Best Deck Sealers and Deck Stains

With time, the effects of weather, mildew, rot and other factors can completely ruin a wooden deck. However, thanks to deck stains, also known as deck sealers, you can protect your deck and maintain its appearance for years. Because the effectiveness of sealers vary from one product to the next, it is essential to get a quality sealer for your wooden deck.

Below are our choices for the top stains and sealers for your deck. We have made a pick of the most suitable product for different applications, wood types, prices and weather conditions.

Our Top Pick: Ready Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer

This is an oil-based stain with a semi-transparent finish. Ready Seal is suitable for use on all types of wood but is specially formulated to bring out the beauty of cedar. It goes deep into the wood for protection from mold, fungus, rain, snow, mildew and UV rays.

What’s more, you do not need to use a primer with this sealer – it is designed to work perfectly with all kinds of wood as it is. According to a Deck Stain Help review, Ready Seal dries evenly without running or dripping. You may apply Ready Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer in different ways, including using a roller, sprayer or brush.

While some deck stains can be highly sensitive to temperature changes during the application, the Ready Seal has no such issues, and can be applied in nearly all weather conditions.

Pros

• Does not need back-brushing
• Does not lap, streak, or run
• No wet-line application is necessary
• Tolerates a wide range of temperatures
• Easy to apply

Cons

• Unsuitable for interior use

Most Affordable Deck Sealer: Thompsons WaterSeal Advanced Natural Wood Protector

The Thompsons WaterSeal Advanced Natural Wood Protector is an excellent choice if you need to reseal your deck and keep rot at bay affordably. If you are in a pinch, you may even apply the product on slightly damp wood and still receive a great-looking finish and protection that will last for years. The formula is also suitable for use on wooden outdoor furniture and other garden fixtures.

According to The Spruce’s David Beaulieu, this is the product for you if you want to seal even the most robust exterior deck surfaces fast and efficiently. You only require a single application on a clean, dry wooden surface. This water-based sealer dries in just under one hour and is fully cured in only 24 hours.

Pros

• Low cost compared to most other options
• Long-lasting
• Can be used on damp surfaces
• Advanced waterproofing protection
• Multipurpose application for decks, fencing and furniture
• Resistant to mildew and mold

Cons

• Not suitable for interior use

Best Temperature Resistance: Cabot Australian Timber Oil Stain

If you live in Arizona, Texas or other regions in the United States that continually experiences hot and dry weather, then you should consider applying Cabot Australian Timber Oil Stain to protect your deck. This is because Cabot initially designed their product to withstand the harsh temperatures found in the Australian outback.

Cabot Australian Timber Oil Stain is made of a high-quality blend of long-oil alkyds and linseed oil. According to a study in the IOP Conference Series on Materials Science and Engineering, these oils give it enhanced durability, as well as South American tung oil, to add depth to the color of the wood. The result is a hardwood stain and water-resistant formulation, which is not only suitable for your deck, but fences and outdoor furniture as well.

This Cabot stain also has translucent iron oxide pigment that gives your deck a UV-resistant surface.

Pros

• Gives your deck a deep, rich color.
• The best protection for decks built of exotic wood.
• It also acts as a sealer.
• Can be used for indoor applications.

Cons

• Expensive

Best Sealer for Restoration Jobs: Bonds One-Time Natural Wood Finish Preservative

Bonds One-Time Natural Wood Finish is an excellent choice for your deck if you need to carry out major restoration and need the best protective finish. It is a product that features specialized formulations to restore your weathered deck if you are a season or two behind on your regular maintenance schedule.

After you apply this product, you will have a deck that looks as good as it did on the day that you installed it. What’s more, the no-drip formulation of Bonds One-Time will not overlap, flake, chip or crack and should last for about 2 years before you have to treat your deck again.

Pros

• Available in a gallon size
• Great for use with nearly any type of wood.
• A great choice for DIY homeowners and professional restorers.
• Does not overlap or crack.

Cons

• Unsuitable for interior use.

Best for Coastal Homes: Seal-Once Marine Deck Sealer

If you live anywhere along the United States coastline or need to protect wood around a harbor, then you require a marine stain and sealer for your deck. This is because marine sealers are made of a more durable formulation that can withstand the salt air and humidity, in addition to the hot temperatures around areas like Florida or the Gulf of Mexico.

Seal-Once is made of proprietary nano-particle technology, which lets the wood breathe while it prevents water from getting past the sealant. As a result, the wood can expand without splitting or cracking.

