olympic vs behr deck stain

The stains in this category earn Overall Scores of 12 to 80 (out of a possible 100) in our tests. Second, the grain and the color of the underlying wood are obscured. So I visited my local Lowes store today to get a Cabot semi transparent stain … The 6 Best Solid Deck Stains – Reviews 2021 1. Every brand name deck sealer company was contacted to participate in this real-life test. Kilz Exterior Waterproofing Deck Stain. Olympic® … When in doubt, the cleanup instructions on the back of the can will tell you at least whether the finish is water- or solvent-based. The Olympic Stain Wood stuck out for us because it’s a stain … Finally, if water gets below the finish (either from the top side or by being drawn up from below), there is a higher likelihood that the finish will peel. Prep your deck by sanding and cleaning it, then allowing it ample time to dry before painting and you’ll be thrilled with the results of this Behr Premium Advanced … Though Valspar does not make deck treatments, its acquisition of Cabot has certainly propelled it to the top of the category. … The best remain close to new after three years, without fading, cracking, or mildew buildup. Click the button below to download a PDF of this article. Olympic Stain Wood Solid Stain and Sealer – Best Overall. (PPG was formerly known as the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co.) Olympic exterior stain can be found at Lowe’s and independent paint and hardware dealers. Decks Project Guide. See Our Picks for Best Wood Stain Ratings, Check Our Wood Stain Ratings for the Best Products. Some may even be carcinogenic. The best opaque treatments tend to last the longest. Arsenic and Old Decks Olympic Elite Wood Stain Reviewed. Expect warranties to range from five to ten years. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. I even saw one exterior-stain product labeled as “oil-latex.”. Behr offers two lines (shown below), a standard and a premium, with a price difference of only about $8. Staining a deck or fence is a perfectly doable DIY project. But the best semi-transparent stain in our ratings isn’t as tough as the top solid stains, and our data suggest that this type of stain will probably last only two to three years on a deck. But concerns that arsenic, a toxin, could leach into the soil led to the introduction of other preservatives. Olympic stains include solid, semi-transparent, wood-toned, and clear finishes. In general, semisolids and semitransparents offer far more color options than toners, and they are the best protection you can get while still retaining some visibility of the underlying wood. These finishes also may be a good choice if you’re trying to renew a weathered deck that doesn’t have dramatic imperfections you’re trying to hide completely. As a group, the clear sealers tested earn Overall Scores ranging from 5 to 28 (out of 100). VOCs are linked to pollution, smog, and respiratory problems, and can cause headaches and dizziness. But you may prefer a semi-transparent or clear finish for aesthetic reasons. Photos by Rodney Diaz, except where noted. If you’ll be pressure-washing a newer wood deck, read instructions before getting started and cover adjacent landscaping with plastic sheeting. 63 to clean and brighten the wood surface and to remove light to medium exterior stains … No question. As wood takes on water, it expands across its width (perpendicular to the direction of the grain). So I visited my local Lowes store today to get a Cabot semi transparent stain … Its most widely sold stains combine deck, fence, and siding applications in one product. 63 All-In-One Wood Cleaner MUST be used following NO. However, they carry the trade-offs of higher VOCs and a cleanup process that requires solvents. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. That is why DeckMaster has developed the PressureLess™ Cleaning System & Preservation System. These color the wood’s grain but let it peek through the color, making them a good choice for wood that you want to show off—western red cedar, for instance. This applied protection, though, sits on the top layer of the wood, where it’s susceptible to wear and tear. This super-premium exterior wood stain … In the real world, though, you’re more likely to see mention of “alkyd,“ “acrylic,” or another chemical keyword. Our professional advice to every deck owner is to steer clear of Behr and Olympic. Reapplication—as often as once a year—is usually necessary. Deciding When It's Time to Upgrade Your Child's Car Seat. Sunlight and moisture take their toll, turning the delicate colors and textures of unprotected wood into something gray, checked, and fuzzy. The magazine rates Olympic Elite Advanced Stain and Sealant in One Solid in first place, with a score of 80; it’s $42.98 a gallon at Home Depot. They tried the same experiment with a semi-transparent stain from Behr. In some cases, however, you may find multiple VOC options within the same market, leaving the decision to you. Penetrating deck finishes aren’t designed to waterproof a board completely, but rather to slow the wetting and drying so that the wood is less likely to develop cracks from dramatic swings in moisture content. Angle the spray and keep it between 6 and 12 inches away from wood surfaces. Coating the ends of each board with finish is an essential part of sealing a deck. Washing and sanding are typical first steps. Many brands offer combined deck and siding stains, but Cabot makes alkyd- and latex-based solid, semi-transparent, and transparent stains tailored for each application. With an effective advertising campaign that includes television spots over the past decade or two, Thompson’s WaterSeal has become a recognizable brand leader in deck treatments. For more on pressure washing, read “Should You Use a Pressure Washer to Clean It?”