Hello guys! Have you ever heard about deck sealers?
Recently, some customers have complained about their ruined wooden deck because of weather, mildew, rotting, and more.
That’s why we are here today to show you guys the top-rated deck sealers known as an ideal solution for that problem. If you are getting into that trouble, then follow us right now to discover more!
Top 5 Best Deck Sealers For Your Needs
Top 5 Best Deck Sealers 2019
| Models | Size | Coverage Area (sq. ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Starbrite Premium Golden Teak Oil 85100 | 1 gal | ~400 |
| Tall Earth TEESWT1G | 1 gal | 150-200 |
| Ready Seal Natural Cedar 512 | 5 gal | ~500 |
| Thompsons WaterSeal TH.A21711-16 | 1 gal | 150-200 |
| Olympic Stain 79551 | 1 gal | 250-350 |
1. Starbrite Premium Golden Teak Oil 85100
Editor Rating: The first candidate in our list is Starbrite Premium Golden Teak Oil, which is the best pick for hardwood patio and marine teak furnishings.
Unlike many other teak oil formulas out there, their Starbrite’s product works very well. It can offer the best durable color to your teak wood furniture.
The company also makes use of premium natural oils. The extremely refined oils contain molecular-weight polymers which can resist the damage of weather or saltwater.
There are also advanced additives that help to protect your wood from UV rays. As a result, you will have an excellent treatment for better protection as well as wood surfaces’ beauty.
Plus, while other types have faded after a few months after exposure to the weather, you’ll find that this product can maintain a golden honey-tone glow well.
However, for the best results, we suggest you should re-apply this natural-oil based sealer every six months.
Although the price tag is a bit premium, you will get an equivalent premium value.
Pros
- Long-lasting protection
- Being simple to use and fast drying
- Containing ultraviolet absorbers
- Enhancing the natural wood color
- Offering a professional-grade finish
Cons
- The premium price
This premium-quality sealer is suitable for various types of woods, marine teak, outdoor wood furniture, or decks.
2. Tall Earth TEESWT1G
Editor Rating: Coming in second is Tall Earth TEESWT1G which is user-friendly, VOCs free, and non-toxic.
Notably, while some deck sealers need careful preparation work before application, this eco-safe treatment does not require that step. For easy use, you only need a sprayer, roller, brush, and sponge.
When being applied, it will penetrate your wood and leave a durable aged brown or silver finish along with an elegant sheen. So, if you enjoy an artificially-aged look, don’t miss this product!
Moreover, it will help to prevent molds or wet and dry rot. Thanks to naturally-sourced ingredients, it won’t leave harmful residues in water and soil, too.
We also like its easily cleaned up and fast-drying ability after application by using water. The protection which is up to 5 years even makes it more valuable.
We find it inconvenient for covering large areas. So, if you need a product for your larger surface, take notice of this feature!
Pros
- An easy application for penetrating wood forever
- Natural materials
- The safe formulation for using around pets or children
- Being budget-friendly
- Being available in 1, 3 or 5-gallon variants
Cons
- Being not ideal for large areas.
This natural, eco-friendly product is best for both outdoor and indoor projects, including furniture, decks, siding, fences, marine applications, and more.
3. Ready Seal Natural Cedar 512
Editor Rating: Now, let’s move on to Ready Seal 512! This oil-based, semi-transparent wood sealer also impresses us with materials that can preserve and protect wood furniture.
Those right ingredients include algaecide, paraffin oil, trans-oxide pigments, and great-quality resins. They will combine to form an exclusive blend which is good at making wood projects fresh-looking.
Besides, your wood exteriors will get the right tone with wood grain shown through while keeping their original texture.
Not only that but its formulation is also tough on mold, mildew, algae, and can prevent your wood from the sun’s damaging UV rays.
With a one-off process, you can even apply this product using a traditional brush, sprayer, or roller. This feature makes it an ideal option when your deck has many difficult-to-reach areas and intricate details.
One downside here is that it may deliver a bit strong odor when you use it for the first time.
Pros
- Being able to be applied wet-on-wet without lapping
- Being available in different colors
- Enhancing the good’s natural beauty
- Easy and smooth application
- Being ready to be used in the most temperature range
Cons
- Strong odor at the first time of use
Ready Seal will be ideal for your decks, arbors, fences, log cabins, exterior projects, natural-wood products, and more.
4. NorthStar Single-Stage 20-gallon Oil-lubricated Air Compressor
Editor Rating: In this list, we also want to introduce you to an excellent moisture-resistant product from Thompson’s manufacturer.
Specially formulated for wood, this advanced protector offers optimal protection together with a coating that can resist UV damage and mildew. This benefit will let your wood maintain the natural color well.
What’s else?
This water-based protector also gives your woodwork a long-lasting and waterproof coating, which helps fight against harmful UV damage, fading, and mildew.
There’s one more good news! This maximum-strength deck sealer can last up to 2 years although it only takes one coat to protect your deck. Thompson also guarantees their customers’ satisfaction as well.
The only inconvenience of this sealer is that it is not ideal for interior but exterior use. Keep this in mind when shopping!
Pros
- Being suitable for damp and dry wood
- Easy clean up with water and soap
- Advanced protection
- Low VOC finish
- Little odor during application
Cons
- Leaving a bit slippery surface
This deck sealer works well with dry or damp and new or pressure-treated wood with similar ease.
5. Olympic Stain 79551
Editor Rating: The final candidate in today’s list is the Olympic Stain 79551. Our America’s trusted brand is well-known for its perfect exterior wood stain.
We love this brand’s type since it provides maximum coating against UV rays, scuffs, mildew, and water damage.
