Quantity: As you would expect, you will need a lot of deck stain and sealer if you wish to use it on your deck. Because of this, checking the offered quantity of the deck stain and sealer that you are using is quite important. While most of them come in 1 gallon packs, there are also other larger 5 gallon options available out there. Stain Color: Since a stain and sealer is also used for decorative purposes, checking the color offered by a given one is also necessary. Some of the common colors that you can find with your deck stain and sealer include light oak, redwood, dark walnut, and various others where you can go with any color of your choice. Compatible Wood Species: Because different decks will be made with different species of wood, your deck stain and sealer also needs to be compatible with the given wood type. In most cases, your deck stain and sealer will support multiple types of wood species which can include cedar, mahogany, redwood, pine wood, spruce, cyress, and many others where a good deck stain and sealer will be compatible with a large number of wood species.
Best Deck Stains and Sealers Table 2023
Best Deck Stains and Sealers Reviews
1. Seal-Once Marine Premium Wood Sealer
Seal-Once is a premium brand of deck stain and sealer that mainly focus on the sealant to protect your wooden deck. These are eco-friendly, and non-toxic that won’t harm any plants, pets, or people. This marine premium wood sealer creates a UV-stable coating to protect the wood (especially outdoor furniture) against the elements. It is water-based and has ultra-low VOC for the extended life of the flooring, porch, and siding. Similar to other deck stains and sealers out there, this sealer comes with a 1-gallon capacity, which is plenty for most users. It is a clear color and provides a no-fuss, easy clean-up with water and soap. They protect the lumber or concrete against water damage. This deck stain and sealer has a 3 year-long shelf life rating. However, it offers a surface dry time of 2 – 3 hours, and 12 – 24 based on the temperature and humidity, and covers up to 150 – 300 sq. ft. This marine will last for 6 years upon horizontal applications, whereas 10 years for vertical applications. Best Features:
Offers a quantity of 1 gallon Comes as a clear-colored deck stain and sealer Rated shelf life of up to 3 years Water-based UV-stable coating
Pros:
Look great even after several years Easy to apply with a quick curing time Works with a wide range of wood species
Cons:
Expensive Color might look a bit average
2. Ready Seal Exterior Stain and Sealer For Wood
Just as you can tell by its name, Ready Seal is a brand of all kinds of sealing and staining products which also includes a great option that can be used for your wooden deck. Ready Seal’s 105 deck stain and sealer is present in the 2nd position in this listicle as it is one of the best looking options out there in terms of its stain color. As for the offered quantity, this deck stain and sealer comes in a pack of 1 gallon. But the best thing about this deck stain and sealer is that it has a natural light oak color which makes it one of the best looking options out there. Another great thing about this deck stain and sealer is that you get a shelf life of up to 5 year switch it which is certainly higher than others. Best Features:
Offers a quantity of 1 gallon Comes as a natural light oak colored deck stain and sealer Rated shelf life of up to 5 years
Pros:
One of the best looking deck stains and sealers Easy to apply with a quick curing time Fairly long shelf life for peace of mind
Cons:
Might not work on all wood species due to a lighter stain
3. Olympic Stain Maximum Wood Stain and Sealer
Olympic is a brand of stains and sealers which has been making all kinds of sealants for quite a long time where most of its options not only offer great looks but also proper protection at the same time. This Olympic deck stain and sealer is present in the 3rd position in this article because this is one of the best options out there if you want proper protection along with a premium look. And this Olympic deck stain and sealer offers the same while having a standard 1 gallon quantity. If you are looking for something darker, then you will be glad to know that this deck stain and sealer has a redwood color to it. And because Olympic is quite a reputable brand of stains and sealers, it also offers a shelf life rating of 5 years which is always great to have. Best Features:
Offers a quantity of 1 gallon Comes as a redwood colored deck stain and sealer Rated shelf life of up to 5 years
Pros:
Works great even after multiple years High quality dark colored deck stain and sealer Standard quantity as most other deck stains and sealers
Cons:
Slightly on the expensive side compared to others
4. SaverSystems Semi-Transparent Wood Stain
SaverSystems is another brand of stains and sealers that primarily offers entry level and affordable options including the ones which are made for use with your deck. The SaverSystems deck stain and sealer can be a great option if you are looking for budget oriented options as this is one of the best entry level options out there. Despite its lower price tag, you still get a 1 gallon capacity with it which is on par with others. As for its differences, this deck stain and sealer has a dark walnut color to it which makes it one of the darkest options. And considering that this is a highly affordable deck stain and sealer, the given shelf life rating of up to 3 years long is quite good. Best Features:
Offers a quantity of 1 gallon Comes as a dark walnut colored deck stain and sealer Rated shelf life of up to 3 years
Pros:
Pretty great entry level deck stain and sealer Offers great protection along with a great color Decent shelf life rating for peace of mind
Cons:
Takes a bit too long to fully cure
5. SEAL-ONCE Nano+Poly Wood Sealer & Stain
As you can guess by its name, Seal Once is a brand of deck stain and sealer which primarily focuses on the sealant part which means that it is a great option for protecting your wooden deck. Seal One’s Nano Poly deck stain and sealer is the go to option for all those who want to be ensured that their wooden deck will be properly protected at all times. Similar to most other deck stains and sealers out there, this one also has a 1 gallon capacity which should be plenty for most users. Taking a look at the color offered by this deck stain and sealer, it has a bronze cedar color which is definitely different from most others. As for its similarities with other deck stains and sealers, this one also has a 3 year long shelf life rating. Best Features:
Offers a quantity of 1 gallon Comes as a bronze cedar colored deck stain and sealer Rated shelf life of up to 3 years
Pros:
Offers great protection to your wooden deck Quite good quantity for the given price Easy to apply with a manageable curing time
Cons:
Not the best color for darker wood species
6. SaverSystems Deck Premium Wood Fence Stain and Sealer
SaverSystems also offers its entry level and affordable deck stains and sealers in other colors that you can consider if you want to protect your wooden deck while making it look great. This SaverSystem deck stain and sealer is yet another viable option for all those who are on a tight budget and looking for something practical for their woodend decks. While this is one of the cheaper options available out there, you still get a quantity of 1 gallon with it. Unlike the previous SaverSystem deck stain and sealer, this one comes in a cedar color which makes it ideal for different kinds of wood species. Thankfully, you still get the same shelf life rating of up to 3 years with it which is always great to have. Best Features:
Offers a quantity of 1 gallon Comes as a cedar colored deck stain and sealer Rated shelf life of up to 3 years
Pros:
Budget friendly deck stain and sealer Water based deck stain and sealer Pretty good quantity for the given price
Cons:
Might need multiple coats for a good stain
7. Thompsons Waterseal Woodlnd Cedr
The Thompson’s Water Seal is one of the oldest brands of deck stains and sealers out there which can be perfect for all those who are looking for something highly practical for long term usage. The Thompsons Waterseal 41851 GI deck stain and sealer is the most durable and reliable option given here in terms of its shelf life. As for its included quantity, you get a 1 gallon deck stain and sealer which is par with most other options out there. But unlike most other deck stains and sealers, this one has a lifetime shelf rating which makes it ideal for long term usage. Talking about its stain color, it happens to be a cedar-colored stain for your wooden deck. Best Features:
Offers a quantity of 1 gallon Comes as a cedar colored deck stain and sealer Rated for a lifetime shelf life
Pros:
Excellent deck stain and sealer for long term usage High value for money with given pricing and quantity Offered stain color works great with most
Cons:
Limited compatibility with different wood species
8. Ready Seal Exterior Stain and Sealer
Ready Seal is a well-known brand of all kinds of staining and sealing products, which makes it a great option to use for your wooden deck. If looking for a darker option, then this redwood color deck stain and sealer is a great option for goof-proof applications. The quantity of this oil-based deck stain and sealer will be a standard 1 gallon. Since it is quite a reputable brand of stains and sealers, it offers a shelf life rating of 5 years for peace of mind. This oil-based wood stain and wood sealer is designed for exterior use and can cover approximately 125 – 150 sq. ft. per gallon. Best Features:
Offers a quantity of 1 gallon Comes as a redwood-colored deck stain and sealer Rated shelf life of up to 5 years
Pros:
Fairly long shelf life for peace of mind Easy to apply deck stains and sealers Great quality dark-colored model
Cons:
No UV protection
Buying Guide for the Best Deck Stains and Sealers
In case you have just gotten a new deck constructed for your home’s backyard, then you would want the wood to not only look great but stay the same for years to come. And in that case, it is highly important that you apply some sort of stain and sealer on it. Therefore, we have already discussed a few of the best deck stains and sealers earlier in this list. To help you pick the right one, all of these best deck stains and sealers also have their major features and options given along with them. But if you wish to know more, consider checking out this detailed buying guide for the best deck stains and sealers:
1. Quantity
If you are going to apply stain and sealer on something like a deck, the chances are that you will need a lot of stain and sealer for the same. And to ensure that you do not run out of the same while applying on your deck, you should also check the quantity of your deck stain and sealer. Usually, you will find most deck stains and sealers to offer a quantity of 1 gallon. But if you want, you can also find larger sizes with higher quantities like 5 gallons or higher. You can choose any of these quantity options as per the amount of deck stain and sealer that you want to get.