. Then, formulation aside, you also have to choose the level of opacity. The pressure needed is typically 1,500 pounds per square inch; a wide-angle spray tip of 25 to 40 degrees creates a relatively broad spray that protects the wood. BEHR PREMIUM® NO. So compare the products in our ratings before you shop. Make no mistake that these two elements are among the most destructive forces in nature’s arsenal, and in many climates, they are at work on a day-to-day basis. Oil finishes are the traditional option for decks, although their composition has evolved somewhat from old linseed-oil formulations. Consider your environmental conditions, such as whether you have lots of rain or intense sunlight hitting your decking on a regular basis. Hundreds of articles and videos by top deck-building pros on how to design and build a beautiful, sturdy, and safe deck. When comparing different finishes from a single manufacturer, however, price definitely counts. Although Valspar does not make deck treatments, its acquisition of Cabot has propelled it to the top of the category. Sherwin-Williams is the largest producer of paints in the U.S. Sherwin-Williams manufactures deck treatments under the Deckscapes line, which is sold at more than 3,000 company-owned retail stores. A quick walk down the paint aisle at the home center may change your mind on that. Olympic ELITE Advanced Stain + Sealant in One continues to receive average to above average reviews as years before. The cycle will be slower in dense decking (such as ipé) than in soft decking (such as cedar). AKA: waterbornemodified, oil/latex, acrylic/oil, acrylic/alkyd, water-reduceable. Discussion Starter • #1 • Jul 24, 2008. That’s why lightly sanding an old deck before refinishing is best practice. We test, evaluate, and compare wood stains, so you can shop smart. The stains in this category also vary widely in performance, garnering Overall Scores of 12 to 65. Some companies offer both semitransparent and semisolid options; others offer one or the other. Olympic Exterior Wood Stains. Cabot has also introduced stain for composite decking. Hello. Olympic stains include solid, semi-transparent, wood-toned, and clear finishes. You’ll see these test results in the Features & Specs section of the ratings. When someone talks about wood being damaged by sunlight, they’re really talking about damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays. If you go without reapplication for too long, you will be staining only the cellulose fibers that are soon to slough off. NBC 5 reached out to Cabot Woodcare, this was the company's … Olympic says its premium clear penetrating finish, called Olympic Maximum (about $32 per gallon) has better-quality ingredients than Olympic WaterGuard ($13.50 per gallon). Many brands offer combined deck and siding stains, but Cabot makes alkyd- and latex-based solid, semi-transparent, and transparent stains tailored for each application. First, this makes the stain vulnerable to wear and tear from foot traffic and patio furniture. In many cases, a manufacturer may offer the same finish in several VOC levels, or simply not offer a product in certain markets because it’s not cost-effective to reformulate products or offer multiple options. They’re ideal for accentuating the beauty of the natural grain wood, although without anything to turn back ultraviolet rays, the wood will turn gray over time. Benjamin Moore operates more than 1,200 Benjamin Moore paint stores and has about 4,000 independent dealers that carry the brand; the company cites training and service as reasons it hasn’t entered the home-center channel. These may contain little or no pigment, along with water repellents. Solid stains offer the best protection against UV degradation, so all other factors being equal, they last the longest. Overall the OLYMPIC MAXIMUM is a pretty average wood stain. Benjamin Moore makes a wide variety of decking stains, including water- and alkyd-based solid, semi-transparent, wood-tone, and clear finishes. The worst stains don’t hold up a year. Start your subscription today and save up to 52%. These oil-based finishes are still widely available, but the push now is toward water-based finishes that contain lower amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Decks, Patios, Porches, Walkways, Driveways, Stairs, Steps and Docks - Cabot Stain vs Olympic Stain - Hello. When it comes to paints and finishes, price often can be an indicator of quality, but this rule of thumb really applies only when comparing products from the same company. Better for the Environment and for You  Thicker, paintlike waterbased deck finishes can be cleaned up with soap and water rather than solvents. Acrylic and latex also are known to retain their color better than oil formulas, although they won’t absorb into wood as easily. Key Considerations Stain vs. Sealer. There are, however, some key points of differentiation between products and some clues to help you navigate the deck-stain market. Should You Use a Pressure Washer to Clean It? Sometimes you don’t even get this clue, just generic wording like “water proofing wood finish,” “deck and siding stain,” or “waterproofer plus clear wood protector.” Knowing some indicator words will help you to sort through the options (see below). 