Last updated on December 30th, 2021 | By: Grady Galvez
With each passing winter, preparing for a DIY job to fix up the fencing, decks & siding damaged by harsh winter, has been like a normal routine during my childhood. I’d heartily join my Dad to help paint or stain the exterior wooden features of our sprawling home.
While deck stains help in maintaining the integrity of the wood, protection, and enhancing aesthetic beauty, it also makes them look alive highlighting the natural grains. These exterior wood stains are wonderful applications that provide protection to your wood against weather, water, mold, mildew UV rays, and scratches. So let’s jump to find some of the best wood stains options available in the market today.
Best Outdoor Wood Stain Brands Reviewed
★ Best Overall ★
DEFY Extreme 1 Gallon
Highest Quality
High Technology
Extremely Durable
★ Premium ★
Ready Seal 512 5-Gallon
Natural Cedar
“Goof Proof” Application
Apply In Any Temperature
5 Most Recommended Exterior Wood Stain
1. Ready Seal 512 5-Gallon Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer
Features:
The Ready Seal adds so much beauty and luster to the wood while keeping it visible. This is best suited for exterior wood surfaces and projects, as it is oil-based, semi-transparent stain and is a sealer too. The texture and grain of the wood are enhanced with this amazing wood stain, click to see the final finish that you get after using it.
A premium quality wood stain that penetrates deeply in the wood surface and prevents damage from mold, mildew and harmful UV rays. All types of wood surfaces can be stained with the Ready Seal.
2. DEFY Extreme 1 Gallon Semi-Transparent Exterior Wood Stain
The DEFY Extreme is a deck stain that is water-based and an environmentally friendly formula. This one is suitable for decks, patio furniture (wood) and pressure-treated wood.
This semi-transparent wood stain helps in providing protection against weather and scratches and is a very durable one. it gives a matte finish for an amazing natural finish. A big thumbs up for this product, also see the most authentic user review here.
Features:
3. KILZ L211101 Adhesion High-Bonding Interior Latex Primer/Sealer
The KILZ is again an exterior wood stain that is durable and maintains the integrity of the wood along with keeping it beautiful and waterproof. This is an Acrylic formula (100%) and can provide long-lasting protection to your wood from snow, rain or sun damage. The finish this provides is mildew resistant and UV protected.
What else one can expect? This can last easily and carries a warranty for the decks and fences for 3 to 5 years respectively. This can cover up to 250 square feet of the area when the first coat is applied and can cover about 500 square feet on the second. Wood cleaner and brightener is used for neutralizing the wood, click here to see a stained deck.
Features:
4. #1 Deck Premium Wood Stain
The #1 Deck Premium is a semi transparent or solid deck stain that is of premium quality and performs amazingly. This makes look your wood beautiful as gives a flat and natural look. This is an environmentally friendly and water-based solution. This can be used on exterior softwoods, and also protects against moisture and harmful ultraviolet rays.
This comes with an easy cleaning feature (soapy water) and has a very low odor. It requires no thinning and might be destroyed due to it. This is a product that is average with no extra advantages or disadvantages but can easily be used for any quick projects.
Features:
5. Thompson’s Waterseal Th.041851-16 Transparent Waterproofing Stain
The Thompsons outdoor wood sealer is again a unique brand and is sold as a wood stain and a sealer both. You can just save your cost and labor with this unusual product. This is used on exterior wood products and is available in 5 different staining colors for you to choose from. It just gives a natural look to your wooden surface along with providing protection and enhances the appearance.
This is again all-in-one protection. The product boats of exceeding the industry standards ASTM D-4446, and is worth a waterproofing wood. It shows some of the natural wood texture and grain after use, though categorized as transparent. This dries up very quickly in a few hours.
Features:
The Points To Ponder Before Purchasing The Best Wood Deck Stain
When anyone applies a coat of exterior stain on any natural wood then the woodgrains pop, the excitement occurs, isn’t it! Once choosing you should go for a best quality wood stain, a durable product and should be taken care of before applying.
Determining The Wood Type
The type of wood you have matters a lot, as any sort of softwoods absorbs stain quicker than the hardwood surfaces. Just after one coat application, they come out dark. Oak and cherry hardwood type require a number of coats for making the base look dark. You can yourself find out the type of wood, for e.g. the hardwood surfaces are smoother than the softwood ones. The softwood surface can be blotchy and have inconsistent wood grain.
