There is a high possibility that your deck's wood is now weathered and lost is shine for the age. And you might be wondering whether you want to spend that much money on refurbishing the deck again.
But did you know that you can restore the weathered wood by using one of the deck stains? Well, yes, you definitely can. You need not have to spend that much money to get the aesthetic outlook back again.
However, if you really want to get the best possible result, you would have to get the best deck stain for weathered wood. By using those, you would be able to make your old and aging deck look brand new again.
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Table of Contents
5 Best Deck Stain for Weathered Wood Reviews
Not all of the stains you are going to stumble upon will offer the restoration result you might be looking for. However, the ones that we have picked are surely not going to disappoint you, which we can assure you. And the ones that we have selected through our vigorous research are as follows:
1. SaverSystems #1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent
Being able to protect from color fading and preventing greying are two of the factors that make one of these worth getting. And this one from SaverSystems can offer you both.
First of all, the unique formula that it utilizes creates a protective layer on the top. That layer is going to prevent damages that environmental elements generally cause, which means the deck's exterior looks are going to look like new for an extended amount of time, even if all of it is completely exposed to those elements.
Alongside that, it is compatible with almost all of the wood types. So whether your deck is of Cedar, Redwood, Pine, Fir, or any other wood, you will be able to use it on the exterior. But do note that the hardwood is going to need multiple coats and proper maintenance, unlike using a stain for softwoods.
Other than that, it does a proper job of sealing the pores on the surface. As a result, the surface would have a higher capability to resist water damages. That will eventually increase the lifespan and make sure that the durability does not deteriorate that quickly.
Lastly, the VOC content of the formula is lower than 50 g per liter. That lower amount of VOC makes this one of the environmental-friendly stains that is available in the market. You can also easily clean it off with soap and water because of that lower level of VOC.
Pros
Cons
2. DEFY Extreme Semi-Transparent
Even though there are plenty of stains available in the market, there are only a few that are as resistant to darkening and fading as this one from DEFY.
First of all, it sports a water-based formula that makes it environmentally-friendly. And because of the matte finish that it is capable of offering, it would be able to make the beauty of the grains come out. Your deck is going to look more attractive and welcoming after you apply this.
Aside from that, the formula is exceptionally durable. It is highly capable of resisting fading and darkening. That means the coat is going to last for a long amount of time. It is relatively easy to maintain too.
When you think that you need to do a maintenance coat, you will not have to scrape or sand the surface. You can just apply the new coat on top of the previous one.
Alongside that, Zinc nano-particles fortifies the formula. That will make it work as a sunscreen for the surface. As a result, your deck is going to be more resilient to sunlight and UV ray damages. Also, the nano-particles disperses into the pores evenly, which will prevent premature staining, graying, and loss of color.
The VOC amount of the formulation is exceptionally low. That low amount of VOC levels will make it compliant with almost all of the states.
Pros
Cons
3. Tall Earth Wood ECO-Safe Treatment
Worried that a part of the coating you apply on your deck will get washed away into the environment by rain and damage the plant and the animal lives in it? Well, then you should definitely check out what Tall Earth has to offer here.
Unlike some of the other treatments, this one is completely VOC-free. That means it will comply with the rules of all the states, including California.
Because of being entirely free of VOC, it is one of the most environmentally safe stains you will find in the market. It will not even irritate your skin, which will make it easier for you to maneuver it.
Aside from that, it features a powder-based formula. One of these packages can make about 3 gallons of treatment solution. That amount of solution is more than enough to cover 450 to 600 feet of surface area. You might not need more than one pack for the project that you are carrying.
Other than that, the application process is reasonably straightforward. It can cover pores reasonably well. You are not going to have to do any scraping or flaking before you coat the exterior with this.
Alongside that, the brown aged finish that it is capable of providing will make your deck look aesthetically pleasing. You will be able to rejuvenate the looks of your deck quickly using this.
Pros
Cons
4. Restore-A-Deck Stain Cedar
If you were on the search for a stain that has a hassle-free application process, then you should definitely put this one into your consideration list.
To begin with, it features a water-based formula. That enables it to achieve a simple application process. You would not have to prepare the surface that much before the application process. It will not require any scraping, nor will it require any flaking.
Aside from that application process, the formula is environmentally safe as well. It will not cause any damage to the plant and the animal life if it gets washed out in the rain. Also, you will be able to clean it up pretty easily. All you need to do is to scrub it with water and soap before it cures completely.
It creates a protective layer on the top that is capable of protecting the surface from UV and sunlight damages. Also, it is highly capable of resisting fading and greying, making sure that the exterior looks top-notch for an extended amount of time.
It can also inhibit the growth of bacteria, mildew, and molds. As a result, the lifespan of the wood is going to get enhanced substantially.
Because of the deep penetration capability that it has, it will be able to get deeper into the grains. That will let it gain a high resistance capability from wearing and tearing.
Pros
Cons
5. KILZ L832211 Exterior Stain
One of the important factors for the stains is to have the capability of offering long-lasting protection. And this one from KILLZ has nailed it in that regard.
