Deck Stain Types

There are three main phases to staining a deck. The first phase is selecting the right deck stain type for your particular deck project. The second phase is preparing the deck surface for staining. The final phase is actually applying the deck stain. In this article I will focus on phase one – selecting the right deck stain.

A clear stain will allow the grain colors to show through the stain. Clear stains are also referred to as deck water sealers and only contain wood preservatives and water repellant. Most clear deck sealers typically have no pigment or oils in them. Typically clear stains have to be reapplied every year or two. Some clear deck sealer stains do however have some oil in them that penetrates the wood and helps to protect the wood longer.

An opaque stain or semi-transparent stain provides some color tinting and will allow the wood grain to show through the stain. These types of deck stains permeate the deck wood and thus have a tendency to last longer and do not peel away from the deck surface. Instead they just fade in color. Once the fading is significant you can reapply another coat.

Selecting a Deck Stain Type on a Previously Stained or Painted Deck

If your deck has previously been painted, water sealed or stained with a semi-transparent or solid stain then you should use the same type of deck sealer again on the deck, unless you first want to sand the deck down to bare wood.