There are water based stains and oil based stains that come in clear or natural, Semi-transparent and Solid Body or Opaque colors. Water based stains clean up with soap and water and oil based stains are generally cleaned up with mineral spirits. You will have to re-stain your deck every two to four years if using oil base stain. Water based stain requires re-stain every seven to eight years. Additionally, water based stains dry quicker.

Additives to Stains

There are components added to stain to enhance the UV protection and to protect your deck from mildew. Check the label for these properties. If you live in a damp climate or particularly sunny climate you will want to take these properties into consideration. Look for a penetrating stain and not a stain that is just a surface coat. The opaque or solid body stains are not quite as penetrating as the lighter stains. However, the opaque stains come in a much wider variety of colors.

Environmental Considerations

There is a VOC designation on oil based stain that stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. These VOC designations must comply with environmental standards that differ from state to state in the USA so if you are ordering on-line be sure it has a rating that is compliant with your state. There are now oil base stains on the market that have zero VOC’s

Special Purpose Stains

For pressure treated wood you will want a stain specifically labeled for pressure treated wood. There are specialty oil stains for hardwoods like Teak and Mahogany and a Marine grade stain for boats and docks.

Sealants, Wood Protector and Water Repellent

These products are clear coats applied to the top of the deck and are generally not penetrating products but rather surface applications. They come in a variety of gloss to matte finishes. With a little annual maintenance and attention to the condition of your wood your deck should last for many years.