
Although new brands regularly appear, there are a few of the most popular companies that produce excellent stain for different types of wood and uses:
- Thompsons
- 1 Deck
- Ready Seal
- Cabot
- Seal-Once
- Defy
- Best Overall: Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Exterior Stain.
- Best Budget: Preserva Wood Oil-Based Clear Penetrating Exterior Stain and Sealer.
- Best Solid: Behr Solid Color Waterproofing Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer.
What is the highest rated deck stain?
Best Oil-Based Deck Stain. Using the purest linseed and tung oils available, the Cabot Australian Timber Oil Stain gives superior penetration into wood surfaces. This stain features a durable alkyd resin formula that produces lasting durability on heavy-traffic areas, while remaining flexible so it doesn’t flake or peel over time.
What is the best exterior deck stain?
- BEST OVERALL: Valspar Tintable Solid Exterior Stain and Sealer
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Behr Premium Solid Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer
- UPGRADE PICK: Cabot Tintable Solid Exterior Stain and Sealer
- BEST LOW VOC: SaverSystems Advanced Solid Color Deck Stain
- BEST WATERPROOFING: Thompson’s WaterSeal Solid Waterproofing Stain
What is the best stain for wooden decks?
The Top 7 Deck Stain Ratings
- Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain
- Defy Extreme Stain
- Defy Hardwood/Cedar Stain
What is the best deck stain for older decks?
- Water-based stains are the way to go, ditch the oils – easier to clean up, more green-friendly
- Synthetic resins, not natural resins – no mold, and no toxic chemicals
- Semi-transparent deck stains rather than clear or solid color deck stains – easier to maintain

Which deck stain lasts the longest?
In general, an oil-based deck stain will last the longest, but it also depends on the type of wood, the weather conditions, and how long the deck has gone unprotected before staining.
Is Cabot or Behr deck stain better?
Additionally, we were pleased to see that Cabot Solid Acrylic Siding stain scored very well in their 2014 ratings." And after two years the Behr still looked really good, but the Cabot had started to break down. In fact, the Behr Premium Semi-Transparent Weather Proofing Wood Stain earned top ratings.
Is Behr or Olympic stain better?
According to Consumer Reports, Olympic Maximum Solid Stain & Sealant in One is rated in their top solid wood stains category, coming in slightly behind Behr.
What is the best deck stain for pressure treated wood?
10 Best Stains for Pressure Treated WoodThompsons Waterseal (Solid) ... SEAL-ONCE Nano+Poly Ready Mix Penetrating Wood Sealer & Stain. ... 3. # ... Ready Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Stain and Sealer. ... Star Brite Premium Golden Teak Oil. ... Luminos Cold – Outdoor Wood Finish Stain Protector IR Reflective. ... TWP Cedartone VOC Stain.More items...•
What is the best deck stain that won't peel?
A: Many experts agree that the best finish for pressure-treated wood is a semi-transparent stain. This stain penetrates the wood and won't peel, unlike some solid-colour stains, which sit on the surface like paint and can peel and flake under some conditions.
Which is better oil based or water based deck stain?
Water-based stains require a little more time and effort than oils, but it pays off with significantly greater durability. Oil based stains are easy to apply and take less effort, but they will not last nearly as long as a water based stain.
What is the best outdoor stain?
Best Exterior Wood Stains in July, 2022Wood stain1Ready Seal Editor's ChoiceCheck Price2Defy ExtremeCheck Price3#1 Deck PremiumCheck Price4Thompson's WaterSeal StainCheck Price2 more rows•Oct 24, 2021
Why does my deck stain peel every year?
Deck stains will generally peel for two basic reasons: over application and poor adhesion. This is simple — too much stain on the surface of the wood. With deck stains, specifically with semi-transparent finishes, more is not better. You only want to apply as much product as the wood can easily absorb.
What is the best stain color for a deck?
Top 5 Wood Stain Colors For Wooden DecksBrowns. Browns bring a sense of warmth to wooden decks and are perfect for fitting in with natural surroundings. ... Blues. Blue is part of a swath of coastal colors that are topping designing trends this year. ... Grays. ... Naturals. ... Reds.
