Best Overall
Defy Extreme Semi-Transparent Wood Stain
Runner-Up
Olympic Maximum Wood Stain & Sealant
Best Bang for the Buck
Storm System Semi-Transparent Stain & Sealer
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Outdoor wood furniture and structures look with child when they ’re mark new ; however , using exterior wood stains will protect them from the event of the sun , rain , snow , and air current for class to come . We test 10 exterior wood stains , applying them to various wood coinage and subjecting them to foot traffic and wet weather to uncover the top performer .
The best exterior wood stains will protect your wood structures , siding , or furniture while also achieving your idealistic colour and transparency . Our favorite product is theDefy Extreme Semi - Transparent Wood Stain , which produce beautiful ample colouring material , is soft to apply , and supply slew of protection from the elements . Keep read to discover the quality you ’ll want to turn over when shopping for the honorable exterior wood stains and watch about our top recommendations .
How We Tested the Best Exterior Wood Stains
Our master focus when testing the best exterior wood stains was to determine how well they grace instinctive forest while also protecting it from wet and weary and tear . We also considered comfort of app and monetary value .
We tested each exterior stain on three types of wood : pine lumber , premium - grade pine tree for last carpentry , and poplar . After allow eachstain to dryfor the amount of meter direct by the producer , we tested the enduringness by walking over and dragging patio piece of furniture across each wood sample . We also spray each sample with water to specify which wood stains repulse or absorbed the moisture .
Finally , we mark each grunge based on a title that included points for comfort of practical software , appearance , strength , and note value . Once testing was complete , we used these scores to rank the tested products .
Our Top Picks
With a spot of background on the topic , pick out outdoor stains for Ellen Price Wood does n’t have to be complicated . Our top picks include some of the best product on the market to make it even easier . shopper will want to keep in psyche gene like intended use , spot character , and favourite transparence and color when compare these alternative to choose the dear exterior wood stains for any app .
Our Ratings : Application5/5 ; Appearance5/5 ; Durability4.5/5 ; Value4/5
Of all the stains we tested , Defy Extreme semitransparent wood stain deliver the most well - round off performance . This filth has a slightly thicker consistence than other semitransparent grease we tested , which made it easy to apply without having to care about run or drips . And since it dried rapidly , we were able to apply a second coating after just a few hours . Defy Extreme grow a deep , beautiful finish that accentuated the natural grains in all three types of wood we tested it on with no seeable brushstrokes or streaks .
We also loved the durability of this wood grunge . True to the name , Defy Extreme resisted our attempts to distinguish it up with a pair of shoe and heavy alloy patio furniture . It also was among the best against moisture , with body of water beading up on the wood aerofoil during our spray mental test . This water - based stain cleans up easy with scoop and water , and it turn back the same zinc found in sunscreen to reflect the sun ’s harmful rays before they can damage the wood .
Defy Extreme is only available in six deck stain colour — cedar look , raw pine , light walnut , butternut , redwood , and gray — which can make it a challenge to couple your home ’s gloss scheme . However , return its superior performance and relaxation of use , Defy Extreme is our top pick for the good all - around exterior wood stain if the limited color options beseem your need .
Get the Defy exterior woodwind instrument stain atAmazon .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Our Ratings : Application3.7/5 ; Appearance5/5 ; Durability4.5/5 ; Value4.5/5
Olympic yield some of the best solution of any of the stain we try . With a thickheaded consistence like to a paint or solid deck of cards filth , Olympic Maximum Grant Wood grime and sealant was soft to apply and limited the amount of run or drips . It also produced a fertile , beautiful finish spare of streaks or brushstrokes . While our Canyon Brown trial run color was filmy , it cover more like a semitransparent stain , leave the Natalie Wood grain very visible .
This brave grime deflected our estimable efforts to mar the finish , a testament to its scuff - guard technology . It also treat our nebulizer test well with water supply beading up on the surface . Since this formula boast ultraviolet ( UV)-blocking applied science , it ’s also fade - tolerant . Olympic Maximum is oil colour - base , so while it has a longer wry time of around 24 hours , surface are pelting ready in just 8 hours . It ’s available in 10 wood - quality colors that can be tinted to create over 100 quality .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Olympian Maximum Grant Wood stain and sealant certainly requires more work and patience during the software process , but the beautiful and durable finish cause it deserving the additional movement .