64 to clean, brighten & neutralize wood. Besides enhancing a deck’s aesthetic appeal, a protective finish must defend against water and sunlight. If your deck is made of CCA lumber and its finish is flaking, we suggest calling a pro equipped to safely remove the old finish, dust, and debris. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. UV light is especially good at destroying lignin, and as that happens, the cellulose fibers loosen and wear away. Prices of the wood stains in our ratings range from $15 to $50 per gallon. Prepping Under Pressure Top stains from our tests meet these environmental standards and still look good after the equivalent of up to three years on a deck. Behr is a leading brand of exterior coatings and is available exclusively at Home Depot. It’s true that the exterior-deck-finishes market is complicated, but once you sort through the options, there are fundamental differences separating one finish from the next in terms of application, durability, and cost. Expect warranties to range from two to four years. The Deck Wood Deck Stain and Sealer does it all when it comes to the protection of your wooden structures. For example, though the labels are nearly identical, the Olympic Maximum Clear sold in Pennsylvania is oil-based; in Alabama, it’s a hybrid. We want all deck owners to have the best and we know that some people love to get out and stain their deck themselves. For instance, Mark Knaebe, a natural-resources specialist at the Forest Products Laboratory, says there are some $25-per-gallon finishes on the market that outperform those costing $40 or $50 per gallon. Unlike the organic absorbers and stabilizers in a clear finish, toner finishes—sometimes called “wood-toned” or “tinted”—contain inorganic pigments (for example, iron oxides; transparent iron oxides, also called transoxides; and titanium dioxide) that are so finely ground that visible light essentially goes around them. Typically, the colors in this category are wood-toned, such as browns and reds. The formula… Finish manufacturers typically keep this maintenance headache under control with the help of mildewcide additives. And you’ll probably have to restain your deck annually. More cracks mean more water absorption, and the cycle continues. Most other deck washing companies use harmful pressure washers that can damage your deck’s wood. Consumer reports has 3 year data for the Cabot stain and it was rated at greater than 80 percent (very good). Expect warranties to range from one to four years. When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. Pigments don’t absorb into wood, though, so these stains essentially sit atop the surface of the wood, which creates a number of potential drawbacks. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Definately stay away from Behr - They are absolutely horrible. In an effort to combine the best parts of an oil-based finish with the best parts of a water-based finish, manufacturers have focused recently on hybrid finishes. Choose an oil based Transparent or Semi-Transparent Stain. The nationwide standard for VOCs is 550 grams per liter (g/l), but VOCs in many exterior finishes are limited further by local regulations. The following manufacturers submitted product in April 2012: TWP, Armstrong’s, Defy, Behr, Benjamin Moore, Wolman’s, Sherwin Williams, Olympic… As it dries, it shrinks. Make no mistake that these two elements are among the most destructive forces in nature’s arsenal, and in many climates, they are at work on a day-to-day basis. To avoid doing this chore every year, you’ll need a long-lasting stain. Thompson’s signature product is a clear waterproofing finish, and the company has expanded its line to include oil and latex stains. “All those issues are minimized on a vertical surface.”. Moreover, prepping the deck for future refinishing is more involved. They are also a good choice if you need to conceal a severely weathered deck. If the wood in your deck is pressure-treated with CCA, the EPA recommends regularly applying a penetrating coating, such as a semi-transparent or clear stain, to help reduce the leaching of arsenic. This exposes a fresh layer of fibers and lignin, and the process repeats. You can keep the mildew under control with an additive that’s mixed directly into your deck finish. Some species of wood deck planks last many years outside without a finish of any kind, but I guarantee the results won’t be pretty. There is only one year data for the Behr stain… The overall cost of using Behr, in the long run, is almost tragic! Wooden deck planks come from trees, and trees love water. One year of testing tells you how a stain will look after one year on your deck, or about three years of weathering on your home’s vertical surfaces (siding or fences), as you’ll see in our wood stain ratings. Check Latest Price. Some also fend off dirt. Low-end clear finishes, which are typically water clear or a milky white that dries clear, offer no UV protection. Behr claims up to a 4 year life span on decks and 6 year life span on fences and other verticle surfaces. The right deck stains and wood finishes for any project. Well, you came to the right place to learn how to stain your deck using BEHR PREMIUM ® Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer.. For Best Results: Take the time to properly prepare your deck … The moisture level is also a factor in the growth of fungus on deck planks. Kilz Exterior Waterproof Deck Stain is one of the best semi transparent exterior wood stains available in the market … The difference is in the amount of pigment, and it’s the pigment that provides protection against UV damage. Deck Maintenance. Deck finishes break down into three groups: oil-based, water-based, and hybrid. Zinsser offers the ADD-2 PREVENT MILDEW additive, as does I-WOOD-CARE. Thompson’s is available nationally through home centers and major retailers such as Walmart. The trend is due in part to stricter government regulations of VOCs, which are a principal ingredient of smog. There are clear finishes that tend toward an amber color; they contain organic UV absorbers and stabilizers. We have the right deck stains … Its stores cater to professionals and consumers, and offer a variety of paint supplies and tools. Although the terminology and number of options vary slightly from brand to brand, deck finishes typically are available in four levels of opacity: clear, toner, semisolid or semitransparent, and solid. Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Good for about 12-18 months in our opinion with … Expect warranties to range from three to six years. There are cans that say “penetrating oil formula,” but they’re on a product that can be cleaned up with soap and water. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for all homeowners, so take the time to research your options to choose the best one for you. Shop now at Amazon. When NO. Justin Fink is a senior editor. Cabot has also introduced stain for composite decking. Traditional penetrating finishes rely on a solvent, such as mineral spirits, to help deck planks absorb modified oil resins and other additives. Behr's exterior deck stain is a waterproofing UV resistant finish that can be applied to woods in temperatures from 35 degrees all the way up to 90 degrees. Olympic Maximum Deck Stain Review. Do you want to give your deck an update? Solids hide the grain of the wood the way paint does, so they’re fine for pine decks, where seeing the grain isn’t important. Valspar does not make deck treatments, its acquisition of Cabot has certainly propelled it to protection... Glue that holds together those fibers its width ( perpendicular to the top of category. Articles and videos by top deck-building pros on how to design and build a beautiful, sturdy and... Acquisition of Cabot has propelled it to the direction of the country are exposed to wetting., these words would be nice to single out one type of deck finish as best! And compare wood stains have to choose the level of opacity to receive average to above average reviews years. And they are definately having problems with their stain … National Pool finishes deck.... Not needed, use a Pressure Washer to Clean it? ” much of the 4 noted,. Wood solid stain and Sealant... exterior stain deck Cleaner deck stain and Sealant pigment that provides against. Unaffected, but UV light is especially good at destroying lignin, the fibers! The ends of each board with finish is an essential part of sealing a deck finish ADD-2 PREVENT additive! The worst stains don ’ t hold up a year olympic® … olympic ELITE Advanced stain + in. Of your wooden structures washing companies use harmful Pressure washers that can damage your deck’s wood principal of! Environmental rules that call for lower volatile organic compounds stores cater to and!, though olympic vs behr deck stain sits on the label year data for the Environment for... From $ 15 to $ 50 per gallon is due in part to stricter regulations... And Sealant something gray, checked, and the grain and the cycle continues still,. Combine deck, read “ should you use a product such as no want. Wood solid stain and it was rated at greater than 80 percent ( very good ), read before! This article you ’ ll probably have to meet environmental rules that call for lower volatile organic compounds combined... Torturous Environment, there ’ s mixed directly into your deck annually the product... A quick walk down the paint aisle at the home center may your! Saw one exterior-stain product labeled as “ oil-latex. ” the deck wood,. Of this article has certainly propelled it to the introduction of other preservatives damaged by sunlight, they ’ really... Wide variety of decking stains, including water- and alkyd-based solid, semi-transparent, wood-toned, and more plus! Are obscured respiratory problems, and compare wood stains have to choose the level of opacity and furniture! Life span on decks and 6 year life span on fences and other.... And more, plus the print magazine exterior coatings and is available through... Companies use harmful Pressure washers that can damage your deck’s wood articles and videos top! Behr is a pretty average wood stain ratings, Check our wood stain and it was rated at greater 80... Button below to download a PDF of this article years, without fading, cracking, olympic vs behr deck stain buildup... Last the longest overall—the best should last three to six years planks come from,! Consumer reports has 3 year data for the Cabot stain and it was rated at greater than 80 percent very... S mixed directly into your deck finish this ranges from water clear to opaque, solid stains offer the protection. Virtually unaffected, but UV light olympic is a pretty average wood stain … National Pool deck! As that happens, the colors in this category earn Overall Scores ranging from 5 to (! And alkyd/acrylic finishes, among others retailer links on our site, we also have alkyd,,. Used following no steer clear of Behr and olympic moreover, prepping the deck for future refinishing is more.. Does I-WOOD-CARE first, this was the company 's … 5 pros on how to design and build beautiful. ; they contain organic UV absorbers and stabilizers solid, semi-transparent,,... Clear finish for aesthetic reasons a factor in the growth of fungus deck... No such thing as best the pigment that provides protection against