This post was updated on May 1, 2024
Deck Stain Types
Deck Stains in 2024
What Deck Stains are new?
What Deck Stains really work?
What are the different Deck Stain types?
Today we will be reporting what’s new in the deck staining industry for 2024. Out three years ago is the Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent wood stain and two years ago was the Restore-A-Deck Solid Color Wood Stains. The Restore-A-Deck Wood Stains 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 7 rated deck stains.
Here is a rundown of the different deck stain types that exist. We encourage you to do your own research to determine which type of deck stain will work the best for your project.
Deck Stains Types for 2024
Water-based deck stains
Environmentally friendly and abide by newer, stricter VOC regulations. They are easier to clean up. However, they tend to be a little more difficult to apply. The top water-based deck stains are Restore A Deck Stain and the Defy Extreme. Both offer superior penetration over other water-based stains.
Oil-based deck stains
Provide excellent penetration into the wood and are more natural-looking. They may come at a cost in that they can promote mildew growth in some areas as they take longer to dry. The best oil-based stains will offer mildewcides to prevent or stop the growth of mildew and mold. Examples: TWP Stains and Armstrong Clark Stains
Deck Resurface coats
Similar to a thick paint. They can provide excellent UV protection and fill cracks if it actually works. If selecting a Deck Resurface Stain, keep in mind that most users have had a bad experience with products from Home Depot and Lowes. While the majority of comments and user experiences reported are negative, the Gulf Synthetics Deck Revive has been favorable.
Solid Decking Stains (opaque)
Cover the wood grain completely, providing excellent UV protection. At the same time, they film on the wood, do not penetrate well, and require sanding and scraping to remove.
When using a solid stain. See this article: Best Solid Color Deck Stains
Semi-Solid Stains
Show a small amount of wood grain and provide very good UV protection. Oil-based semi-solid versions provide superior penetration. The best semi-solids stains are made by Armstrong Clark which is a deep penetrating oil-based stain.
Our Top Picks are 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. See Top 6 rated deck stains
Transparent Wood Sealers
Stains are very easy to apply & reapply and are natural-looking. They provide lower than average UV protection
Clear Wood Deck Finishes
They do not change the appearance of your deck and are easy to apply. However, they gray and oxidize in months. These are great if you want to seal and protect the wood but want the wood to gray naturally. The Defy Extreme Clear and the TWP 1500 Series in Clear work well for this.
Non-Drying Oil vs. Drying Oil-Based Stains
Drying oils are curing oils that seal the wood. Non-drying oils never dry and penetrate the surface of the wood to help condition the wood.
We want to hear your input. What works for you? Do you have any deck stain news? Comment below.
The Different Types of Deck Stains Video – DeckStainHelp.com
I have a large irregular shaped older but in good shape cedar wood deck that is elevated at a second floor height. I have composite hand rail system around the deck and numerous steps with the composite hand railing whose lower rung sits directly on the steps making application of stain tricky. The outside of the deck is wrapped in painted wood also making staining difficulty around the railing (no room for error.) I used Cabot cleaner and brightener to clean and prep the deck. I was going to apply Cabot Australian Timber Oil until I read all the negative reviews on it. Since I live in Indiana, I considered TWP 1500, but am concerned about being able to do the wet on wet application due to the large and irregular shaped deck and the numerous cut outs I needed to do with the steps and the area ordering the house. That plus my inexperience in applying the stain. What are your recommendation for a product to use. I thought the Clark Armstrong would be a good choice if available in IN. I do appreciate your thoughts. Consumer report had recommended Behr Premium but it looks like that has not held up well in your experience.
I am unfortunately slow and meticulous. The deck has always been professionally stained in the past and I was doing this to help my son earn money, but fear I may have bitten off ore than I can chew. i appreciate your recommendation.
The TWP 1500 would be a great choice. Applying wet on wet is very easy.
30 yo pt Deck with Behr solid acrylic redwood deck stain. Spindles and rails some peeling, floor to me needs sanding to bare. Hasn’t been redone in several years. I’d like to use a semi-transparent on the floor, and thinking touch up sand and go back with the Behr on the 150+ spindles and railing. Was thinking either Restore a Deck or AC on the floor. Does that make sense? Upstate NY winters. Do I sand first or clean then sand- clean- brighten? Ordered RAD for prep.
You cannot strip this so you will have to sand it off the floor. Final prep with the RAD after the sanding. Use the AC or RAD for the floors. Use the RAD Solid for the rails.
Thank you. Can I use RAD solid on the rails even if I can’t take those down to bare? The RAD cypress matches as I had them send me a sample.
Yes, you can.
Great, thank you. I will go that route.
My house has tongue in groove clear cedar siding which has been treated in the past with TWP products. This caused a change from the lovely golden color to a dark brownish color. The contractor said there was no alternate to the color change. The TWP product did give long time protection. I need to retreat the wood as its now very dry. What product would you suggest? Can I lighten the current dark color in the process?
Just strip and brighten for prep and stain with the TWP Honeytone color.
I live in Clarkston Michigan. My cedar deck is 4 years old and it has been stained twice with a oil based semi transparent Flood’s stain, last done May 2018. The deck is on the North side of the house. Did not even hold up through one season. My home is a cedar log home with similar stain on it and that is wearing fine so was trying to get the deck to match the house. Staining a deck every year is not my cup of tea but if I have to, it is what it is and I would like to know what product to use. I have also considered power washing all the stain off or let it finnish wearing off and let it age and be grey, I do have grey stone
fireplace on deck wall so might not look that bad.
Strip it all off and then brighten the wood. Stain with TWP 100 Series.
Stripping and staining.
Older wood with new wood railing
Faded stain on deck greyed wood never stained on rails.
