific environment.

The point of this article and DeckStainHelp.com is to offer guidance in choosing a quality deck stain that works well and will not create larger issues down the road when time to reapply. We have updated our original article by including answers to some of the most popular questions that we receive.

Here are some of our most popular answers to remember, before proceeding with any questions below:

No deck stain will last 5+ years. A good quality stain will last 2 or maybe 3 years on a deck floor (horizontal) and typically twice as long on railings, siding, etc. (verticals).
Penetrating stains will have less chance of peeling as they soak into the wood grain and do not film on top of the wood grain when fully cured.
Penetrating deck stains are easier to maintain by cleaning and reapplying after 2-3 years.
Filming Deck Stains that dry on top of the wood are harder to remove and/or reapply as they are more prone to peeling, wear, flaking, etc.
Not all Deck Stains are penetrating. Even when they claim otherwise.
Semi-transparent, Transparent, and Semi-Solids will show the grain of the wood to some extent. Solid stains, Deck Resurface Coatings, and Paints will not.
Clear sealers without any pigment/color will not prevent UV graying. Lighter Pigmented stains that are Transparent, Semi-Transparent, or Semi-solid will have less UV protection than Darker Pigmented stains in the same transparency. More color/tint = better UV protection.
Deck Stains are either Oil Based or Water Based. Filming or penetrating. Transparent, Semi-Transparent, Semi-Solid, Solid (opaque) Stains or a Deck Resurface Coating. See here for more info on Deck Stain Types.
Oil-based stains can still be used in all States and Canada as long as they are compliant to local VOC regulations.
When switching brands of deck stain it is always best to remove the old coating first. Do this by using a Deck Stain Stripper and/or sanding.
Always apply a Wood Brightener after prepping with a Stain Stripper or Wood Deck Cleaner to neutralize the caustic.
New Decks (less than a year) are treated differently than older decks (more than 1 year). New decks need to be prepped and usually cannot be stained right away. See this about Staining New Decks.
Prep, Prep, Prep = increased longevity of a stain.

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The 6 Best Deck Stain Reviews and Ratings

Update for 2018 Season:

Best Deck Stain Reviews for 2018

Best Deck Stain Reviews

DeckStainHelp.com is a help and review site with the goal of offering advice to homeowners with the difficult task of restoring their exterior wooden decks, docks, and wood homes. We have been using and reviewing wood and deck stains since we started working on restoring exterior wood in the early 1990s. This site was developed to help consumers research and ask questions on what would be the best deck stain, with the goal of longevity and just as important, the ease of reapplication.

Our favorite deck stains have always been the penetrating semi-transparent stains. These stain types allow the wood grain to show and if they truly soak into the wood grain, reapplying is easier down the road. The problem we have noticed in the last 5-10 years is that not all semi-transparent stains are penetrating. Many manufacturers have gone away with the true penetrating stains due to VOC laws and for profitability. Believe it or not, but deck stains in general performed better 10-20 years ago when it came to wearing and peeling than they do in 2018. There have been some major advancements though when it comes to UV protection in the past 5-10 years. Nano-particles of zinc oxides and improvements to trans-oxides have shown excellent UV resistance.

The good news is you can still find some quality deck stains in 2018 that will offer UV protection, penetrate deep into the wood grain, and highlight the natural beauty of the wood.

New for 2018: Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain is the only stain we have tested can be applied to dry or damp wood. Applying to damp wood allows you the ability to prep and stain on the same day, saving you a tremendous amount of time. As deck restoration contractors since 2001, we are excited to be able to use the Restore A Deck Wood Stain as one of our go-to decking stains for the 2018 restoration season.

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Update on Deck Stains for 2018

Deck Stains 2018 – What’s new? What really works? What types are there?

Today we will be reporting what’s new in the deck staining industry for 2018. Out this year is the Restore-A-Deck wood stain. The Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain can be applied to damp wood, allowing for prep and stain to be completed on the same day. Restore-A-Deck Stain uses the latest in water-based wood staining technology to create a formula that allows for better UV protection, excellent penetration into the wood stain for long lasting beautiful results, and the ability to apply to damp wood for single day project completion. The Wood Stain comes in four radiant semi-transparent colors that highlight and enhance the natural wood grain.

Which stains really work? With the help of thousands of people who have completed deck stain projects over the years, we consistently see the same higher quality stains outperforming lower quality stains. Hands-down, semi-transparent wood stains seem to receive raving reviews as far as the quality and durability go. As always, be sure to choose a high-quality semi-transparent wood stain, as low-quality semi-transparent wood stains fail to penetrate the wood grain and make maintenance a pain. Click here to see the top 6 rated deck stains.

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Best Stain for New Pine Deck

Update for 2018: Best Stain for New Pine Deck

Since we first published this article, some new stains have been introduced. We recommend you browse our site with honest reviews for recommendations for the best stain for a new pine deck. We always appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below with pictures of your pine deck stain projects.

Need Help Finding the Best Stain for New Pine Deck?

The best time to stain a deck is after it is built while the wood is still new and has not been compromised by weather damage. However, it is important to allow a new pine deck to dry out for several months before staining it. A new pine deck contains too much moisture at first and you do not want to trap that moisture in the wood by staining it too soon. Wait for the wood to reach 12% moisture level or less. This can be checked with a moisture meter. As mentioned this usually takes a few months of warm weather depending on the sun exposure the deck receives. Do not wait too long though like a year or more because that is when most of the damage occurs to unprotected pine.

