Water-Based vs. Oil-Based Exterior Wood Stains and More
- Water-based exterior wood stains have more color options and dry within a couple of hours, letting you complete the project quickly. They have less odor and offer easy cleanup with soap and water.
- Oil-based deck stains and exterior wood stains penetrate the wood more deeply, making application easier and enhancing the look of the woodgrain. Longer drying time allows you to better blend the stain as you apply it to avoid streaking and brush marks. Oil-based deck stains and exterior wood stains require mineral spirits for cleanup.
- Oil-modified exterior wood stains or hybrid stains offer benefits of both water- and oil-based exterior wood stains: deep penetration into the wood that brings out the beauty of the grain and easy cleanup with soap and water.
- Solvent-based exterior wood stains are less common than water- or oil-based exterior wood stains. Solvent-based exterior wood stains provide long-lasting protection, but typically have a strong odor, so ventilation is a must. They may take longer than other options to dry fully and require cleanup with mineral spirits.
This guide covers exterior wood stain and sealer products for staining wood that’s outdoors. To learn about products that'll beautify and protect interior wood surfaces such as furniture, moulding and hardwood floors, see our Interior Wood Stain and Finish Guide.
Exterior Wood Stains and Transparency
To find the best wood exterior stain or the best outdoor wood preservative for a deck, choose a level of transparency based on the look you want. Balance that with the protection you need for your deck, furniture or other wood projects. In general, clearer stains show more woodgrain but more pigment maximizes the appearance of color and offers more protection from ultraviolet (UV) damage.
Clear Exterior Wood Stains Show Natural Beauty
Clear stains or sealers add waterproofing and often include UV protection as well as mold and mildew resistance. These products add no color but display the natural beauty of the wood while protecting it from damage like warping and cracking. Since they have no color, overlapping brush strokes won’t leave visible lap marks. While clear products don’t change the wood color, they’re the best deck stains if you’re focused purely on protecting and preserving your deck from outside elements and weather.
Transparent Exterior Wood Stains Offer a Touch of Color
Transparent wood stain-and-sealer products provide a slight tint to accent the woodgrain and the color of the wood. They provide more protection than clear sealers and aren’t susceptible to lap marks like more opaque products. Transparent exterior wood stains are the best deck stains if you just want to make a small adjustment to the look of your deck.
Semi-Transparent Exterior Wood Stains Keep Woodgrain Visible
Semi-transparent stain-and-sealer products have more color but still allow much of the woodgrain to show through. More pigment provides greater protection from the sun than more transparent products, but semi-transparent stains typically won’t protect as long as more solid stains. These exterior wood stains are often the best deck stains if you want to change the look of your deck, keep the dimensional beauty of the woodgrain and want to protect and preserve the deck.
Semi-Solid Exterior Wood Stains Offer Color and Protection
Semi-solid stain-and-sealer products have more pigmentation, which conceals more of the woodgrain. These offer better protection from the sun. Semi-solid exterior wood stains are the best deck sealer stains if you want to balance color with protection.
Solid Exterior Wood Stains Create Deep Color Change
Solid or opaque stain-and-sealer products provide rich color but hide most of the woodgrain — a good option if the wood is weathered or if you want to change its look. They cover like paint and typically last the longest, though multiple coats can lead to cracking or peeling. These exterior wood stains often work well on fencing and outdoor furniture, and some are for vertical surfaces only, so they may be the best deck sealer stains for staining and protecting the deck railing and frame.
Deck Resurfacers Are More Than Exterior Wood Stains
Deck resurfacers are thick products designed to cover flaws in wood surfaces such as splinters and minor cracks. As solid stains, these products mask the woodgrain but can be the best stains for a deck if outside elements have weathered and damaged the deck surface and you want to renew the look of the deck and improve resistance to moisture and UV damage.
Poor preparation can cause stains and sealers to fail. Follow the manufacturer’s preparation and application instructions. If the wood isn't brand-new, use an exterior wood or deck cleaner first. These cleaners help remove dirt, nail stains, algae and mildew that can prevent the wood from accepting a stain or sealer.
Exterior Wood Stain Colors
- Pre-tinted stains are ready to use in traditional shades of brown and wood tones like cedar, mahogany, walnut and cherry. Pre-tinted stains tend to offer the best wood stain colors if you want to maintain the warm look of the wood but adjust the color or tone.
- Tintable stains also offer natural wood colors, but you can have some tinted as you would paint, resulting in colors such as greens and blues. Tintable stains are the best exterior wood stain colors if you want lots of options or you prefer a dramatic color that can give surfaces the look of painted wood. If you’re looking for the best stain for outdoor wood furniture to create bold statement pieces on a deck or patio, these opaque exterior wood stains are good options.
Factors such as wood type, existing color and the way the light hits the surface affect how the color of a wood stain appears. To get an idea of the final effect, test the stain on an inconspicuous area and check the surface after it dries.
Film Exterior Wood Stains vs. Penetrating Stains
- Film-forming products leave a protective coating on a wood surface and do a good job resisting weathering. But when you re-stain the wood, use another film-forming stain or strip the existing stain.
- Penetrating exterior wood stains soak into the wood so you can see the natural beauty of the wood. While they may require more maintenance to uphold their protection, you don’t need to strip them when you re-stain.
Check the manufacturer’s information to confirm your exterior wood stain and sealer products are suitable for your project. Follow the safety instructions and make sure you have good ventilation.
What Type of Exterior Wood Stain Do I Need?
Finding the best outdoor patio furniture stain, the best deck stain or the best exterior wood stain for fences and siding depends on several factors, including the appearance you want, the type of wood you’re working with and whether or not the wood has an existing stain. Some general tips are below, but always check the stain manufacturer’s information to make sure a stain is right for your project.
- New treated lumber with pre-applied water repellency requires an oil-based stain. The additive that repels water also keeps the wood from accepting water-based stains effectively.
- If new treated lumber doesn’t have a manufacturer-applied water repellent, either an oil-based or a water-based stain will work once the wood has fully dried.
- While a solid stain typically works on wood with an existing stain of any transparency, if the wood has a solid stain applied, it will not take up a transparent or semi-transparent stain. Unless you want to strip off the existing finish, it’s best to apply another solid stain.
- Horizontal surfaces such as porches, deck floors and steps are subject to heavy foot traffic and inclement weather. Look for a product formulated specifically for these surfaces.
- You can stain other surfaces such as brick, concrete and composite wood with some exterior stain products. Check the manufacturer’s information to see what surfaces are compatible with a product.
Treated lumber needs to dry before staining. Drying times vary based on the weather and how wet the lumber is, but some lumber can be ready for staining after six to eight weeks. Newly treated lumber may take several months. To check if the wood is ready for stain, sprinkle a few drops of water onto the surface. If the wood absorbs the water, it’s ready to take stain. If the water beads and doesn’t soak into the wood, it’s not dry enough to stain.