Some deck stains protect better than others
»Play Video
If you need to stain the deck and have managed to put if off so far, now is the time to get going before the rain returns.
Consumer Reports tested dozens of deck stains, and it turns out some offer much better protection.
Here's the deal: maintain your deck with a good stain, or you'll pay the consequences, says contractor Steve Bradsell.
"You'll spend more in the long run to replace the boards that have gotten damaged," he said.
Up on the roof at Consumer Reports headquarters in New York, they run tough tests on deck stains to see how well they hold up. The stained panels were kept out for years in all kinds of weather. Some are solid stains that look the most like paint. Others are semi-transparent. And the clear sealers show the most wood grain.
"Clear sealers need the most maintenance. Even the best need to be reapplied every year," said Bradsell.
Consumer Reports compared a recently-stained wood panel with one that's been outside for more than a year. The older one had lost its color, and cracks had started to form.
Other panels were left out in the shade to see how well they resist dirt and mildew. Again, the clear sealers did the worst. One panel ended up completely covered with mildew.
"Semi-transparent stains do better," said Bob Markovich of Consumer Reports. "They generally need to be redone every two years. Solid stains last longest. Most last at least three years."
One by Behr was by far the longest-lasting. The solid color deck, fence and siding wood stain from the Home Depot still looks pretty good even after three years.
More information is available online.
Consumer Reports tested dozens of deck stains, and it turns out some offer much better protection.
Here's the deal: maintain your deck with a good stain, or you'll pay the consequences, says contractor Steve Bradsell.
"You'll spend more in the long run to replace the boards that have gotten damaged," he said.
Up on the roof at Consumer Reports headquarters in New York, they run tough tests on deck stains to see how well they hold up. The stained panels were kept out for years in all kinds of weather. Some are solid stains that look the most like paint. Others are semi-transparent. And the clear sealers show the most wood grain.
"Clear sealers need the most maintenance. Even the best need to be reapplied every year," said Bradsell.
Consumer Reports compared a recently-stained wood panel with one that's been outside for more than a year. The older one had lost its color, and cracks had started to form.
Other panels were left out in the shade to see how well they resist dirt and mildew. Again, the clear sealers did the worst. One panel ended up completely covered with mildew.
"Semi-transparent stains do better," said Bob Markovich of Consumer Reports. "They generally need to be redone every two years. Solid stains last longest. Most last at least three years."
One by Behr was by far the longest-lasting. The solid color deck, fence and siding wood stain from the Home Depot still looks pretty good even after three years.
More information is available online.
