Deck Stains and Finishes

Much to be said on Deck Stains and Finishes, typically two forms of deck stains I'll mention. Either Semi-Transparent or Solid Body. Both have their pros and cons. However, if maintained in either case, both will protect and last for your outside enjoyment.
Semi-Trans allows the beauty of the wood grain to show through, and typically oil based, however many come in a Greener type, water based. Both equally good in today's research. Semi-Trans will never peel, crack, and flake, but tends to dry out more quickly, until you have several coats applied over the years. Most good oil stains have a Linseed Oil base, and ones that have the most, tend to be the best in protection; Such as Super Deck, sold by Kwal-Howell. Ones to stay away as far as you can is Thompsons Water Seal, with little to no protection values. I've personally seen decks that had Thompsons applied 3 months before, looked like barn wood.
Solid Body Deck Stains are exactly what they do, having 50% stain, and 50% paint body or mill left on top. Very durable, and long lasting, it covers up the wood grain, as a paint would. Benefits include not having to power wash so extensively before product is applied. It covers up wood imprefections very well, making a "Like new" finish. Another benefit is, when it's time, never having to power wash before additional coats, except only to lightly rinse off, getting dirt and debris off.
Solid Body Stains, once used is very difficult to go back to Sem-Trans, as every bit of SBDS has to be removed. Think about it. Semi-Trans does not cover, and you would see every bit of SBS if not removed, if left under a Semi-Trans.
There is one more type, leaving last to mention, that is the best in the industry, which I personally have on mine now, having expereinced both others over the years. It is called Translucent. Even having the best still requires some maintaince, as nothing will last forever, especially horizontal surfaces such as decks and handrails. I must say that after two coats of Sikken's Deck Stain, the following applications took very little coating, making it simply exquistite and extraordinaire. When explaining to customers what Sikken's is like, I refer to Baby Grand Pianos attached to the exterior. A deep luxurious finish as if a laquer finish was put over stain. This Translucent makes for a slick finish that during snow falls, the snow cannot grab, therefore can easily be pushed off the deck floor, adding to the longevity and durability, as snow is any stains worst enemy. After several years and several additional coats, this stain makes the deck surface bullet proof so to speak, as Creosotes would do. Creosotes for those not familiar are products applied to telephone poles. Sikken's only comes in a limited number of color choices (I think 15-20) as it cannot be tinted to an exact match as the two mentioned above, but if can use it, it's well worth the extra effort. Sikkens also is about 3-4 times the cost of typcial deck stains, but as additional coats are applied, cost drops below 50% of other deck stain applications. Reason for this is Sikkens has to be brushed on. Not back-rolled, nor sprayed, as others can be, it must be worked into wood with several brush strokes on every square inch of surface. Once applied, second and subsequent coats require less product. I just re-coated my deck last summer, having two prior coats of Sikkens before. My deck has appox. 500 square feet of surface, and third application only took 1/2 gallon!!!
Having extensive knowledge of deck finishes, we at Eco Paint Specialist's can bring your deck back to life, protecting from the climates and elements for years to come.
Cal Phillips/Eco Paint Specialist's/303.591.4978