Pros

• A great choice for decks built on the beach.
• Environmentally friendly.
• Works like an oil-based sealer.
• Creates a flexible, breathable barrier.

Cons

• Expensive
• Not suitable for interior woodwork

Best Eco-Friendly Sealer: Rainguard Concentrate Premium Wood Sealer

According to Water Damage Resistance, water damage causes a whopping $2.5 billion in damage to buildings in the U.S. every year, which means that protection from water should be a significant concern to you. This is a sealer that is focused on one thing – rain resistance. In this department, it seems to do a good job, causing water to collect in beads on the surface of a deck almost a year after application. This long-lasting action is even more impressive when you consider that this is one of the most affordable items on our list of deck sealers.

As if it wasn’t a good enough deal, the product is non-toxic and eco-friendly and is supplied with a 10-year guarantee. While there are some conditions to the offer, the long guarantee period indicates how confident the manufacturer is of the product.

The only problem with the product is the fact that it needs to be added to water in a particular ratio to make two gallons of sealer from one quart.

Pros

• Exceptional water resistance
• Resists mold and mildew
• 10-year guarantee
• The most inexpensive item on this list
• Works on almost any surface

Cons

• Should be mixed with water before use

Best Deck Sealer for Flood-Prone Areas: Agra-Life TriCoPolymer Lumber Seal

This is a sealer that places a lot of focus on environmental concerns. The manufacturer has made it as safe and non-toxic as possible for a product of this sort.

Although all sealers will offer a waterproof surface, this is a product that takes this a notch higher. It is rated for its flood resistance, which means that you can leave it underwater for long periods without ruining the wood. This is a feature we find quite impressive, and one we would like to see more often.

Besides the relatively high cost of this product, there is only one consistent complaint. Some reviewers have complained about the product’s curing, and claim it stays tacky and sticky.

Pros

• Does not require regular re-coating
• Offers flood protection
• Is compatible with many types of paint
• Environmentally friendly
• Has no issues with yellowing

Cons

• One of the more expensive items on our list
• Some people have reported issues with curing

Best Antimicrobial Deck Sealer: Rust-Oleum Coppercoat Wood Preservative

If you are in a region that has warm weather and rain, you have to battle with mold, both in and around your home. If your home has a natural wood deck on the outside, then it is at risk of getting infected with a fungus, particularly during the rainy season.

Our top pick for you if you need to stain and seal your deck in a hot and humid environment is the Rust-Oleum Coppercoat wood preservative. This wood preserver resists all forms of mold and fungi, which makes it the ideal protective treatment for decks within tropical climates.

According to the EPA, the product is eco-friendly, and its insecticidal preservative is toxic to termites, so you enjoy dual protection from mold and insects.

Pros

• Wax free formula will fill in minor scratches
• Great protection for high-traffic areas.
• Dries quickly

Cons

• Unsuitable for indoor use
• Tints wood with a green hue when applied

Easiest Deck Sealer to Apply: Defy Extreme Wood Stain Light Walnut

If you have a deck made from natural wood, you should use a stain and seal product, which is both affordable and effective. A product that ticks all these boxes is Defy Extreme Wood Stain.

This water-based semi-transparent wood stain will not overpower or change the wood’s natural color but will instead complement it to provide a stunning finish to the deck. Its formula has zinc nano-particle technology that, according to a study by Italy’s Pavia University, acts as a sunscreen for your wooden deck to prevent warping. Its natural matte finish is also pleasing to the eye, and the product is suitable for use on your furniture, siding and fences as well.

Pros

• Semi-transparent deck stain.
• Easy to clean
• Non-toxic
• Formulated with zinc to increase UV resistance
• Highly resistant to mold and mildew
• Extra-long lasting protection

Cons

• Expensive
• Sometimes requires application of multiple coats
• Not very shiny

How to Apply Deck Sealer Correctly

If you are reading this list of the best deck sealers and stains, you could be thinking of buying a protective product for your deck in the future or have already bought one and need to know its applications. We hope you pick one of the quality choices from our list. Regardless of the product you choose, you will only get the best results if the stain or seal is appropriately applied.

This video guide goes over the best practices that you must follow if you decide to apply a deck stain or deck sealer, and we recommend that you watch it before you apply your product. The guide will offer step-by-step instructions that will ensure that you use your new stain or sealer with confidence and give you the best possible result.

Conclusion

While a wood sealer is a relatively simple product, you should consider your options carefully before making a purchase. Try to stick to products and manufacturers with an established reputation for quality and performance.