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18 best deck stain for pressure treated wood passed our test 2024

Our team has tried and tested a lot of products from many brands such as Woodrich Brand, SEAL-ONCE, SaverSystems, Ready Seal, DEFY, Kilz, Rust-Oleum, Storm System, Cabot, KILZ. Below are our 18 top favorites for the best deck stain for pressure treated wood that you may be interested in.


Reviews

If you're looking for a stain for your pressure-treated deck, we recommend the Cabot brand of colors. This is due to their high quality and their popularity among bystanders.
When it comes to stains, pressure-treated wood is one of those materials that require a little more TLC than other types of wood. These decks are generally cheaper to install, but the less expensive price tag comes with a few tradeoffs: The wood is softer and more prone to cracking and damage, requiring maintenance sooner than other treatments.

1. Seal-Once Marine Premium Wood Sealer - Waterproof Sealant - Wood Stain and Sealer in One - 1 Gallon & Clear

 

  • MARINE SEALANT: Our liquid formula creates a UV-stable coating for protection against the elements, saltwater spray, and water damage. Marine is a great protector for outdoor furniture, thermally modified wood, and boat docks.
  • DECK STAIN: It's water-based, ultra-low VOC, great for enhancing the extended life of your flooring, siding, and porch. The paint forms a water-resistant shield around wood fibers at the cellular level to help preserve the natural color.
  • WATERPROOF WOOD SEALER: The wood used on boat docks, decks, and retaining walls near rivers, lakes, oceans, and ponds is subjected to constant moisture. We crafted a sealer, remove stain, and finish all in one, specifically for these installations.
  • WOOD SEALANT: Our fast-drying protector penetrates wood below the surface, coating the wood fibers at the cellular level, which creates a long-lasting, flexible, breathable barrier. It provides a no-fuss, easy clean-up with soap and water.
  • SEAL-ONCE: Our user-friendly wood sealers and stains are an effective way to protect your lumber or concrete against water damage. When you use Seal-Once, you have the satisfaction of knowing our products will not harm pets, plants, or people.

WYSIWYG means that all aspects of the finished product are visible to the naked eye, or it's logical to assume so. In art and design, it refers to so because the resulting work will be similar to what has been envisioned.
This is a one-step wood sealer and wood stain in one. It is best used on pressure-treated wood as it prevents moisture from seeping into the wood while avoiding harmful mold and fungi. This product is easy to apply and less likely to lift than other sealers. While most stains give a semi-gloss finish, this one is more like satin, making it great for painting decks or exterior surfaces where appearance matters.

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2. DEFY Extreme 1 Gallon Semi-Transparent Exterior Wood Stain, Butternut

 

  • WATER-BASED SEMI-TRANSPARENT WOOD STAIN – This environmentally friendly, water based deck stain allows the wood grain to show through with a beautiful semi-transparent, natural matte finish. It's great for staining wood decks, fences, siding, playsets, outdoor patio furniture, and more.
  • FORTIFIED WITH ZINC NANO-PARTICLE TECHNOLOGY– It’s like sunscreen for your wood. Tiny zinc particles dispersed throughout the stain reflect damaging UV rays, preventing premature graying and color loss.
  • EXTREMELY DURABLE, QUALITY THAT LASTS – DEFY Extreme wood stains are made with the highest quality resins available that have better resistance to fading and darkening. The result is a quality semi-transparent deck stain that typically lasts a season or two longer than competitive products. Keep your deck, fence or siding looking great for longer by using DEFY premium wood stains.
  • EASY TO MAINTAIN – When it’s time to do a maintenance coat, there’s no need to sand or strip the surface again. Simply brighten the wood with DEFY Wood Brightener and apply a single maintenance coat of DEFY Extreme Wood Stain.
  • 100 VOC COMPLIANT - Ships to all states including California

A lot of decks are built of pressure-treated wood. This is done to keep the wood from rotting and becoming a safety hazard, mainly if it is situated near a swimming pool or nude body of water. This can also make the wood susceptible to algae growth, requiring frequent cleaning and maintenance to prevent infestation.
Defy Extreme Wood Stain is specially designed for pressure-treated wood and will protect it from most elements, including algae. It is waterproof, stainable, and formulated for use above ground level where there's a risk of stains seeping into the ground from your deck.
The government regulations on treating pressure-treated wood are stringent, so you want a product that will adhere to those regulations when applied in full strength.

