If the wood in your deck is pressure-treated with CCA, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends regularly applying a penetrating coating, such as a semi-transparent or clear stain ...

But you may prefer a semi-transparent or clear finish for aesthetic reasons. Solid wood stains: Just like regular paint, solid stains hide the grain of the wood. With the longest life of the three ...

Unlock to see our ratings and compare products side by side The Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck Clear Sealer is part of the Wood Stains test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Wood Stains ...

Professionals go to great lengths to sand the bare wood until it resembles glass. You want the wood as smooth as possible before applying stain. This sanding is also a requirement for the final clear ...

you may need to steer clear of trendy choices and err on the side of timeless looks. At the end of the day, your eyes are your best tools. “Start by trying [stains] out in samples on similar scrap ...