Is staining and sealing a deck the same?

Sealant will sometimes have pigment that will color the wood when applied, but stain will always have pigment. Additionally, the levels of protection vary between the two products. Stain offers little to no moisture protection, while sealant offers tremendous moisture protection.

Is it better to stain or water seal a deck?

The advantage of this, they say, is the sealer provides additional protection against water and weather damage, while the stain helps reduce fading from UV rays. Sealers should last at least a year, with some lasting up to three years.

Is deck stain the same as sealer?

Unlike sealers, stains penetrate into the wood. Like the name suggests, a wood stain contains pigments that physically change the wood's color. This gives the wood protection against harmful UV rays. Stains also have the same beneficial water-repelling qualities.

Should you stain or seal wood?

To properly answer your question of “Do you have to seal stained wood?”, the answer is no. However, if you want to protect your wood and give it a polished finish, it's smart to do so. It's worth taking the extra steps and applying a wood stain sealer.

Is sealant and stain the same?

DON'T confuse paint, stain, and sealant.

Sealant, stain, and paint can all be applied to a deck for different degrees of protection. Sealants are primarily used to protect against moisture damage. They contain waterproof or water-repellant properties and have a thicker viscosity than stains.

Deck Stain vs Seal

Can I seal my deck without staining?

Applying a transparent finish to the deck helps to protect it from the elements, and allows the wood to resist stains and dirt from setting in. It is highly unlikely that the deck will rot, splinter or decay if you choose not to have it finished and you can always choose to stain and protect the deck at a later date.

Do I need to seal my deck after staining?

To protect your deck from both moisture and sun damage, you need to first stain it, then follow that with a clear sealant. You can now find modern products that combine stain and sealant to make complete deck protection a one-step application process, after the necessary prep work.

Which comes first stain or sealer?

The order which you apply stains and sealants varies on what you're currently working with. For the best performance, we recommend stain first, seal second, and apply Advance Topcoat third. This will provide the best protection of your home.

Is sealing a deck necessary?

Yes, to preserve the natural look of your wood deck and keep it safe, you need to apply a sealant.

Should I stain or seal my pressure treated deck?

Although treated wood is protected against decay and termite attack, the application of a water-repellent sealer to all exposed wood surfaces is recommended upon completion of construction. This sealer will help control surface checking (splitting or cracking) and provide an attractive appearance.

Do you need a sealer after stain wood?

Apply Sealant as Needed

Applying a topcoat sealer is not required, but a finish protects the stained wood from scratches and keeps it from fading over time. If applying a polyurethane finish with a brush, apply one to two coats.

When should I stain and seal my deck?

The best time to stain your deck is either the spring or the fall. If you stain your deck in the summer, make sure you do it out of the direct sunlight. Applying a deck stain in direct sun will cause the stain to dry to quickly and can result in premature stain failure.

Should I pressure wash my deck before I seal it?

Pressure washing is the best way to prepare your deck for sealing. After you've pressure washed your deck, you'll need to wait for it to completely dry. Sometimes, this can take as long as 48-hours. Once it's dry, you'll want to sand your deck lightly.

What time of year should you stain a deck?

Because you want to wait for days that aren't excessively hot or humid, the best times to apply deck stains are in the late spring and early fall, when the weather is moderately warm and dry. Check the weather and find a time when it's not expected to rain for two days before and following the deck treatment.

Should I pressure wash my deck before staining?

There is a common misconception that just pressure washing a deck prior to staining is all you need to do in order to prep your deck for stain. Pressure washing can help, but if you want your stain to last, using a good deck cleaner and brightener on the deck prior to pressure washing will provide you the best result.

How soon can you seal after staining?

Wait 24 hours before applying sealant. Oil-based wood stains have some advantages over water-based stains. If chemical fumes are not a concern, an oil base may be the right wood stain choice.

How long after staining can I seal?

How long do you need to wait before sealing wood after staining? For best results, wait at least 24 hours before sealing the wood. If you are concerned the stain isn't quite dry enough, wait another day before applying poly.

Can you seal after staining?

Most stains should be sealed to prevent bleeding. After smoothing the stained wood, apply a sealer coat of thinned shellac, sanding sealer, or other appropriate sealer. Do not use shellac with NGR or water-base stains. If you plan to finish the piece with polyurethane, make sure the sealer is compatible.

Should I water seal after staining?

You do NOT want to seal wood that is wet or tacky in any way. I like to wait 24-48 hours to let the stain dry before sealing. If it it very cold, hot, or humid, wait up to 72 hours.

How do you seal and stain a deck?

What are the disadvantages of stain?

The Cons of Staining Wood

While some stains can last up to five years, postponing re-staining a wood surface for too long can cause the job to become more complex and labour intensive. Even decks that are stripped and re-stained will still require maintenance every couple of years.

Can you stain over deck sealer?

If the deck has a protective finish, the stain won't adhere, and the finish will need to be removed prior to staining. As for the color, let the stain dry completely before assessing if the color matches your expectations.

Should I seal the underside of my deck?

If you stain the underside of your deck you create a barrier to moisture; however, this can actually trap moisture into your boards and cause them to rot at an alarming rate. This is because when you stain the underside of your deck, water can still get in from the nail or screw heads on the surface.

How many coats of stain do you put on a deck?

We always recommend two coats of stain for any wood project, but you should only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb. Extremely dense hardwoods may only be able to absorb one coat of wood stain. The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much as the wood can absorb.