Which deck stains last the longest?

Deck staining is a preventative protection for your deck to prevent rotting. Homeowners stain their decks to protect them from moisture. The tough weather of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota can damage property easily, between hail, snow, or rain. 

Deck staining can prevent the wood from cracking and causing splinters in your feet or hands when you finally get to enjoy the summer heat outside on the deck. 

Deck stains also waterproof the surface to prevent water intrusion, which leads to mold, algae, and rotting.

As stated in a previous EcoWash blog,  there are clear and transparent stains. These deck stains are unpigmented and simply gloss over and spruce up the deck. A great part about transparent deck stains is that they can boost the natural color of the wood while providing some protection from UV rays.

If the natural color is not as important to you, there are also tinted stains. The semi-transparent stains add an extra layer while still letting the undertones of the wood shine through. Semi-solid deck stains are more pigmented than a semi-transparent stain, but still allow for the wood color and texture to be seen. These provide even more protection from UV rays due to the extra pigment.

If you’re interested in covering the entirety of the wood, solid stains will be more your speed. The solid deck stain almost adds a paint-like finish, completely masking the wood. Solid stains provide maximum protection from the UV rays as well, and can cover up any prior stains. 

Another commonly asked question about deck staining is: which type of deck stain lasts the longest? 

The correct answer is that solid stains usually last the longest. A typical lifespan for a solid deck stain is about 5-10 years if all goes to plan. Transparent stains on the other hand usually only last 1-3 years. Weather and other damage can lessen the lifetime of everything. If a deck is very old, expect considerably less lifetime for any type of stain.

If you are looking for help with a deck staining project, please reach out to EcoWash today.