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I'm looking for a good deck stain to use this spring. We have pressure treated Pine and it gets a ton of afternoon sun because it faces west. In fact, it's like a kiln by 3:00 in the afternoon.

We need something to protect the wood from drying and splitting.

Thanks!

I would check to see what the deck resurfacing companies (the ones that do it for hire) use in your area? Climate and conditions do make a difference in the lasting ability of the different top brands. Or check the "local lumber yard" or paint store where the contractors shop, as to what their top seller stain is in your area. (just don't necessarily rely on Home Depot or Lowes)

Climate... as to freeze/thaw temperature cycles, moisture level year round as humidity, intense heat, sun of course, all tend to require, or do better with certain formulas/brands of protective stain. And they usually aren't the ones you see TV commercials for. The best ones also tend to cost a little more too, but getting more time between recoats is very worth it.

Where we are in the mountains, Sikkens seems to be the best/most popular, and even they have different formulas for a variety of wood surfaces and applications. And the prep, plus a dry surface for application and curing, is most important too.

Thanks Conrad, good advice. I'll check at Sherwin Williams and see what they say.

It's so hard to really know because everyone says their product is the best and the rest stink.

We're in zone 6/7.

I also found you should avoid anything with a red tint as it will fade faster... even in a stain. But they may have changed things over the years so check with the paint store if that is still true.

It has been my experience that solid color stains also last much longer in the sun, than transparent or even semi-transparent stains. Sun's UV rays are really destructive in high exposure areas to anything transparent.

metwo, that's interesting about the red tint.

The year before last we put a Cedar semi transparent stain on the deck. It looked great for about 6 months then it faded to nothing.
Our deck looks exactly like it did before we "stained" it except underneath the door mat where it's still "Cedar".

I guess it had 2 strikes against it...red and semi transparent.

We'll try something without a red pigment and a solid color.

Thanks again Conrad and Metwo!

Two of the best stains for a deck that faced with extreme heat of the sun are TWP 1500 Series and Defy Extreme Stain. These 2 are proven to protect decks best and works even under extreme weather conditions. If your pressure treated pine is new, it is advised that you apply a single coat and then recoat it after a few months. New pressure treated pines are not that much absorbent so you need to recoat it rather than wasting 2 coats at one time.

-One

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