Deck Sealers

What is the Best Deck Sealer in 2023? What is the Best Deck Sealers for my exterior wood is a popular question here on DeckStainHelp.com. Deck Sealers typically come in two different types. A Clear Sealer and a lightly pigmented Transparent Deck Sealer. Both types are penetrating and will fully soak into the wood. In this article about the Best Deck Sealers, we will break down the major difference between the two different types and offer our advice as to what is the best brand for each. Best Clear Deck Sealer Clear deck sealers are not the same as a deck stain. A true deck sealer is clear with no color. They are used to protect the wood by weathering…

A question we hear often at DeckStainHelp.com is, “What’s the difference between using deck stain and regular house paint?” The key to answering this question starts with understanding the difference between stain and paint. Is it Better to Paint or Stain a Deck? If you’re comparing stain to house paint, it’s absolutely better to use stain on your wood deck. House paint is designed specifically for vertical surfaces, such as walls and trim, not horizontal ones like the surfaces of your deck. House paint is much thicker, and when applied to a deck, it will wear and peel. Meanwhile, staining is a more budget-friendly option that is easy to apply and shows off the natural look of the wood. However,…

Deck Stain vs Deck Sealer What is the difference between a Deck Sealer vs a Deck Stain is a very common question here on DeckStainHelp.com. The simple answer is that all deck stains are sealers as well but a deck sealer is not a deck stain. In this article about Deck Stains and Sealers, we will breakdown the main difference between the two different types and give our 25+ years of experience as to what stain brand and type is best for your exterior wood deck.

THOMPSONS WATERSEAL STAIN & SEALER REVIEW 2023 We would love to hear from you if you have used THOMPSONS WATERSEAL STAIN & SEALER. Please post a rating in the Consumer Star Ratings below. Thompson’s WaterSeal has clearly not been a consumer favorite with deck stains or sealers. Mainly as it does not offer any UV protection and it grays in a few months. The Transparent and Semi-Transparent versions are prone to premature peeling and wearing after about 1 year. Thompsons has 4 different labels for the same stain. They change the name based on the store that carries it but it is the exact same product. Lowes: THOMPSON’S® WATERSEAL® SIGNATURE SERIES – STAIN & SEALER Menards: THOMPSON’S® WATERSEAL® TOTAL ALL-IN-ONE STAIN AND SEALER…

Valspar stain is sold at Lowe’s in a variety of colors at a reasonable price. It’s an acrylic, water-based deck stain that’s basically thin paint. Valspar One-Coat Semi-Transparent Stain & Sealer promises to make quick work of your deck project, but both our testing and customer reviews have found that the product fails to deliver on its promises. Even on Valspar’s website, the average consumer ratings are around 2.9 out of 5, and our results produced even worse scores. If you’ve used this Valspar deck stain yourself, please post a comment below to add your review.

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 Deck Stain Manufacturer Description Reveal and protect the true beauty of your wood with Pittsburgh Paints & Stains Paramount advanced stain and sealant…

Important Note:  This is our 3rd Review of Behr Premium Exterior Weatherproofing Wood and Deck Stains. The BEHR PREMIUM Transparent Waterproofing Wood Finish and the BEHR DECKplus Transparent Waterproofing Wood Finish are essentially the same product but at a different price point and at 3 stocked pre-mixed colors. These are re-labeled “Transparent” products of the Behr Premium Semi-Transparent Weather Proofing Wood Stain that we review prior. Same product and same performance, just a different label and in a transparent tone. This review will have the same ratings as our last Behr Deck Premium Stain Review. Behr Stain Opacity Issues Recently: Behr essentially lies about the opacity of its stains. Their “semi-transparent” colors do not show wood grain properly and look…

Deck Finishes, Stains, Sealers, or Both? Here at DeckStainHelp.com we continue to be your go-to source for 2023 on the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics. See below for an article that answers the question, are Deck Finishes, Stains, Sealers, or Both? We appreciate your input. Feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have them.   One of the more popular questions asked on DeckStainHelp.com is what is the difference between a deck sealer and a deck stain and do I need to apply a sealer over a deck stain? Some might think that a deck sealer and a deck stain are basically the same things but in all actuality,…

Best New Deck Stain – Updated May 2023 In 2018, our first full year of using the Restore A Deck stain, we had zero issues with performance and saved a tremendous amount of time with the ability to prep and stain on the same day. Three years later and we will continue to offer the Restore A Deck Wood Stain as one of our go-to decking stains for the 2023 restoration season. With over 20 years’ experience owning and operating our own deck staining business, we have tried pretty much every brand of deck stain out there. We Q&A with thousands of contractors, homeowners, and project managers about their projects, what works, and what does not. Three years ago we…

Gemini Coatings Buys TWP Wood & Deck Preservatives and Stains There has been a big announcement in the deck stain sector as Amteco, owner of TWP stains, has become part of the Gemini Industries’ family. TWP has been a big player for many years and is used by tradesmen and those who expect quality and durability in their work. TWP stands for ‘Total Wood Protection,’ and the brand is respected as a provider of high-quality stains.  Gemini is another well-known name in the wood coatings and protection sector and has been distributing TWP products for over two decades.

Deck Stain Colors – Updated Spring 2023 Choosing a new deck stain color is not an easy decision, and there are a few things to consider before you start staining. We have put together this handy guide on the most popular deck stain colors to help you decide which is best for you. Before we look at the colors, we can talk about a few of the main types of deck stains: transparent, semi-transparent and solid color stains and the pros and cons of each one. Transparent stains provide a clear finish that will show the most amount of your deck’s natural wood grain without altering the color. Minimal to no (clear sealers) UV protection. Solid color stains will cover your…

TWP 200 Series Wood Stain Review for 2023 TWP 200 Series is a semi-transparent oil-based penetrating finish designed to extend the life of exterior wood such as decking, cedar shake siding, and shingles. Containing a paraffin oil, the TWP 200 series penetrates wood extremely well. Paraffin oil is a “non-drying” oil that enhances the wood cell’s structural stability. This greatly improves the wood’s life and appearance. The penetrative portion of the product absorbs into aged and porous wood, adding bulk to aged and brittle wood fiber.  This restores lubricity and flexibility to brittle shingles.  The TWP 200 Series complies with all current Canada, US federal and state VOC (volatile organic compounds) regulations. The TWP 200 Series was designed for shakes and shingles…