Get the Olympic exterior Grant Wood grunge atAmazon , Tractor Supply Co. , orThe Home Depot .
Our Ratings : Application3/5 ; Appearance4/5 ; Durability3.5/5 ; Value5/5
Photo: Amazon
When it add up to getting as much economic value from a gallon of stain as possible , this semitransparent stain and sealer from Storm System fits the throwaway . The budget - friendly monetary value tag end aside , 1 congius of this stain can cover up to 175 square metrical unit of smooth - surfacedeckspace , fencing , or siding — as well as several pieces of outdoor article of furniture — with multiple coats .
Storm System filth is an crude - base formula , which made use it during our testing more of a job . We found ourselves spending an inordinate amount of time stirring the stain to ensure all the paint that had settled to the bottom of the can mixed with the binder and finishing agent . Once we finally had it mixed to our satisfaction , the stigma applied well and created a beautiful , even cake over all three of our wood types . Due to the rock oil - based formula , Storm System stain has a long dry clip of 24 hours between coats , which extend our program time importantly over the piss - based stains we test .
While this stain pass our mule tests , we were let down with its water opposition . When we spray our woods sample , water did not bead off the wood as we would have a bun in the oven with an crude oil - based smear , raising concerns about its foresighted - condition ability to resist the elements . That said , given the coverage , affordable price , and beautiful finish , this is a good option for shoppers count for a budget - price brand who do n’t mind the scuffle of using an crude oil - found formula .
Photo: Amazon
Get the Storm System exterior Mrs. Henry Wood stain atAmazon .
Best for Decks
Ready Seal Wood Stain and Sealer
Our valuation : Application4/5 ; Appearance5/5 ; Durability4/5 ; Value3.5/5
Between lap marks and brushstrokes , staining a large deck of cards can be a hassle . With Ready Seal semitransparent filth and sealer , that ’s not an issuance thanks to its “ Goof Proof ” formula design to easily attain a high - quality , run - free finish . And while “ Goof Proof ” may sound gimmicky , this Sir Henry Joseph Wood brand truly works . We applied Ready Seal stain with a introductory brushing and had no problem achieving an even coat , even without using back brushing or other exceptional brush techniques .
The finished results were impressive . This exterior grunge bring forth beautiful colors while still allow enough texture to show through to preserve the wood ’s lifelike look . The crude - base formula does require a degree of forbearance , as it can take at least 48 hours to fully dry . However , Ready Seal stain creates a durable shell once wry . During our testing , it resisted our best efforts to drag the wood samples , and weewee beaded up nicely on the Earth’s surface .
Photo: Amazon
While the results are deserving the time lag , metre is n’t the only thing this stain will cost you . Ready Seal Mrs. Henry Wood stain is high-priced at nearly twice the cost of some other smear we tested . Still , if you ’re seek superior performance and would like to extend the meter until your next resealing effort , then it may be worth the special effort and investiture .
Get the Ready Seal exterior wood stain atAmazon , Lowe’s(5 gallons),Ace Hardware , orThe Home Depot .
Best Easy-to-Apply
SaverSystems #1 Deck Premium Wood Stain
Our Ratings : Application5/5 ; Appearance5/5 ; Durability3.5/5 ; Value4.5/5
Protecting exterior wood surface like decks , siding , furniture , and fences does n’t get much easier than with SaverSystems # 1 Deck Premium semitransparent wood brand . Of all the stains we test , few applied as easily as this choice . It produced an even coat with no repugnance or brushstrokes on any of our three wood types . And since we could apply the second coat in just 30 minutes , we were able to work promptly . Savers Systems stain is also piss - based and uses a pattern that ’s down in the mouth in explosive organic compounds ( VOCs ) , so it had a very meek scent and was easy to clean up .