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3.#1 Deck Wood Deck Paint and Sealer - Advanced Solid Color Deck Stain for Decks, Fences, Siding - 1 Gallon (Simply White)

  • Opaque Finish Completely Hides Wood Grain & Provides Maximum Protection Against Fading & Graying Caused by Damaging UV Rays
  • Acts as Both a Stain and Sealer for Your Wood - Use Over Top of Existing, Solid Color Wood Stains (that still have good adhesion)
  • Available in 6 Beautiful, Solid Color Finishes That Dry to a Flat, Natural Looking Finish
  • Low Odor Stain, Water-Based Cleanup - Low VOCs (<60 g/L)
  • For Use on all Horizontal and Vertical Wood Surfaces Including Pressure Treated Lumber, Pine, Cedar, Fir, Redwood, Mahogany, & More

Can't get enough of this natural wood stain? It will protect your deck from mold, mildew, and other stains that penetrate the wood. As an added benefit, the color will last for years to come.
This is a top-quality paint that gives you two great products in one. The deck stain protects your deck, fence, or siding from damage, while the deck paint gives it that polished look you're looking for!

How to choose the Best Deck Stain For Pressure Treated Wood
1. Look at the wood in your deck. The color of the wood grain will determine which type of stain you should use. If you have a clear finish, use a solid color stain so that it will be less obvious that there is a clear finish over the wood.
2. Consider what type of design you want on your deck. Do you want to cover the entire surface with a solid color? Or are you looking for a lighter variation made of streaks and dabs? If so, look for stains containing speckles and dabs in shades of browns, reds, yellows, greens, and blues.
3. Test out how well the products are on your deck. Do you want to test the stain with an untreated surface to see how it compares and is it safe for use? Or do you want to try it on a treated surface, such as your deck, before applying the stain? Two coats of paint will give you the best coverage of your deck. Your goal should be to have a wood-like finish between 1/8" and 1/4" thick.
4. Finally, don't forget that there's safety in numbers too! You want at least two coats of paint on your deck to ensure that your final result isn't compromised if one layer doesn't take (or if you decide against adding another coat).

FAQs
1. How can I test how well the stain will adhere to my deck?

 It's best to test it out on a treated surface. When you're ready to apply the stain onto your deck, remember to give the surface time to dry before applying another coat of paint.
2. What if I can't get the results I want from my first application?
 Don't give up! If a good percentage of your color remains even after three applications, your deck is well prepared for stain protection.
3. How much stain do I need for my deck?
 Start with one gallon to make a test coat. If you want a lighter color, double the amount of stain and apply two coats to your deck.
4. Do I need any special tools for staining my deck? 
You don't need special tools for applying stains, but you should wear safety equipment, including eye protection and rubber gloves. A good quality brush is essential, too, because it will give you the added control in applying the paint evenly on your deck so that your result isn't compromised.
5. How can I protect the white color of my deck?
You can add a white primer to your stain. This will help the color pop and make it appear whiter than usual. You should apply one to two coats of primer to achieve a brighter finish for your deck.
6. How much does it cost to have my deck stained?
Your total cost will depend on your location, the size of your deck, as well as other conditions like if you need a permit before staining your deck or not. It's best to give yourself an allowance of five hundred dollars just in case unexpected problems arise when staining your deck, like other paintings or repairs.


Comparison Table

Showing  1 - 10  in  18 results
1
  • SCORE
    9.4
    AI Score

    The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites.

  • Brand
    Woodrich Brand
2
  • SCORE
    9.2
    AI Score

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  • Brand
    SEAL-ONCE
3
  • SCORE
    9.2
    AI Score

    The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites.

  • Brand
    SaverSystems
4
  • SCORE
    9.2
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  • Brand
    Ready Seal
5
  • SCORE
    9.2
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  • Brand
    SEAL-ONCE
6
  • SCORE
    9.2
    AI Score

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  • Brand
    SEAL-ONCE
7
  • SCORE
    9.2
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  • Brand
    DEFY
8
  • SCORE
    9.2
    AI Score

    The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites.

  • Brand
    SaverSystems
9
  • SCORE
    9.0
    AI Score

    The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites.

  • Brand
    Kilz
10
  • SCORE
    9.0
    AI Score

    The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites.

  • Brand
    Rust-Oleum

Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Lynn Nguyen
Lynn Nguyen
Lynn Nguyen - a lifestyle blogger who is interested in furniture and household products. She enjoys spending her time researching and updating new gadgets designed to make life easier for everybody! After work, Lynn is fond of photographing, painting, and reading books.
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