First of all, the formula that it implements is 100 percent acrylic. That formulation makes it achieve a superior capability to offer long-lasting protection from sun, rain, and snow. In fact, the manufacturer claims that the protection that it can offer will last for at least three years.
Apart from that, it has a high waterproofing capability as well. As a result, the chance of mildew and mold growing on the surface will be reasonably low. And the semi-transparent finish that it provides will not ruin the overall color of the wood. Instead, it will further enhance it. On that note, if you're also interested in semi-transparent deck stains, check it out.
Because of how well it can waterproof the surface, you would not have to worry about water damage during the heavy rain seasons. It will also make sure that water does not accumulate that easily on the surface.
Other than that, it can provide high protection from the damages that sunlight and UV rays cause. Also, it comes in a one-gallon container that is more than enough to cover up to 250 square feet of surface area for the first coat. And for the second coat, you would be able to cover up to 500 square feet.
Pros
Cons
What to Look for Before Buying?
It is not that easy to get one of the well-performing stains. And only going through the reviews will not guarantee that you are going to one of those as well. For that, you will also have to keep these factors in your mind before making a purchase decision:
The Application Process
First and foremost, you need to consider the application process. Most of the stains will not require any prepping or scrapping. However, for some of them to bond well with the exterior, you might have to do some scrapping or flaking.
And those are the ones that we would recommend not to purchase. Instead, you should opt for the ones that are easy to apply.
Drying Period
Aside from the application process, you should also consider the time required for the formula to dry. The higher the time it will require, the longer you are going to have to wait to use your deck again after the application.
Even though most will dry up in just thirty minutes, there might be a few that might even take a whole day. And the ones that take a considerably long amount of time are the ones you should avoid.
Finish
Another thing that you need to consider before purchasing is the finish that it can offer. As you are mostly going to revitalize the looks of the wood, you need to put emphasis on this the most.
So you should opt for the one that can bring back the original color of the surface efficiently. Also, do make sure that it does not leave any yellowish tint on the surface, or else the deck is not going to look that good.
Protection
These do rejuvenate not only the outlooks of the wood but also offers plenty of protection. And the protections is another point that most looks for in the stains.
So if you were planning to enhance the overall lifespan of the deck, you should opt for the ones that do not only bring the colors back but also can offer some protection from environmental elements.
That being said, you should consider whether the one you are shooting for can offer protection from UV and sunlight or not because the deck will be exposed to those. If you want to learn more about the properties of exterior wood stains, check this link.
Water-Proofing
Lastly, you need to make sure that the coatings can offer a good amount of waterproofing. Without this, there would be a high possibility of molds and mildew growing on the surface over time. And those can deteriorate both the outlooks and the lifespan of the wood. So you need to factor in this point also.
How to Stain an Old Weathered Deck?
If you do not really know how to properly coat the deck, no matter how well-performing and how good of a stain you get, the results you will get will not be that praiseworthy. And the steps to properly coat the surface using these are as follows:
Step-1: Clean the Surface Properly
Even though most of the stains do not require any prepping, you will have to do one small preparation before the application, which is to clean the surface properly. First of all, you need to remove all the dirt, debris, leaves that are on top of the deck.
Then, you should use some cleaning solution and clean the surface thoroughly. That will make sure that there is no inlaid dust.
You can also use a pressure washer or a jet cleaner to carry out the cleaning process. That will probably give the best overall result, but if you do not really have one of those, a simple sponge and some elbow grease should do the job. Once you have cleaned it with the cleaning solution, you need to leave it for a while to dry.
Step-2: Apply the Stain
Now that the surface is clean and dry, you need to apply the stain on the exterior. Before applying the method of your preference, do check the instruction manual if there is any other way that the manufacturer is suggesting or not. Do even coats on the surface and make sure that you do not put too much formula on a surface.
Step-3: Let It Dry
After putting even coats of the formula on the surface, you need to let it dry properly. Make sure not to step on it before it dries up completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can stained decks get scratched?
Not all of the formulas are the same. Some are durable and long-lasting, while some are reasonably weak. And the ones that are durable and long-lasting will not get scratched that easily. However, the weaker ones can scratch pretty easily.
2. What safety components should I wear while staining my deck?
Most of the formulas that the manufacturers are going to use will be safe. They would have a low amount of VOC and will not irritate your skin if you do come in contact. However, it is always recommended to wear gloves and safety goggles.
3. Can I stain a newly installed deck?
Staining is usually done on the woods that have weathered and are generally old in age. If the deck that you have installed newly contains such kind of wood, then you can coat it with one of these.
4. Can I use bleach to clean my deck before applying the stain?
Using bleach on wood is not always a good idea. It tends to damage the surface. So we would recommend against it.
5. What type of cleaning solution should I use to clean the deck before the application of the stain?
It is always recommended to use a mild cleaning solution. No matter what the type of the wood is, the harsh ones can incur damages to the surface, which would not be that ideal.
Final Words
You do not always have to install new wood to make your deck look new again. Instead of spending that much money, you can easily regain the deck's new looks by using the best deck stain for weathered wood. And we hope that we were able to make it easier for you to choose one for carrying out your revitalizing project.
Oh! And if you're also looking to give your indoor furniturte a brand new look, have a peek here.