If you are looking to put the final touches on your deck but having a hard time figuring out what sealer to purchase, well don’t worry! You are not actually alone.

A deck sealer is not only an important part in your deck’s aesthetic appeal but as well as to its durability and environmental resistance. It is important to have your deck sealed to make sure the wood will not decompose or get damaged by heat or moisture and the mold will not accumulate.

The problem here is that there are so many types of deck sealers on the market, and the right choice for your deck may be unclear. But as I said, you don’t have to worry as I will make things easy for you. In this deck sealer review, I will be sharing with you some of the best deck sealers you can purchase today. Keep on reading below to find out what products made it to the list.

BEST DECK SEALER (may 2020) – TOP 5 PICKS & REVIEWS

best Deck Sealer – top 5 picks & reviews

1. Thompsons WaterSeal Advanced Natural Wood Protector

A gallon of this waterproof wood protector will absolutely keep all wooden surfaces protected since it is moisture, water, and UV resistant. And what’s even great is that it will only take one coat to make sure the precious wood on your deck is well protected at the same time allows your deck to show natural wood grain and quality.

This deck sealer is actually water-based, so cleaning it will be a breeze as it can be easily scrubbed away using soap. Unlike, conventional deck sealers, you don’t have to worry about any residue left behind, making it a great deck sealer for a mess-free finish.

Another thing I like about this product is that it is very easy to use. It will only take a day to apply this to your deck and can be applied to both damp and dry wood. You can just dump this on your deck using a paintbrush, clean it up with water and soap and way for two days to dry.

This is also a long-lasting product; it can last 1.5 to 2 years.

2. Ready Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer

What’s great about this sealer is that you no longer need a primer just to use it, it will work perfectly with your wooden deck as it is. To make it even more convenient, you can apply it using a brush, roller or sprayer.

Another thing I like about this sealer is that unlike some deck sealers that tend to be frustratingly sensitive to temperature during application, you will never have to face such issues when you’re using this stain and sealer. After the application, the sealer will provide protection to your wooden deck against water, mildew and UV rays.

That’s not all, this oil-based semi-transparent stain and sealer come in a wide range of colors, these are Dark Walnut, Golden Pine, Natural Cedar, Mahogany, Pecan, Redwood, Burnt Hickory, Mission Brown and Natural (Light Oak); you will have the freedom to choose your preferred colors. Plus, it will help improve the natural appearance of the wood without affective the wood grain and visibility of texture. This is the main reason why this product stand out from other sealers

3. Defy Extreme Wood Stain

Defy Extreme Wood Stain is a water-based semi-transparent wood stain that makes it possible for you to add some color to your deck at the same time allows the wood grain to show. It provides a natural-looking matte finish that will make your deck stand out in your backyard.

Plus, you can choose among the seven different colors: Butternut, Cedar Tone, Crystal Clear, Driftwood Gray, Light Walnut, Natural Pine and Redwood; you will definitely find something that will match your home’s exterior.

Though this deck stain belongs to the pricey side, the quality of its finish just makes it worth it especially that it features high-quality resins to make sure it will be more resistant to common wood stain problems like darkening and fading. This is also mold and mildew resistant and is very easy to maintain.

4. DeckWise Ipe Seal Hardwood End Grain Sealant

If you haven’t heard about Ipe yet, such as Cumaru, Tigerwood, and others, this what actually referred to as ‘exotic’ hardwoods by experts. Ipe actually comes from a flowering tree that grows in South and Central America.

Ipe Seal, on the other hand, is a wax-based sealer that is highly recommended by professionals to treat and finish Ipe wood as it is shown to increase the structural durability of a hardwood deck. It has been formulated to prevent and check drying splits in newly installed lumber, blanks, and logs. In addition to that, it can protect other exposed wood ending as well as face grain.

This deck sealer can actually form a bond to make sure your deck board will last longer than it should be. No wonder why it has been known to be the best protectants for deck’s end cuts. In fact, this product is most effective when you apply it to the wood within 24 hours of being cut since exotic hardwoods tend to break and crack at the ends as they dry out and the damage can happen really quick, usually just within the first hours after it is cut.

Anyway, one can of this product cover about 500 square feet of decking, this means that you don’t need a lot of sealers just to cover your entire deck. But take note that the coat might change the color of your deck, depending on its dryness as well as the species of the wood used to make your deck.

5. FLOOD CWF-UV Clear Wood Finish

If you are looking for an excellent all round oil based sealer, then look no further. Flood CWF-UV Clear Wood finish is definitely a great choice since it can restore and protect the natural color of the wood at the same time provide both UV and mildew protection. I also like its gorgeous matte finish that will not flake or crack.

Though it’s less watery than the first product, it can bed water better; thanks to its oil-based wax that creates solid coating over the wood and makes the water bead up much better than the most water-based solution.

Do you know that the water bead test is one of the best ways we can determine how well the deck is sealed? When the water rest on top of the wood, this means that it can’t penetrate into the wood, which may cause mildew to grow and decay. The only downside of this is that it can make your wood deck become a little slippery since the water stays bead up on your wood deck for hours or even days.

Anyway, this deck sealer is very easy to apply to and cleans up without difficulty using some soap and water. But take note you have to extra careful when applying this sealer and make sure you are making a nice even layer, or else you will give your deck a bit tint.

How To Choose The Best Deck Sealer

There are actually some factors you need to consider before you will get the best deck sealer for your outdoor projects. Keep on reading below as I briefly discuss some of it to give you a better idea about whether they will be able to perform the way you want it to be.

1. Type Deck Sealers

There are various types of deck sealers and all of them differ in composition, performance, functions and even the price. Here are some of the types of deck sealers so you can assess which one will be most suitable for your needs.

2. Color

You need to see to it if the color will pay off the way you want it to be. If you don’t want to add any color to your wood, then you may want to choose one of the clear sealers. If you want a bit of color payoffs, then semi-transparent stains will work the best. Finally, if you want to completely change the color, then choose solid stains.

3. Resistance

First of all, you’ll want your sealer to make your deck resistant to water, which is wood’s topmost enemy. This followed by mildew growth, which can, fortunately, be prevented by most deck sealers.

It would also be great if your choice of deck sealer prevents the damage due to UV rays.

4. Mode of application

Deck sealers also vary when it comes to its mode of application. Most sealers can be applied using a simple and sturdy brush. While others may require spray bottles or paint rollers.

5. Durability and Strength

The deck sealer’s quality will be dependent on these two factors. Make sure you choose a sealer that is strong and can last for a longer period of time or else you will find yourself needing more maintenance than you should be.

Final Thought

Using high-quality deck sealers is definitely a must to make sure your decks will stay in proper shape without compromising its durability. This will help your deck stay protected against the harmful UV rays, mildew, mold, and other damaging factors.

So, which among the products I mentioned above do you think would suit your needs best? Let me know in the comment section below.