Deck finishes: Choosing the best

Deck finishes are an essential part of protecting the deck to extend its lifetime and good looks. The deck finish you choose can make a big difference to the final effect. In this article, we provide some information about different deck finishes to help you make that choice.

Clear sealers

If you want to have a shiny, well-protected deck but don’t want to tamper with the natural colour of the timber, a clear sealer is the choice for you. Some hardwoods, for example, can be more expensive than treated pine but offer a richness and natural beauty to the deck you don’t want to hide.

A clear sealer can be water-based or oil-based. Both types are designed to inhibit mould growth and prevent your timber from fading due to UV light exposure. They are easy to apply but will have to be re-applied every year or so as they don’t last that long.

Penetrating deck sealers and stains

This type of deck finish relies on the product soaking or penetrating through to the timber, creating a barrier to prevent dirt and moisture from getting into the wood. Decking oil is a common example. These penetrating deck finishes also need to be re-applied every year or so.

Semi-transparent sealers

A semi-transparent sealer will allow some of the grain and colour of natural timber to show through it, but it does have some pigments to protect against UV light damage. Deck finishes of this type are usually tinted sealers or stains that can add richness and depth to the colour of the timber. These are also easy to apply and last slightly longer than clear sealers; they need to be re-applied every two or three years.

Semi-solid deck stains

A semi-solid stain is an effective and longer-lasting way to protect decking from the wear and tear of foot traffic, weather and UV light. They contain more pigmentation and can give otherwise plain timber a deeper, richer colour. This makes them a popular finish for treated pine decks. The downside is that this type of deck finish covers up the natural beauty of some special timbers. Semi-solid deck stains can last four or five years, but when it comes to re-applying them, they must be stripped back properly to prepare the surface for the new coat.

For more info on choosing the right finish for your deck, it’s best to consult a decking specialist.