We also call it a perfect ”2-in-1” formula because it is a stain and sealer combination that works well on exterior vertical and horizontal surfaces. It lets you stain whenever you want, and leaves excellent results.
Furthermore, its waterproofing and UV defense will condition wood fibers and ensure the long-lasting natural beauty of the wood.
So, if you are a fan of Olympic and need a robust coating for your decks, go for this semi-transparent product right now!
For application, this product needs two coats, so you had better double the purchased gallons.
Pros
- Exceptional durability and protection
- Coming with a weather-ready application
- Stains and discoloring prevention
- Long guarantee: eight years for fences and siding, six years for decks
- Excellent Scuff Guard technology
Cons
- Required two coats
This Olympic’s product will be best for your decks, siding, fences, wooden structures, and furniture.
When Should You Seal Your Deck?
Now you may wonder when is suitable for sealing your deck. Indeed, the best time for you to perform deck sealing is the spring, summer, and fall. The weather in these seasons is ideal for almost all places.
In this case, there are also some points you should pay attention to:
- For clearer sealer, the wood surface as well as air temperature should be more than 50°F throughout the application and drying process.
- For stain, that surface, as well as air temperature, must be from 50°F to 95°F during the mentioned process.
- There must be no rain for 24 hours or more after finishing the application
- You must dry your deck surface for 48 hours before starting the application
To check whether the deck is protected or not, you can conduct a simple test. Let’s splatter some water drops onto its surface and wait some minutes. If the water beads up and remains atop that surface, your deck is still okay.
In case the water soaks deep into your wood, it may be a sign of wood twisting, splitting, or rotting. Don’t forget to check more carefully by performing that test in some other areas of the deck!
Should You Seal Your Deck After Power Washing?
Do you know that power washing is among the most effective methods to make a wood deck clear?
When washing, you should use deck detergent to saturate the deck first. Then, you wait for at least 15 minutes and start power washing later. Be sure to follow the directions for your power washing tool.
So, is it possible to seal the deck right after power washing?
After finishing that power washing work, let your deck dry completely to ensure the deep sealer penetration.
Let’s wait for around 24 hours before applying deck sealers. In the case of cold or humid weather, you should wait for at least 48 hours.
How to Seal a Deck
Now, it’s time for sealing your deck! Here are simple instructions you may follow to finish your task:
Step 1: Cover the Areas
First, you use plastic sheeting or tarp to cover the grass, plants, and other vegetation around your deck.
Don’t forget to cover walls, windows, and other surfaces below or near your deck. This task will help to protect all of them from the deck sealer.
Step 2: Prepare for Cleaning
Second, sweep your deck to remove the dust, dirt, and debris. Then, stir or shake the wood cleaner, following the direction of the manufacturer. Later, add the cleanser to your sprayer.
Step 3: Wash the Deck Railings
Use the garden sprayer above to spray a small area of deck railings. Remember to wash small places at the same time so that you may rinse and scrub your deck before the cleaner dries.
Then, let the wood cleaner sit for around 10 minutes, or as directed. Next, scrub the deck railings by using a scrub brush. Then, use a hosepipe to spray the areas with clean water. Let’s repeat those steps for the rest!
Step 4: Wash the Deck Boards
Now, let’s use the same methods in step 3 and apply for about 15 square feet of deck boards each time. Be sure to make your deck dry for around 48 hours.
Step 5: Inspect the Fasteners
Check your whole deck to find out raised or loose nails and screws, and drive new ones below the wood surface by using a hammer and drill.
Don’t forget to use sandpaper or sharp knife to remove splinters and other hazards. During the drying time after cleaning, you can wipe away all of sanding dust as well.
Step 6: Seal the Railings
You should follow the product directions to apply the sealer to your deck railings. Here, a paintbrush will be ideal for tight spots and corners, while a paint pad will work on larger faces of railings.
You can also take advantages of a sprayer to apply a sealer. Let’s apply an even sealer coating to surfaces, performing small areas, and keeping wet edges. After finishing, check one more time, and wipe up the excess with a clean rag.
Step 7: Seal the Deck Boards
Finally, you can apply the sealer to your deck boards by using similar ways in step 3. You will need some applicator such as a paint roller, paint pad, paintbrush, and garden sprayer.
Start your job from the deck’s far corner to the exit point. Then, keep the sealer dry for at least 48 hours before using that deck. This period also depends on your product and conditions.
More: Best Stain Blocking Primer
How Long does Deck Sealer Last?
It depends on the effect of sunlight as well as some precipitation elements. Some individual decks also need yearly maintenance.
So, the deck sealer’s color should be dark enough to prevent sun damage. Plus, that deck sealer product should let your wood fully dry when it gets wet. If so, an ordinary deck sealer may last up to four years.
However, if there are continuing issues with that deck sealer’s coating, you had better inspect and replace your deck boards if needed.
How Often do You Need to Seal Your Deck?
This case also depends on the surrounding conditions, the deck use, and the finishing product.
For instance, some wood types in direct sunlight may dry out and fade while other types in humid places may grow fungus spores.
Those issues require your care bi-annually or annually. Overall, most deck sealers should be renewed every one to three years.
Conclusion
Those are the best deck sealers in the recent market and some related aspects related to deck sealing.
Hopefully, the detailed reviews above will assist you guys in selecting a proper deck sealer for your wood projects. Don’t forget to share this post broadly! See you in the next one!
Peter Levick
ArchitectI am a licensed architect who is passionate about all things home improvement industries, I have been doing DIY painting projects and have developed lots of experience around home improvement over the 10 years.