While we liked the ease of diligence and killing , we did have some fear about durability . This stain passed our scuff examination with flying colors , but H2O did n’t bead up on the surface during our spray test as well as it did with other discoloration we tested — an denotation that this stain may not last as long as other product . Additionally , SaverSystems woodwind stain only add up in four color option , which can be problematic if you ’re trying to align your pack of cards , fence , or outdoor piece of furniture with your household color .
Photo: Amazon
One gallon of this wood filth will cover up to 150 straight feet with two coats , which is about average . For shoppers looking for an easy - to - apply deck of cards stain who do n’t mind more frequent reapplication , SaverSystems stain is a great option .
Get the SaverSystems exterior wood stigma atAmazon .
Best Low-VOC
Vermont Natural Coatings PolyWhey Exterior Stain
Our valuation : Application3.4/5 ; Appearance4/5 ; Durability4/5 ; Value3/5
Vermont Natural Coatings exterior stain separates itself from other stains and sealers with its natural low - VOC recipe . This outdoor wood blot habituate whey protein , which is a renewable imagination , as a binder . The formula penetrates the wood to create even color and sport awaterprooflayer that protects woodwind from moisture and ultraviolet radiation rays .
While we liked the rude formula of this soil , it was one of the more challenging options to apply . It has a waterlike consistence , which take up well into unfinished Sir Henry Wood to make a barrier but also makes it arduous to invalidate drips and runs . This sparse consistency also require us to tote up more stain to get a richer destination . While this was n’t a slew - breaker , it does make this wood stain more high-priced compared to some of the other stains we tested .
Photo: Amazon
We should also take note that Vermont Natural Coatings wood grease can take about 48 hour to fully dry , so monitor the weather forecast is cardinal before app . It did provide dependable water resistance during our spray trial and also deflected scuffs and scratches well . We also liked the 14 colour selection , which let in hues you do n’t typically see in a deck of cards stain , like super C . If you ’re serious about using a product that has minimum impact on the environment and are willing to spend more for it , this exterior Natalie Wood stain is an excellent option .
Get the Vermont Natural Coatings exterior wood stain atAmazon .
Best Water-Resistant
Thompson’s WaterSeal Transparent Wood Sealer
Our evaluation : Application4/5 ; Appearance2.5/5 ; Durability4.5/5 ; Value4/5
Thompson ’s WaterSeal is renowned for its power to jib water , and it inhabit up to that reputation during our testing : Water bead up and danced off during our spray exam . However , while we make love this feature of Thompson ’s WaterSeal , we had some complaint about the coating and the colour .
We like that we could apply this product to damp wood . But while Thompson ’s WaterSeal goes on easy , it left visible thicket home run and some splotch where the color was inconsistent . We also were n’t happy with the color . We tested the cedar semblance , which did n’t match the swatch on the can and seemed to have more of an orangish tincture . This may only be an issue with the cedar color and not the other four color options .
Photo: Amazon
Thompson ’s WaterSeal is very low-cost at about half the price of some of the exchange premium stains we tested . If you ’re on a budget , look for excellent water opposition , and do n’t mind some color fluctuation , then this product offers good quality at a tremendous economic value .
Get the Thompson ’s exterior Sir Henry Wood smear atAmazon .
Best Coverage
Behr Premium Waterproofing Stain & Sealer
Our Ratings : Application4/5 ; Appearance3.5/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value4/5
While most other grime offer up maximal reportage of around 150 square feet per gal , Behr Premium waterproof stain and sealer offers twice that amount . One gal can provide up to 300 substantial feet of coverage on the first coat and as much as 600 straight feet on the 2nd coat . Note that Behr commend two thin coats for best results .
We test the Padre Brown color , which is one of the darkest of the semitransparent stains that Behr offer . While we like the rankness of the color , we were less thrilled with how well it showed brushstrokes , especially on the higher - quality poplar and premium pine instrument panel we used for examination . Although this is n’t a worry if you ’re using a sprayer or curler , it can be a good deal - breaker for items requiring a brush , such as out-of-door piece of furniture .