2. Stain Color
Once you have checked the quantity of your desk stain and sealer to see whether you have enough of it or not, you should look at the stain color of your deck stain and sealer. You need to check the color of your deck stain and sealer only and only for the design and looks it will offer. Since you will be using your deck stain and sealer on wooden surfaces, they generally offer stain colors accordingly as well. Some of the common stain color options that you can find to choose from include light oak, redwood, dark walnut, etc. And while buying a deck stain and sealer, you can simply go with any of these as per your preference.
3. Compatible Wood Species
Before you go ahead and use a given deck sealer and sealer, it is quite important that you ensure it is compatible with the wood species used in your deck. Fortunately, almost all deck stains and sealers available out there are compatible with multiple types of wood species. Some of the common compatible wood species that you will find include cedar, mahogany, redwood, pine wood, spruce, cyress, and a few others. Any deck stain and sealer which is compatible with a large number of wood species is going to be highly practical and versatile to use.
4. Shelf Life
While most deck stains and sealers will be used right away during application if you are coating a complete deck from scratch, the situation might be different if you are applying an additional coat. In that case, you may end up with additional deck stain and sealer leftover with you which you may want to use later on. To ensure that you can use this deck stain and sealer next year or some other time, you should also consider looking at the shelf life of the deck stain and sealer that you are going for. Usually, most deck stains and sealers will come with a 3 year long or a 5 year long shelf life rating. But if you want something more reliable, you can also find other deck stains and sealers with a lifetime shelf rating.
1. How do you apply a deck stain and sealer?
If you want the best results, then you should apply your deck stain and sealer using a paint pad applicator. You can then use this to apply the deck stain and sealers in multiple coats. Make sure that all coats are made with long and even strokes while coating all the nooks and crannies. 2. Does a deck stain and sealer start protecting wood right away? Almost all deck stains and sealers have a specific curing time of multiple days in most cases. This means that once you have applied a given deck stain and sealer, you cannot wash the deck until the stain is completely dry and cured. 3. What kind of protections does a deck stain and sealer offer? Since a deck stain and sealer essentially seals the wood from external factors, your wooden deck will be protected against UV rays, water and moisture, cracks, and much more. And since you get all of this while adding a great looking colored stain, using a deck stain and sealer is highly recommended.
Conclusion
Taking a look at the most affordable deck stain and sealer given above, the Storm System 291112 stain is the perfect option for buyers on a budget. Despite being the cheapest option, it offers a standard quantity of 1 gallon. Inside the pack, you get a hickory colored deck stain and sealer. And you also get a shelf life of 3 years with this deck stain and sealer. Speaking of shelf life, if you want a deck stain and sealer made for long term usage, then the Thompsons Waterseal 41851 stain is the perfect pick for you. It is the only option given above which offers a lifetime shelf life rating. As for using this deck stain and sealer, it has a quantity of 1 gallon which is on par with others. This stain comes in a cedar color that looks great in most cases. If you want a deck stain and sealer made for heavy duty usage, then you should go for the Storm System Protector stain and sealer. Thanks to its 5 gallon capacity, it can even be used on large scale applications and jobs with ease. With this deck stain and sealer, you get a great looking golden oak color. You even get a shelf life of 3 years with this deck stain and cleaner which is quite good. Comment * Name * Email * Website
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