#Cabot decking stain crack#

You can use a paint sprayer, roller, or brush to apply. You don’t need to worry about perfect application, since it evens itself out as it sits. It is oil-based, which means that it blends a bit better than its water-based counterparts. This exterior wood stain from Ready Seal is easy to work with and holds up against the elements, protecting your deck while creating an even finish and look.

The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.

And of course, if you’re tired of staining and restaining your deck, you can look into composite decks they offer years of maintenance-free good looks, without ever needing to apply a coat of stain. If you want your deck stain to last a long time, your best bet is to choose an option that fares well in our tests and to apply it correctly. Even big-name brands like Behr, Valspar, and Olympic, all of whom make highly rated solid deck stains, also make some semi-transparent and clear options that don’t hold up in our tests. If you’re curious about which brand makes the best deck stain, you should know that the bigger differences are actually between the different types of stains, not the companies that make them. And if you frequently move items like a grill, deck chairs, or a table from one spot to another, select a stain that resists cracking in our tests. If you have a covered deck, or if your deck is in a shady spot, look for a stain that resists mildew, because mildew tends to proliferate in damp, shaded areas. If your deck is in direct sunlight, look to those stains that resist color change over time (you can check features and specs in our ratings charts). While any of the CR-recommended stains may do, it’s best to stick to those with particularly high ratings for their appearance after three years in our test these tend to be solid stains, as opposed to semi-transparent or clear ones. Plus, unlike with a wooden fence, things like snow, salt, leaves, and rain can all easily collect on a deck, breaking down the protective layer of wood stain in the process. They withstand serious foot traffic and hold heavy items, like grills and outdoor furniture.

The seven clear sealers in our tests score the lowest, with Overall Scores from 4 to 27 (out of 100).ĭecks take a bigger beating than any other outdoor wood surface.

You’ll probably need to reapply annually. But without anything to deflect UV rays, the wood itself will turn gray over time picture a weathered cedar-shingled house. It’s ideal for accentuating the beauty of the natural grain of the wood. The 10 stains in this category also vary widely in performance, garnering Overall Scores of 8 to 41 (out of 100).Ĭlear sealer: This type of stain contains water repellents but little or no pigment. But even the best semi-transparent stains in our tests aren’t as tough as the top solid stains, and our data suggest that this type of stain will probably last only two to three years on a deck. Semi-transparent wood stains: These color the wood but let the grain peek through, making them a good choice for wood that you want to show off, such as western red cedar. The 11 stains in this category included in our comprehensive ratings chart earn Overall Scores of 12 to 82 (out of 100).

#Cabot decking stain crack#

But the paintlike qualities of solid stains have a drawback: They might build up a film, especially after several coats, which can peel, chip, and crack just like paint. Solid wood stains: Just like regular paint, solid stains hide the grain of the wood, and the best should last three to five years on a deck, the longest of the three types of stains.