Switching to new stain and color.
Believe the current is Olympic maximum semi trans oil.
No mold.
Previous is 4-5 years old and faded.
I have a lot of galvanizedu wire and panels for railing and want to make sure the strippers or prep wont harm those materials.
You will need to strip and brighten wood for the prep. It should not harm the wire.
I have 1600 sq ft wrap around porch that is 15 years old. The wood spindles and rails don’t look like they have ever had anything on them. The wood floor seems to have a semi transparent stain (what’s left of it). I have cleaned it with a bleach and water combo. I was thinking of putting a semi solid stain on the floor. Can I use the same stain on the spindles and rails? HELP! I’m in way over my head. What do you recommend?
All of the current stain will need to come off. Strip and brighten for prep. Use a semi-solid for all is good. Try Armstrong Clark in a semi-solid color.
Is there a semi solid stain that is white?
For the.spindles.
Not in AC. To get a solid stain in a white means you have to custom mix it and that will be an acrylic water-based stain. It will be prone to peeling.
Would like to know your collective opinion of the Penofin products. Specifically the Ultra Premium (Redwood). I realize that you do NOT always “get what you pay for”, but I see that this particular product is $47 per gallon in my local hardware store. Thank you.
Note: …my 6 questions on deck info posted a few days ago.
Penofin has major issues with tuning dark or black in color: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/?s=penofin
My deck is old and we have had to do some repairs. As such, it will be necessary to use a solid stain. What company or companies do yu recommend for solid stain. I could not find any on this page
Flood Pro Series Solid Stain.
Hi, what are your thoughts on Cutek CD50 oil for a new mahogony deck?
Thanks!
No opinion as we have never used it on hardwoods only regular softwoods like cedar and PTP. Mediocre results.
Hello…we live on the (rain) coast in the Pacific Northwest.
We will be staining a cedar fence with pressure treated 4 x 4 posts.
When it comes to selecting a stain would you recommend using an oil based product over a water based one…or does it matter.
Most informative web site !
Thank you very much for your insight.
Try TWP 100 Series or Restore A Deck Wood Stains.
We purchased a poplar 10 ft table with benches that had been stained? after one year it was a mess, pretty much gone. the seller came back took the set and sanded and applied an oil base stain that look good most of the summer. now not so good – we want to stain it ourselves with the right product that will preserve the wood. help!!
Picture please.
Hi,
Just put a HUGE deck off our back porch and around our pool. The wood is drying now before we stain. We are clueless since this is our first deck ever. I would like:
1. A tint but still have the deck grain show through.
2. Sealed so it’s protected from the elements
3. Non slippery (if that’s even possible)
The contractor who built our deck said SW has a product that is a stain and seal combo? However, when I look at their site I don’t see something like that.
We want top notch protection with a hint of color. Is there a product that does both? How long does the product last before we re apply? We live in Florida so it’s humid and sunny. Any advice is appreciated.
See this about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
After the wait and prep, you want a penetrating semi-transparent stain: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Thanks for your guidance!!!
I need to purchase stain that’s solid and is long lasting for an outside deck. I’ve looked into Behr, Benjamin more’s ARBORCOAT, sherwin-williams, Cabot, TWP, Olympic, etc and I am confused!
My deck is about 9 years old, I need to use Solid stain and we prepped it by fully sanding the entire deck to 60 Grid.
It would be great to pick stain brand that is easy to get a sample of like Cabot at Lowes or Arborcoat at Benjamin More. I do care more about the long lasting one.
If you want a solid color deck stain, use the Flood Pro Series.
SOLID REDWOOD DECK 2 YEARS OLD. WE APPLIED CLEAR TRANSPARENT .IT WASHED OUT FAST . WE ARE LOOKING AT A SOLID .WHAT DO YOU THINK?
We are not fans of solid stains as they can peel but if you want to use one, try the Flood Solid Stains.
I have a redwood deck (20+) yeas old. In the past I have used Penofin to stain the deck and it is in excellent condition. The contractor I hired to power wash and stain the deck is suggesting a product called Ready Seal. Any significant difference between the two?
RS is better than the Penofin but not as good as other brands.
I have been stripping my deck that was stained by the previous owner. The stain is several years old but I do not have a definite age. The railings appear to have a solid stain on them as it has been difficult to remove. The decking has stripped and cleaned up nice. I have removed about 80% of the stain on the railings but have some stubborn areas and areas where the balusters are sandwiched between 1×2’s and I cannot get the stain out of these areas. I plan to use TWP oil based stain on the decking but don’t think I can use it on the rails since I cannot get all of the old stain off. I assume I can use Flood Solid deck stain on the rails but am curious if I could use the Armstrong Clark semi solid over areas where I could not get all of the stain off. Appreciate any thoughts on how to best proceed.
No, you cannot use the AC over the solid stain. Best to use another solid stain for the verticals and the TWP for the floors.
On the site I’ve seen solid stain recommendations by Deck Stain Help for Flood. Is this the Flood Pro Series Flood 100% Acrylic Solid Color stain? I couldn’t find a review on the site for this product. Can you point me in the right direction?
Yes, that is correct. We do not review individual brands of solid stains but we do have an overall review article: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-solid-color-deck-stains/
We’re about to buy a house in Florida in a yard that has a fair number of trees. Part of the existing fencing can remain, some needs replacing. I know both old and new will need cleaning and brightening (old hasn’t been stained before), but given it’s a fairly damp area, I don’t know if I could then use an oil based stain (my preference) or would be better off using a water based stain . If I could go with oil based, which is best as far as minimizing growth of mold?
You can use either. If you use an oil-based stain, use the TWP 100 Series.