Best Overall
Benjamin Moore ARBORCOAT Exterior Stain
- There's a wide selection of opacities and colors, so you'll be able to find the exact look you want for your deck.
There's a wide selection of opacities and colors, so you'll be able to find the exact look you want for your deck.
- The manufacturer recommends 14 days for the stain to fully cure, meaning the stain has seeped into the wood to dry and fully achieve its color.
The manufacturer recommends 14 days for the stain to fully cure, meaning the stain has seeped into the wood to dry and fully achieve its color.
The best deck stain for most homeowners is Arborcoat by Benjamin Moore, which is easy to apply and provides excellent protection against the elements. The brand is known for its high-quality paint, so it's not too surprising that you'd rely on its products for your wood staining needs, too.
Unlike other stains that have a limited range of colors and finishes, Arborcoat comes in thousands of colors in translucent, semi-transparent, semi-solid, and solid finishes. This water-based stain gives your deck's exterior an outstanding defense against UV rays, so whatever color stain you choose will keep its rich looks season after season.
The stain keeps mildew at bay when moisture starts to seep into the wood and will also help your wood deck stand up to peeling, scuffing, and staining, making it a great choice for high-traffic backyards. It's worth noting that it takes up to 14 days for the stain to fully cure and show its true color.
If you do need a touch-up, it's easy to do with this stain without your deck's finish looking uneven or streaky, so be sure to keep any excess on hand for when you need it.
It's also simple to re-treat your deck when you use Arborcoat as your base because it covers older, previously stained wood to create a smooth finish. You'll likely come back to Arborcoat through the years to keep your deck looking great.
Product Details: Base: Water | Coverage: 300 to 400 square foot per gallon | Dry Time: One hour to touch
Best Budget
Preserva Wood Oil-Based Clear Exterior Stain and Sealer
- It's made from a natural blend of oils.
It's made from a natural blend of oils.
- You'll need to wipe away excess stain with a cloth to create an even finish.
You'll need to wipe away excess stain with a cloth to create an even finish.
When you're looking for superior protection for your wood deck that won't break the bank, this Preserva Wood stain and sealer is a great choice whether you are building a new deck or updating an existing one.
If your deck is made from porous wood like cedar, fir, or redwood, this organic oil-based stain will settle deep into the grain to protect it. You'll be able to enjoy the look of that natural grain with this clear stain for many years, thanks to its solid shield against damage from moisture and UV rays.
It's not just for decks, either; get an extra gallon or two to finish and protect fences and unpainted wood siding as well. This stain goes a long way—a gallon can cover 400 square feet of smooth boards or 200 square feet of rough fencing slats.
As you apply the stain, you'll want to wipe off an excess with a cloth to create a smooth finish. The blend of natural oils in this product results in a durable exterior that offers rich color and a superior defense against moisture.
Product Details: Base: Organic oil | Coverage: 100-500 square feet, depending on smoothness of wood | Dry Time: 12 hours to touch
Best Eco-Friendly
Vermont Natural Coatings Exterior Penetrating Wood Stain
- This non-toxic stain cures within 48 hours and has a neutral odor.
This non-toxic stain cures within 48 hours and has a neutral odor.
- Avoid using this product on IPE, mahogany, or other exotic decking.
Avoid using this product on IPE, mahogany, or other exotic decking.
If you're looking to make more sustainable choices for your outdoor area, the Vermont Natural Coatings PolyWhey Exterior Penetrating Wood Stain is the best environmentally-friendly deck stain. We love that this stain is eco-friendly and available in 14 different tints.
If you are sensitive to strong-smelling chemicals or simply want a non-toxic option, this stain is the ideal choice. Made in the USA from renewable resources, this biodegradable product contains low VOC levels and a neutral smell, so it won’t irritate your senses as much as traditional stains. It also provides a waterproof barrier and is mold and mildew resistant.
You also don’t have to wait a long time for the stain to dry—it can be walked on in 2-3 hours after the second coat, and it is fully cured within 48 hours of application. For best results, apply when temperature is between 50°F and 80°F and the air humidity is between 40% and 60%.
One gallon of stain covers up to 300 square feet, but if you need more or less you can purchase a quart or 5-gallon pail. You can use the whey-protein based stain on decks, gardening beds, fences, and more. While you can use this stain for a variety of woods, avoid using it on IPE, mahogany, or other exotic decking.