Photo: Amazon
In terminus of durability , Behr performed well . It hand both our scuff trial and our spray quiz easily . This is a grunge that we have a bun in the oven will adjudge up very well to the factor . Behr is a high - quality exterior woodwind instrument stain and offer great time value given its first-class reporting , provide you use a curler or nebuliser and annul a brush whenever possible .
Get the Behr Premium exterior wood stain atThe Home Depot .
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing an Exterior Wood Stain
Before you choose an exterior wood stigma , study a few key factors to narrow the hunting process . This section explains the most important point to keep in judgement while hunting for the effective mark for the job at helping hand .
Intended Use
First , how shoppers mean to use the stain will have a luck to do with choosing the most appropriate alternative . Any outside wood surface , whether it be afence , a chair , a pack of cards , or siding , ask an exterior - grade stain . These stains help oneself preserve the wood in rougher environment , whereas midland - level mark wo n’t provide the same protection .
Also , some stains are better for use on deck than others . Since deck are flat , they ’re more susceptible to stand up water and the sun ’s bake ultraviolet radiation rays than other outdoor Mrs. Henry Wood surfaces . The foot traffic is also a worry . For this program program , a penetrate discoloration is often the good bet .
Outdoor piece of furniture oft features Sir Henry Wood with attractive grain patterns . For this reason , a crystal clear stain would protect the woodwind without blocking out the grain .
Photo: The Home Depot
Stain Type
outside wood stain arrive in a few types : piddle - based or acrylic , oil color - base , and a intercrossed alternative . These names refer to the liquid state that the manufacturer apply to mix the paint and protective particles .
Penetrating vs. Film-Forming Stain
Exterior grease will protect forest aerofoil in unlike ways . For case , some products penetrate the wood texture , while other products produce a barrier , or moving picture , to protect the wood . There are pro and bunco to each method acting .
Transparency
Not only do the best exterior wood grunge come in a miscellanea of colors with motley degrees of insight , but they are also available in different transparency .
Color
Many of the good exterior wood stains come in different colouring , allowing exploiter to choose whichever hue sound fits their aesthetic . Keep in mind , however , that there may be other reasons to select a particular color .
When choose a pack of cards soil , retrieve that a deck will bake in the sun all day . Darker colors will draw a hatful of heating , but they are easy on the eyes than a lighter color . light color mull more sunlight , which can make them more uncomfortable to look at during the day , but they often keep the pack of cards surface much cooler than darker colours .
Likewise , a lighter color dirt for a fencing will brighten a backyard , while a darker stain might make a one thousand feel cozier .
FAQs
Now that you roll in the hay a bit more about the best exterior wood stain and how to fix the right one for your position , you might have some additional questions . This section contain some of the most frequently asked questions and their corresponding response .
Yes , exterior - grade woods spot will protect wood outside . These stains protect against moisture and UV rays .
home stain simply alter the color of wood . They do n’t tender much protection . Exterior wood stain protect against UV rays and moisture .
It ’s better to first polish off any free paint or finish with a scraper or by sanding . Then , pressure - washing the surface followed by another speedy sanding will discharge the wood of any additional contaminants . Once the Earth’s surface is dry ( unless the chosen product specifies otherwise ) , it ’s good to stain it .
Apply exterior wood stain with a brushing , a roller , or a nebuliser , using fundamentally the same process as painting:—Avoid lap fall guy by maintaining a wet edge.—Avoid pooling or running.—Work in one humble area at a time .
Outdoor stain is normally a better choice for exterior Natalie Wood due to its superior power to offer weather protection . Stain fall into place the wood fibers , creating a better protective barrier than paint , which merely sits on the wood ’s Earth’s surface . If you require to mask the woodwind grain completely , consider a square stain that will tender better protection than paint .
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a freelancer writer specialise in home improvement , landscaping , technology , home security , and figure . His article have been featured on such sites as Angi , Popular Science , Futurism , 360 Reviews by U.S. News & World Report , Domino , and more . Carrick has conducted strict product testing on everything from power dick to home security systems to backyard grills . With each recap , his goal is to help readers determine whether a product meets their motivation and if it is or is n’t worth its price tatter .
extra research provide by Tom Scalisi .
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