Clear and transparent stains need a touchup every year or two. Semi-transparent last 2 to 3 years. Semi-solid stains are good for 2 to 4 years of protection. Solid stains on decks may protect up to 5 to 7 years.
Paint is often said to last longer than stain because of its thick film, which is more difficult for moisture and UV rays to penetrate. Stain also provides this protective barrier, but it tends not to last as long as paint, depending on whether you choose a more transparent or solid stain.
Many people like using a semi-transparent wood stain better than a solid one—even if it might not last as long—because it allows for more of the natural wood grain to come through. (Solid stain covers like paint.)
By combining oil and resin, Cabot Wood Toned Deck Siding Stain provides everything you might expect of the best oil based deck stain. It's great at keeping out moisture, protecting from mildew and mold. It's resistant to cracking and peeling and dries after about an hour or two after application.
Olympic. According to Consumer Reports, Olympic Maximum Solid Stain & Sealant in One is rated in their top solid wood stains category, coming in slightly behind Behr.
At best you will get 2-3 years with some of the better deck stains. Olympic lasts closer to 12-18 months on a deck floor. Warranties that claim ridiculous amounts of 5, 6, 7 years are flat out lying to you and or limited in such a way that you will not get anything in reimbursement.
Protect and beautify with BEHR PREMIUM Solid Color Weatherproofing All-In-One Wood Stain & Sealer. This 100% acrylic formula seals out the elements, and the sun's harmful UV rays, for up to 10 yrs. on decks and up to 25 yrs. on fences and siding.
Deck stains will generally peel for two basic reasons: over application and poor adhesion.
According to Mark Knaebe, a chemist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Products Laboratory who evaluates deck finishes, oil-based finishes provide more and longer-lasting protection. “Oil-based finishes penetrate deeper into the wood than water-based finishes,” Knaebe says.
A solid stain will last longer than any other stain. The downside is it doesn't show the wood grain's natural beauty. A semi-solid will be more durable than a semi-transparent, but you lose more grain. And the same applies to a semi-transparent versus transparent.
Apply solid stains in thin coats and semi-transparent stains or clear sealers in even thinner coats. This prevents puddles that don't soak into the wood and cause the stain to flake off when dry. Whatever type of stain you use, apply two coats to ensure there are no missed spots and to get a more uniform finish.
From cuts to grazes to unceremonious bouts of nosebleeding, you can expect to get your clothes dotted with dark red stains if any of these happen to you. The proteins found in blood and the pigments that make up for it all contribute to a difficult stain removal process such as a hot cocoa drink.
The Cons of Staining Wood
While some stains can last up to five years, postponing re-staining a wood surface for too long can cause the job to become more complex and labour intensive. Even decks that are stripped and re-stained will still require maintenance every couple of years.
Semi-solid stains are a better choice for decks that have seen their share of cookouts. You'll still see some grain, but you'll hide more of the wear and tear your deck has endured. Solid wood stains are for deck surfaces that have a lot of imperfections, or you just want to add a splash of color.
If you are staining bare wood for an exterior project with a solid stain, you generally do not need to prime before staining. Solid stains are generally self-priming. natural tannins in the wood from bleeding through to the topcoat of your project. Make sure the wood surface is clean and ready to accept the primer.
Let the New Deck Dry and Weather for 3-12 Months:
The most common suggestion by the manufacturer. New wood is suggested to dry since it has a high moisture content. This reduces the stain's ability to penetrate. The wood will dry and turn gray from the exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays.
Improper curing usually happens from over applying the stain. In very hot and humid climate types, mold and mildew can actually begin to form on the surface of a deck stain causing it to appear darker. In extreme cases, mold and mildew can grow below or in the stain, further darkening the appearance.
Depending on your project, you will not need to remove old stain before restaining. If you want to darken the stain on your wood project, then removing the existing stain is not necessary!
Fall is the perfect time to take on the task of staining your deck. Not only will you not roast in the sweltering summer temperatures, but the cooler fall weather is ideal for staining. Most deck stains recommend that they be used when outdoor temperatures are above 50 and below 90.
This varies by season and location, but it's usually best to stain your deck in the spring or fall. You can certainly start staining in the summer, just be sure to do it outside of the direct sunlight. The best time to stain your deck is either the spring or the fall.
The health and longevity of your deck depend solely on the maintenance gameplan you have set in place. As a general rule, your deck should be stained every 2-3 years. This can change, however, if you are in an area of high-humidity or especially volatile weather.
For Best Results:
Take the time to properly prepare your deck before getting started and finish your project right with a second coat.
Cabot Decking Stain 1480 made the top of the list at Consumer Reports and shows up as a recommendation often in forums.
The most likely reason your wood stain didn't dry properly is there was too much excess stain on the wood.