Transparency, or opacity, determines how much wood grain you want to see after your deck is stained. For newer wood, go with clear, transparent or semi-transparent stains — that way some grain still shows through. Semi-solid stains are a better choice for decks that have seen their share of cookouts.
Is clear deck stain good?
Clear deck sealers continue to be a great option for protecting your wood deck from water damage, but unfortunately, do not provide any protection against UV rays and graying/wood darkening.
What is the best transparent deck stain?
- TWP 100 Series Semi-Transparent Stain.
- Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Stain.
- Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Stain.
- TWP 1500 Series Semi-Transparent Stain.
- Defy Extreme Semi-Transparent Stain.
What is better solid or transparent stain?
Semi-Solid – Semi-solid deck stains will almost completely hide the wood grain and natural color. These stains provide more UV protection than a semi-transparent and are a better representation of the stain’s actual color. ... Solid color stains will “film” on top of the wood, masking the grain, while looking like paint.
Is semi-transparent or transparent stain better?
Transparent stains , although they appear clear, have some pigment in them for UV protection. Semi-transparent stains have more pigment, but still allow some of the wood grain to show through. ... The general rule is that the more pigment in the stain, the better protection it will provide.
What is the longest lasting deck stain?
Opaque : Sometimes called a “solid deck stain,” this product contains the highest percentage of pigment and will protect wood the longest, requiring a recoat every 4 to 5 years. Opaque stain is also the densest and completely hides the wood grain. It offers the most coverage short of applying a deck paint.
Is it better to stain or seal a deck?
Sealing a deck is best for cedar, teak, mahogany , or other quality woods as it enhances the wood grain and natural color. Staining a deck protects the wood from mold, mildew, moisture, and rot, and UV rays and sun damage.
Is there a deck stain that doesn’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.
What lasts longer semi-transparent or solid stain?
Semi- transparent stains are the lightest in color, allowing much wood grain to be seen. They can come in nearly any color, and they typically last 3-4 years. ... They provide longer protection and can also be tinted in nearly any color. Solid stains are nearly indistinguishable from paint.
Does transparent deck stain peel?
This is simple — too much stain on the surface of the wood. With deck stains, specifically with semi-transparent finishes, more is not better. ... If there is too much stain, it restricts the moisture from evaporating away, so peeling can occur .
What is the difference between clear and transparent stain?
A clear finish will show the most amount of wood grain and impact the color of your wood the least , allowing it to weather naturally. ... Semi-transparent stains offer a subtle, yet more pronounced color appearance, while still allowing some wood grain and texture to show through.
Do deck stains fade?
Periodic maintenance of your deck can help all types of stain last. Without proper care, your deck can look faded and outdated due to the elements and natural wear and tear . You can help your deck stain look great for many years by: ... Power washing or hosing down and scrubbing the deck to remove mildew.
Which stain last the longest?
Just like regular paint, solid stains hide the grain of wood, and the best should last three to five years on a deck, the longest of the three types of stains.
Do you need two coats of semi-transparent stain?
Skip a Second Coat
With a solid stain, CR typically recommends putting on two coats because these are more like a regular paint and will dry one on top of the other. But with a clear or semi-transparent wood stain, a second coat will just sit on the surface of the first coat .
Can solid stain go over semi-transparent?
Don’t use solid stain on a deck or any surface you want to walk on because it’s too thin and won’t hold up. You can use solid stain over existing solid or semi-transparent stain , but semi-transparent stain over solid stain will look strange and won’t last.
Can you use semi-transparent stain on wood?
Clear finishes and transparent stains are fine for new wood, but for older decks, Starling recommends using a semitransparent stain . ”The grain still shows through, but the pigment gives the old wood a clean, uniform color and helps the new wood blend in,” he says.