Choosing The Level Of Protection
When you choose a deck stain, it’s much obvious that you should go for the best quality exterior stain, that possesses the maximum protective features.
The Type Of Stain To Buy: Two main factors here
The level of quality varies for different surfaces when you choose. Supposing, an outdoor furniture piece that is constructed with fine wood needs be given a perfect finish than the decks and fences that are not so noticed.
Since the product is used on outdoor and exterior surfaces, then they should completely incorporate with mold, mildew and UV resistance along with waterproofing. You should go for combination sealant and stain for giving the maximum protection to your wooden surfaces. So, choose the best one that your wooden space deserves.
Preparing The Wood For Staining
There might be unevenness on your softwood and it may be blotchy, so it is good to apply a pre-stain cleaner on the surface before applying the stain. If needed, the wood can be sanded for the best results.
The sandpaper makes it more difficult for the wood to absorb and gives a lighter appearance. The coarser grade will absorb better and the surface will be left darker after applying.
What Is To Be Stained
A wide brush is required to stain decks and fences. Any exterior surfaces that are small, require a foam or a regular brush along with disposable rags and a lot of rags. Keep smaller drags, so that they shouldn’t spoil or wipe the stain that you apply. Smaller drugs are easy to control and can be cut in smaller pieces.
Precautions For Safety Before Staining
A sponge brush, a regular stain brush and rags can be used. As the brushes can absorb the stain so they can provide an even spread over the wood. It is difficult to get off the stain from your hands so always pair it with vinyl or latex gloves, as protection for your hands. As the stains emit strong fumes, preferably open and well-ventilated area should be chosen for staining your wooden surfaces.
Applying Exterior Stain On Small Projects
The exterior stain needs to be applied on the brush prior for soaking up. After that it should rubbed along the wood line or grain. The stain should be applied liberally for a good finish and should be kept for 5 to 15 minutes approximately. The hardwoods require a lot of time for absorbing the stain, so you should wait for a longer time. More coats have to applied on hardwood surfaces.
A time duration of 5 to 15 minutes should be used to make it rest and later to be wiped down with a rag. For applying the second coat according to your requirement for darkening the surface, 4 to 6 hours should be waited for and applied again in the same direction that you did prior for a good finish. The drying time should be about 15 minutes and the excess stain can be wiped off then. After the desired darkening of your wooden surface or project let it sit for 8 hours or so.
The Last Verdict
Do you want your wooden projects to look rough and dull? I am sure, no.
Applying a superior quality wood stain is a great way to keep your wooden spaces look lustrous, well-protected and durable. After going through the products, buying tips you can easily decide the type of wood stain your wood deserves.
Frequently Asked Question's
Q1. Which Deck Stain Lasts Long?
Ans 1. The deck stains that are solid and dark in appearance tend to last long. Most of the deck stains discussed above last for at least three years or more. Behr is supposed to be the deck stain with most long-lasting quality and is a solid deck, fence and aiding wood stain.
Q2. How Many Coats Of Stain Are Required?
Ans 2. Softwoods require one good coat for staining and the hardwoods may require a maximum of 2 coats, as the absorption takes time while dealing with hardwood surfaces. It depends on the type of wood you use. The deck stain should be liberally used while applying.
Q3. How Often Should The Deck Be Oiled?
Ans3. It is extremely important to maintain your deck and keep it looking fresh. The oiling should be done every 6 to 12 months to add life to your wooden deck. Your deck will look best throughout the year as will be well kept by a regular oiling schedule. Take good care of your deck by oiling it regularly.
Q4. Can Sanding Be Done In Between The Coats Of Stain?
Ans 4. You can sand in between coats to give a smoother finish, though the final coat should never be sanded. Water-based coats can be used for sanding after drying up. After the surface is dry after the first coat you can use 220 or 240 grit sandpaper can be used for lightly sanding the surface.
Q5. Do Oil-based Stains Need Sealing?
Ans5. Oil-based stains should or should not be sealed, depends on the features of your wood stain. Sealing gives more protection and a long-lasting finish. Most of the deck stains mentioned in the article are stain and sealer both. Though sealing brings more clarity on the topcoat of the stain.