Product Details: Base: Whey protein | Coverage: 300 square feet | Dry Time: 2-3 hours for foot traffic, 48 hours to fully cure
Best Solid
Behr Solid Color Waterproofing Wood Stain and Sealer
- If you have an older wood deck, Behr's solid stain can hide imperfections and make it look like new. It's also good for composite decks.
If you have an older wood deck, Behr's solid stain can hide imperfections and make it look like new. It's also good for composite decks.
- Although it's an all-in-one stain and sealer, the manufacturer recommends two coats for optimal weatherproofing capability.
Although it's an all-in-one stain and sealer, the manufacturer recommends two coats for optimal weatherproofing capability.
This all-in-one solid stain and sealer from Behr can transform the look of both new and older wood decks while also providing advanced weatherproof protection. UV rays, rain, and snow are no match against the 100%-acrylic formula. In fact, two coats of this solid stain can protect your deck for up to 10 years—and up to 25 years if you use it on fences and siding.
No primer is needed when you choose from one of the hundreds of colors of Behr's solid stain. It covers imperfections beautifully, making it a great choice for reviving the look of older decks. It's even perfect for sprucing up composite decks.
It's simple to apply, and because it's made from an acrylic base rather than oil, all you need is soap and water to clean up. You can even apply it in lower temperatures—the temp just needs to stay about 35°F for 12 hours after application.
The stain dries to the touch in two hours and is ready to resist rain in four hours. Behr recommends applying two coats for the best protection from the elements.
Product Details: Base: Acrylic | Coverage: 400 square feet per gallon (two coats recommended) | Dry Time: Two hours to the touch
Best Semi-Transparent
Valspar One-Coat Semi-Transparent Stain and Sealer
- One coat provides a protective shield that still allows you to enjoy the natural wood grain of your deck.
One coat provides a protective shield that still allows you to enjoy the natural wood grain of your deck.
- Semi-transparent is just that—it will only add subtle color to your deck.
Semi-transparent is just that—it will only add subtle color to your deck.
A single coat of Valspar Semi-Transparent Exterior Stain and Sealer is all it takes to build up your wood deck's defense against the elements. This semi-transparent stain lets the beauty of the natural wood stand out while also protecting it from harmful UV rays.
It provides lasting color that won't fade in the sun, and it protects the wood from cracking and peeling in the cold weather. In fact, you can apply this product when the temperature gets as low as 50 degrees.
This two-in-one stain and sealer creates a finish that keeps mold and mildew at bay, making this all-in-one choice perfect for siding, furniture, and fences, too. The manufacturer offers a four-year guarantee on this product for decks and six years for fences and siding.
It's easy to apply and cleanup is even easier—all you need is soap and water. Although it says it's "rain ready" in just four hours, allow it to dry longer for optimal results.
Product Details: Base: Water | Coverage: 400 square feet per gallon | Dry Time: Dry to the touch in four hours; ready for furniture and foot traffic in 24 hours
Best Clear
Cabot Clear Wood Protector
- This clear stain enhances the beauty of the natural wood while also providing a sturdy defense against the elements.
This clear stain enhances the beauty of the natural wood while also providing a sturdy defense against the elements.
- The stain is truly clear, so it's not a good choice if you're trying to cover up any imperfections in the wood planks.
The stain is truly clear, so it's not a good choice if you're trying to cover up any imperfections in the wood planks.
Cabot Clear Wood Protector won't change the look of your wood deck at all, keeping the wood natural. What it will do is penetrate deep into those planks to build a superior waterproof defense.
Mold, mildew, and algae don't stand a chance with Cabot. While other wax-based clear stains simply coat the outside of a wood plank, this clear exterior wood stain is water based, so the wood absorbs it easily for better protection.
This clear stain from Cabot is a good option for DIYers looking to finish a deck for the first time. Cleanup is easy with a little soap and water. This is also a good way to protect other hard porous surfaces in your yard, such as brick, concrete, and stone.
Product Details: Base: Water | Coverage: 250 square feet per gallon | Dry Time: Dry to the touch in one hour, but wait 24 hours to walk across the surface.
Best Oil-Based
Ready Seal Stain and Sealer for Wood
- You can apply this stain to your deck no matter what type of wood it's made from.
