Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Staining/Sealing new Deck....HELP!

OK. We have a new deck that is a little over a year old. Pressure treated pine. We are going to have it stained next week. We just have to pick up the stain. Couple of questions from this lost soul....

1) Best Stain? Sherwin Williams, Porter, Cabot...any suggestions would be great.

2) Oil or water based? Our plan it to have it done and then maybe every year or so, "Boost it" by re-applying some type of protectant. So any help on what kind of stain would be great.

3) Do most go with transparent stain or semi-transparent? I'm really not sure the difference. I do want "color" but I also want a natural look. Maybe just not natural pressure treated pine look....

I really am lost here. I'm kind of on my own to get the stain so want to make a informed decision. ANY help would be great....

THANKS!!!

volntitan,

Welcome to the forums.

First step is to decide what you want the deck to look like. Go to a paint store and talk to the counterperson. They can show you samples of what the various stains will make the wood look like -- color, how much grain shows through, sheen, etc.

Sherwin Williams, Kelly Moore, Sikkens, Super Deck, Cabots, ... The brand really isn't that important. What you want is a quality stain that doesn't flake, peal, blister, etc., and keeps working for at least a year -- the next time you get to applying it. Price per gallon is usually a pretty good indicator of the quality -- the higher the price, the better the product.

Unfortunately I need to make a decision pretty quick. Any recommendation on which brand/store makes the best?

You'll probably go to whatever paint store is closest, whether that is one of the national chains like Kelly-Moore, Ben-Moore, Sherwin-Williams, etc., or a local XYZ Paint -- whatever name the owner's dubbed their business.

The brand name really isn't that important. Certainly you will find people and pros who have brand or dealer preferences. The PRICE is going to tell you more about the quality than the name will.

A clear finish will have the shortest life span. From there, basically the less transparent the finish is, the longer it will last.

Thanks. Have you heard of a stain called TWP? Trying to see if anyone locally carries it.

I've heard of TWP but have never used/seen it. It's my understanding that it is similiar to CWF. I love the look CWF gives wood but it doesn't hold up to weather as well as some of the other coatings. Depending on weather/sun exposure, CWF lasts 2-5 yrs on siding and 1-2 yrs on most decks. I don't know if that relates anything to TWP.

As Lefty noted, generally the more you pay; the better/longer it will last and more pigment usually indicates longer life. Big box paint depts rarely have well informed help and usually only stock the cheaper coatings, so going to your local paint store will give you access to both better coatings and advice..... and their advice is usually tailored to your climate.

I can get Sherwin Williams for about $30 a gallon on sale, is that about normal? I know I could maybe spend more, but not sure on what or how much. Lowe's carries Cabot as well.

Oil vs. Water? Is one better for decks?

Given a choice between going to S-W and Lowe's, I'd follow the pros to S-W. Think about it -- the crew at S-W works with pros everyday. They are not only giving advise to pros, they are getting FEEDBACK from pros. And those are LOCAL pros -- they have seen what works best in the climate that your deck is living in.

Water or oil?? What does the guy at S-W suggest? He's basing his answer on what he knows will work best in your climate.

And make sure that he knows it's a deck. The finish on a horizontal surface won't last as long as the finish on a vertical surface.

Am I correct in saying that the Sherwin Williams product is waterbased only? Isn't oil supposed to be better?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am just nervous that if that is true wouldn't Sherwin Williams salesperson downgrade oil just to sell their waterbased product?

SW has both oil and water based products. They are going to recommend the one that they feels will work best in your application. Their recommendation will be based on the info that you provide them with about how the product will be used. The better your input to them, the better their advise will be.

Whether they sell you an oil or a water based product isn't going to matter to them. What WILL matter is having a happy customer.

You have a deck that is going to be around for 20 years or so. They know that you'll be restaining/resealing it every year or two. They want you to be happy with their product so that you'll keep coming back for more, over and over and over.

Either the SWP' waterborne or oil base formula in Deckscapes would be a good choice. I like the waterborne but it does require a longer drying time than oil. It dries to the touch quicker but it takes it longer to cure where rain won't hurt it.