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Best Solid Color Deck Stains

Update for 2018: Best Solid Color Deck Stains

Some new solid color stains have been introduced since we originally published this article. We recommend you do your research browse our site with honest reviews for recommendations for the best solid color deck stains. Our top picks for a solid color deck stain is the Flood Brand. If you want a solid color Deck Resurface type stain, then choose the Gulf Synthetics. We always appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below with pictures of your solid deck stain projects.

When staining a deck there are many brands and types of stains to choose from. If you are looking for a certain color or wanting to mask the wood grain completely then a solid color deck stain is the best choice. There are however some things to consider when searching for the best solid color deck stains.

If the deck has been cleaned properly and does not have any existing coatings or finish on it then an oil-based solid color stain is the way to go. These types of solid stains will always perform better than a water-based solid stain. However, you may find that the oil-based solid stains are harder to find due to strict VOC laws so any brand you can find should work.

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Best Deck Stain for Canada

Update 2018 for Best Deck Stain for Canada

DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to resource for all things wood deck restoration related. Since this article was first released, Restore-A-Deck Wood Stains was introduced to the market. It is a high quality durable semi-transparent stain that is ideal for Canadian climates. Our go-to stains for Canada’s climate are:

TWP 200 Series
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain
Armstrong Clark Stains
Defy Extreme Stain

Feel free to leave us a comment below with questions you may have.

Best Deck Stain for Canada’s harsh climate.

Choosing a deck stain these days takes more things into consideration such as the environment. Many deck stain companies are being forced to comply with these tighter regulations or be forced out of business. Areas like Canada have stricter guidelines than other areas for shipping deck stain.

Obviously, Canada also has some pretty harsh weather that can wreak havoc on a deck stain. Long hard winters and large amounts of snowfall can deteriorate an unprotected deck in little time. So finding a VOC compliant deck stain that will hold up to Canadian winters can be a little tricky. To answer the common question “what is the best deck stain for Canada” we will take a look at a couple different brands.

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Penofin Ultra Red Label Wood Stain Review 2014

Update for 2018: Penofin Ultra Red Label Wood Stain Review

Here at DeckStainHelp.com, we are proud of the fact that we have become the Internet’s number one reference for your deck stain opinions and reviews. We thank you for your continued support. Our customers who have used Penofin Ultra Red Label Wood Stain continue to give mixed reviews. The stain is easy to apply, but is prone to UV damage and turning black down the road. If you have used Penofin Ultra Red Label Wood Stain, we would like to hear what you think, so feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have them.

Penofin Red Label

Important Note: This is our 2nd Review of Penofin Ultra Red Label Wood Stain. Our first review was started in 2006 and completed in 2008. We are not aware of any product reformulations.

See Here for First Review: Penofin Ultra Red Label Wood Stain Review

Penofin Ultra Premium Red Label wood stain is perfect where rain, wind, snow, or high elevations are encountered. The formula in Ultra Premium Red Label wood stain is the result of extensive testing, and the use of the highest quality ingredients. Penofin wins the “Battle Of The Stains” penetration tests over all competitors and gives longer life to a wood of any species. Easy to apply and simple to maintain.

Penofin Ultra Red Label Wood Stain Scores (1-10)

Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 10

The cedar color on the cedar wood is one of our favorite tints. It does not add too much “orange” as some of the other decking stains we have tested. In our opinion, Penofin stains give one of the best-finished appearances to wood once dry.

Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 5

The Penofin Red Label had lost about 50% of the tint. This was hard to tell as the majority of the stained had blackened in color. The areas that had not darkened (rails and other verticals) showed the most fading.

Wear/Tear and Peeling: 8

Penofin has always had great penetration abilities. This is one of the best characteristics of their stains. Only wearing that showed was water drainage from the gutters above.

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Deck Stain or Clear Deck Sealer

Update for 2018: Deck Stain or Clear Deck Sealer

Here at DeckStainHelp.com, we are proud of the fact that we are the Internet’s number one reference for your deck stain questions, opinions, and reviews. In this updated article, we outline the differences between deck stains and clear deck sealers. Clear deck sealers continue to be an option for protecting your wood deck from water damage, but unfortunately, do not provide any protection against UV rays and graying/wood darkening. We would like to hear what you think, so feel free to leave a comment below with pictures of your projects if you have them.

Should you use a Deck Stain or Clear Deck Sealer?

To enhance the appearance of a wood deck and protect it from the elements the wood need to be treated with a deck stain or sealer. Both deck stains and deck sealers protect against moisture and water damage but there are some differences between the two.

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Deck Stain Colors

Update 2018 for Deck Stain Colors

DeckStainHelp.com remains the Internet’s go-to site for your questions, answers, and opinions regarding exterior wood surface restorations. In this updated article, we go through the different options for deck stain colors and explain their benefits. We encourage reader interaction on our site, so feel free to leave us a comment below.

Today’s deck stain products cover a wide range of different colors and tints. Depending on the type or brand of deck stain, you can normally find natural tones, cedar tones, walnuts, and redwoods as the most common choices. Some more unique color choices are grays, rustics, and olive tones just to name a few.

The opacity of the deck stain color will also greatly influence the final look. Very thin semi-transparent stains, for example, have less color pigment and will allow the wood to show through more. This type of colored deck stain may appear slightly different from one deck to another and on different types of wood. Darker more solid colors will show little to no wood grain so the actual deck stain color is more pronounced.

The best way to find out how certain deck stain colors are going to look on your deck is to order some wood stain color samples. Ordering a few of your favorite colors to test on your deck will help you to determine the final look making your decision a lot easier.

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