You can apply this stain to your deck no matter what type of wood it's made from.
- The manufacturer says the wood can't have more than 12% moisture content, so make sure your deck is good and dry before applying.
The manufacturer says the wood can't have more than 12% moisture content, so make sure your deck is good and dry before applying.
This two-in-one sealer and stain seeps into the wood fibers of your deck or other exterior wood surfaces to prevent cracking, peeling, and chipping over time. The product is easy to apply because it absorbs quickly into the wood so you don't have to worry about streaky coverage.
Its oil base is free from linseed or vegetable oils, which are known algae and fungus starters in wood. The drying time is quick—it's ready for rain in just minutes—and the result is an attractive flat finish.
Don't be concerned about the temperature rising or falling when you're staining your deck; you can apply the stain from 0 to 100°F. No need to worry about what type of wood you have either—Ready Seal is appropriate to use on all soft and hard woods.
Just make sure the wood has completely dried after washing or a rainstorm since the stain shouldn't be used on wood that has more than a 12% moisture content. When it's time to apply a fresh coat, there's no sanding or stripping needed, making deck maintenance a breeze.
Product Details: Base: Oil | Coverage: 185 square feet per gallon | Dry Time: One hour to the touch
Best Water-Based
DEFY Exterior Wood Stain
- The water-based formula makes it environmentally friendly.
The water-based formula makes it environmentally friendly.
- You can't apply this stain over existing stain; you'll have to strip any existing stain first. The wood really soaks this stain up, so coverage is not as extensive as you will get with other stains, particularly oil-based products.
You can't apply this stain over existing stain; you'll have to strip any existing stain first. The wood really soaks this stain up, so coverage is not as extensive as you will get with other stains, particularly oil-based products.
If you're looking for an environmentally friendly product with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the Defy Extreme Semi-Transparent Exterior Wood Stain fits the bill. This water-based stain is 100 VOC compliant, and it settles into the wood to create a protective shield, making it a great option for fences, siding, furniture, and other outdoor surfaces aside from your deck.
Two coats of Defy create a beautiful matte finish that puts the natural wood grain on display—just prep the wood by cleaning it before you apply. If your deck has an existing layer of stain, you'll have to strip it before applying a layer of Defy.
This water-based stain is made with zinc, which protects your deck from sun and UV ray damage. You'll keep the color of your deck longer (no premature fading), and you can go for at least one or two additional seasons without adding another coat of this stain.
When it's time to apply that maintenance coat, the manufacturer recommends using Defy Wood Brightener first to improve the wood's absorption of the stain and restore the deck's surface.
Product Details: Base: Water | Coverage: 200-300 square feet per gallon | Dry Time: Two to four hours to the touch; wait 24 hours before using the deck
Best for Cold Weather
Olympic Maximum Solid Color Stain and Sealant in One
- No more worrying about drying out wood before staining or rain in the forecast; you can apply this stain even if the wood is damp.
No more worrying about drying out wood before staining or rain in the forecast; you can apply this stain even if the wood is damp.
- If you're staining over a previously stained deck, test an area first to see if the stain soaks in and dries. If not, you'll have to strip it first.
If you're staining over a previously stained deck, test an area first to see if the stain soaks in and dries. If not, you'll have to strip it first.
Staining a deck isn't the most difficult of home projects, but timing it with the weather forecast can be a real chore. That issue is solved when you choose Olympic Maximum for your next exterior wood finishing project, be it your deck, siding, fence, or furniture.
Its weather-ready formulation can be applied when the temperature drops to 35 degrees and when it goes as high as 120°F. This semi-transparent stain can be used on all types of wood, whether old or new, treated or untreated. Just apply one layer and your deck or other wood surfaces are rain-ready in only eight hours.
This two-in-one stain and sealant has plenty of UV protection and stands up to heavy foot traffic. It also offers waterproofing, forming a seal that resists mold, mildew, and water damage.
Plus, cleanup is easy—simply use soap and water. You'll feel confident with the long-lasting results, especially with Olympic's 10-year warranty for decks and 25-year warranty for fences and siding.
Product Details: Base: Various, depending on opacity | Coverage: 500 square feet | Dry Time: One hour to the touch; rain ready in 8 hours