This post was updated on January 18, 2023
Staining Your Deck Yearly
If you are staining your deck every year then you are using the wrong stain brand and type of stain. The best deck stain for staining every 2-3 years for a deck is a semi-transparent or a semi-solid penetrating deck stain. Penetrating deck stains soak into the wood grain so they are not prone to lifting or peeling. What is even better is that they can be cleaned and recoated as needed! No need to strip and or sand to reapply.
If you want to switch to a penetrating semi-transparent or semi-solid deck stain, then you will need to remove your current deck stain first. For tips on how to prep your deck, see this article: Best Deck Prep? Strip, Sand, or Clean.
More Info on Why You Are Staining Your Deck Every Year
- 7 Best Deck Stain Reviews and Ratings
- Find The Best Deck Stains
- The Best Semi-Transparent Stains
- The Best Semi-Solid Stains
Have a Deck Stain question? Ask in the comments below.
For more info, see our Deck Stain Facts section with over 150 simple Q&A articles that answer all the questions that you have regarding deck staining, cleaning, and prep.
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.
