How to choose a Deck Stain

When planning a deck stain project there a few things to know before making your product purchase. Here are some tips to consider.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Was your deck recently built? If yes and it was done with treated lumber, let your deck weather for a year.

2. Is your deck previously stained or sealed? To determine this sprinkle some water on your deck, if the water beads up it is not ready to accept any stain. If the water soaks in you can rest easy that your deck will absorb the stain.

3. Oil based vs. Water based? If your deck is made with cedar or redwood lumber, use oil. The natural oils in these types of lumber will cause tannin bleed (brown streaks) if you use water based stain. If your deck is made with treated lumber, go with water based stain. Water based is easier to work with and easier to clean up.

4. Stain type? This is decision is more about personal preference than anything else. Types of stain include:
   Solid color (offers a paint-like finished appearance)
   Semi-Transparent (shows grain of wood as well as any most imperfections like knots and light / dark spots in wood)
   Toner (very little pigment, shows wood grain & all imperfections)

Tips & Warnings

• If the water beads during the "sprinkle test" you will need to chemically strip the deck before applying any stain.