What is the best product to put on a wood deck?
Thompsons Waterseal Advanced Natural Wood Protector As one of the best water seal products available, Thompsons will go a long way to preserving your deck from mildew and water damage. It will also help with UV damage and color fading over the long term.
How many coats of stain should you put on a deck?
two coatsWe always recommend two coats of stain for any wood project, but you should only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb. Extremely dense hardwoods may only be able to absorb one coat of wood stain. The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much as the wood can absorb.
How do I choose a deck stain?
The best way to pick a stain color is to test the stain on the wood. If you don't have a spare piece of wood then try out the different colors on a hidden spot on your deck. Don't immediately rule out a color before you try it. You also need to wait until the stain completely dries before you make a decision.
Which stain is better Sherwin-Williams or Behr?
Consumer Reports just tested 76 products under tough conditions that accelerate the effects of the elements, from spring showers to summer sun to the sleet and snow that can torment siding and decks in colder months. Sherwin-Williams won big among paints, while Behr took home top honors among stains.
Is Valspar and Cabot the same?
MINNEAPOLIS - The Valspar Corp., Minneapolis, a leading coatings manufacturer, has completed the acquisition of Samuel Cabot Inc., a privately owned manufacturer of exterior and interior stains and finishes.
Are Cabot and Valspar the same company?
About Valspar and The Sherwin-Williams Company The company manufactures products under well-known brands such as Sherwin-Williams®, Valspar®, HGTV HOME® by Sherwin-Williams, Purdy®, Krylon®, Minwax®, Thompson's® Water Seal®, Cabot® and many more.
What is the best sealer for a wood deck?
Best Deck SealersThompsons Waterseal Advanced Natural Wood Protector.ECO-SAFE Wood Treatment – Stain & Preservation by Tall Earth.Rust-Oleum Coppercoat Wood Preservative.CabotStain Australian Timber Oil Penetrating Oil.Thompsons Waterseal – Transparent Stain.
What is the best stain for a deck?
Deck stain is available in four opacities: Toner: This stain is closest to a clear sealer. It contains just a hint of color and imparts only a slight hue to the wood that won’t change the deck’s overall look. Toner requires reapplication every year for the best protection.
What to consider when choosing a deck stain?
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Deck Stain. Choosing a deck stain is about more than just picking a color and brushing the product on the decking; the process requires considering the type and age of the deck wood and whether you’ve previously stained or painted it.
What is a Kilz stain?
KILZ Exterior Waterproofing Wood Stain imparts a semi-transparent layer of color and protection to new and older wood decks that still allows the wood grain to show. Best of all, it’s available at an affordable price point in several popular hues.
How long does it take to apply ready seal to a deck?
Ready Seal is well suited for applying to new treated-wood decks, but users should wait 6 months after the deck’s construction to allow treatment chemicals to evaporate. One gallon covers up to 175 square feet, and the product comes in a 5-gallon can.
What is Cabot Australian Timber Oil?
Defend the deck from UV rays, water, and mildew while bringing out the natural beauty of its wood grain with Cabot Australian Timber Oil. This semi-transparent, oil-based stain is available in multiple colors to complement a variety of wood decks. The stain formulation contains linseed and tung oil that ensures uniform penetration and increases the wood’s ability to resist moisture damage; rain beads up and runs off rather than soaking into the wood.
How long does it take for a gallon of stain to dry?
For best results, apply only to clean, dry decking when the outdoor temperature is over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on humidity, dry time is approximately 24 hours. The stain comes in several size options, with 1 gallon covering about 200 to 400 square feet, depending on the thickness of the application.
What kind of wood is used for decking?
Exterior deck construction utilizes four main types of wood: Redwood: Perhaps the top wood species for high-end decks, redwood naturally resists insects, moisture damage, and decay, but it comes at a high cost. Considered a softwood, redwood contains natural oils and tannins that give it a warm reddish hue.
