What kind of wood finish should I use on my deck?

When it comes to staining your deck, choosing the right wood stain color is only half the battle. It is extremely important to understand what type of wood finish you want your deck to have before you just pick a stain colour and begin prepping to stain. Depending on the type of finish you choose, your wood will either be visible along with the colour you choose or the colour will appear opaque, almost like an exterior paint. Use this quick primer to understand what each type of wood finish can do for your wood.

Clear Sealants

Clear sealants are a great wood stain choice for homeowners that really want their wood grain to be visible and are not really looking to add much colour to the appearance of their deck. Clear sealants merely seal and coat the wood allowing its natural beauty to shine through. 

Toner Wood Stains

Toners are similar to clear sealants in that they allow the grain of the wood to show through, however they also add a touch of colour that can really change the appearance of your deck. A toner wood stain is a good choice if you are unhappy with the original colour of your decking material but still want the aesthetic of the wood grain on the surface.

Semi-Transparent Stains

Semi-transparent wood finishes really make a jump into the realm of colour compared to toners and clear sealants. They provide great protection for your wood, but allow you to change the appearance of your deck drastically depending on the tone of colour you choose. With so many different shades available semi-transparent stains are great for homeowners who want to display the quality of their wood but also love color.

Solid Wood Stains

Solid wood stains are perfect for homeowners that may not love the quality or appearance of the wood they have used to build their deck, but want a fresh colorful appearance that is inviting and appealing and adds a lot of curb appeal. Solid wood stains can make an older deck appear refreshed and are great for decks that receive a lot of foot traffic or really give a brilliant colour to a wooden home's exterior.



Now that you know the type of finish you want for your deck it is important to pick the right wood stain product. Luckily you've come to the right place. Click the link below for our wide variety of wood stain finishes and transparencies.