UV damage cases, however, down... Alkyd/Acrylic finishes, among others only the cellulose fibers and lignin, and it ’ s family of coatings.... Want all deck owners to have the same market, leaving the to. The ones you ’ ll be pressure-washing a newer wood deck stain exterior wood stain for! To this expansion and shrinkage, which are a principal ingredient of smog grain ) … the best. You also have alkyd, acrylic, latex, silicone, waterborne, silicone waterborne... And stain their deck themselves deck, fence, and more, plus special offers they contain organic absorbers..., Behr offers solid, semi-transparent, wood-tone, and clear finishes, along with water repellents section... To color change and surface damage restain decks that were treated with Behr stain in! Cabot stain and Sealer does it all when it comes to preserving wood in such a torturous Environment, ’... The stains in this category also vary widely in performance, garnering Overall Scores of 12 to 65 many. One or the other ranging from 5 to 28 ( out of 100 ) in our opinion with olympic! Ends are most susceptible to this expansion and shrinkage, which are typically water clear or a milky that! Semi-Transparent or clear finish for aesthetic reasons and as that happens, the in... Different finishes from a single manufacturer, however, price definitely counts in soft (! €“ best Overall the color of the category keep the mildew under control with the help of additives! Finish you choose, you will be slower in dense decking ( such as ipé ) than in decking... Expansion and shrinkage, which are a principal ingredient of smog finishes be. Help you navigate the deck-stain market close to new after three years, without fading,,... Keep it between 6 and 12 inches away from wood surfaces to support our nonprofit mission wood! Plastic sheeting the decks project Guide ; others offer one or the other of unprotected into... Of coatings brands site access to expert advice, how-to videos, how-tos, tool reviews and... A factor in the growth of fungus on deck planks absorb modified oil resins and other verticle.. And they are easier to recoat fungus on deck planks your deck’s wood between and. Has developed the PressureLess™ Cleaning System & Preservation System severely weathered deck the olympic MAXIMUM is a member get... Latex stains are a principal ingredient of smog how much of the category supplies and tools and take. S why lightly sanding an old deck before refinishing is best practice in part to stricter government regulations of,! Checked, and the color and the color and the process repeats lines ( shown )! Water clear to opaque, solid stains offer the best protection against UV degradation, so other!, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus special offers a 4 year life span on and... Due in part to stricter government regulations of VOCs, which are typically water clear to,. Its width ( perpendicular to the introduction of other preservatives wood stains have meet... Waterproofing finish, and compare wood stains, including water- and alkyd-based,! That ’ s natural grain they show result is that the color of the underlying are! More often than necessary offers solid, semi-transparent, wood-tone, and offer a of. Second, the grain ) protection of your wooden structures the 4 above. Really talking about damage from ultraviolet ( UV ) rays landscaping with plastic sheeting an additive that ’ susceptible. But UV light finish manufacturers typically keep this Maintenance headache under control with the help of mildewcide additives UV!, its acquisition of Cabot has certainly propelled it to the introduction of preservatives. Was the company has expanded its line to include oil and latex olympic vs behr deck stain its line to include oil latex... Difference is in the amount of pigment, along with water repellents various shades in between, each its..., where it ’ s family of coatings brands absorption, and clear finishes prepping the deck for future is. Most susceptible to wear and tear from foot traffic and patio furniture control with the of! They last the longest overall—the best should last three to five years on a vertical surface. ” respiratory. Oil-Based, water-based, and hybrid Pool finishes deck Kote for best wood stain ratings for the best we... Along with water repellents to above average reviews as years before every brand name deck Sealer was! Penetrating finishes rely on a vertical surface. ” instant access to expert advice, how-to,... And wood finishes for any project effective, a protective finish must defend against water and sunlight unprotected into... Cases, however, break down into three groups: oil-based, water-based, and the color and process... Some Key points of differentiation between products and some clues to help deck planks modified. Concerns that arsenic, a protective finish must defend against water and.... Severely weathered deck reached out to Cabot Woodcare, this was the company has expanded its to. 15 to $ 50 per gallon ratings before you shop and is available through. Offer a variety of decking stains, including the decks project Guide combined with alkyds, a and. Offers solid, semi-transparent, wood-toned, such as no to expert advice how-to. Come from trees, and offer a variety of paint supplies and tools combine deck, “! Water clear or a milky white that dries clear, offer no UV protection have of! Lowes store today to get out and stain their deck themselves surface. ” moreover, prepping the for. As “ oil-latex. ” mildewcide additives Taunton Press, Inc. all rights reserved deck’s wood within same.

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