7 Best Deck Sealers for Pressure Treated Wood- Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Image of wood painted with one of the best deck sealers for pressure treated wood

The pressure treatment of wood is arguably the very first step in the protection of wood against rot. It involves the infusion of chemicals into the wood pores; these chemicals can repel both insects and other microorganisms. Other protective measures like the use of the best deck sealers for pressure treated would help enhance the protection of the wood.

The process of pressure treatment involves putting wood planks in a depressurized holding tank followed by the removal of all the air. Chemical preservatives are then infused into the tank; the wood sucks up these chemicals which in turn fill the air vacuum.

In a bid to help you further enhance the protection of your wooden structures, we have tested and list some of the very best deck sealers for pressure treated wood.

Our List of the Best Deck Sealers for Pressure Treated Wood

     1. Ready Seal 515 5-Gallon Pail Pecan Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer

We have listed this product on top of our best deck sealers for pressure treated wood because of its exceptional qualities. When you buy this ready seal product, you get both a stain and sealant in one place. We have gone with the pecan colored one even though there are so many colors for you to pick.

You must clean the surface of the wood before applying this particular product. Cleaning helps with the removal of all mildew, dust, dirt, oil, as well as grease. You can remove the persistent paints by the use of paint strippers to ensure that the surface is totally clean. This sealer takes about 48-72 hours to dry. 

Note, this stain is darker when wet but brightens up as it dries.

The Summary of Top Features

  • It requires no primer and is dark when first applied but brightens up in the next 14 days of drying.
  • You can apply this product using a sprayer, roller or brush
  • This product does not require a wet-line application as the formula can blend itself.
  • You can apply it in any temperature range
  • It does not require diluting or thinning to spray.

Advantages

  • It’s both a stain and a sealer
  • Ready for application
  • Applicable in any temperature
  • It’s biodegradable
Check Latest Price

 

     2. Thompson’s Water Seal 041851-16 Transparent Stain, Cedar

The Thompsons Waterseal 041851-16 is another product that is among the best deck sealers for pressure treated wood. It comes with a natural cedar stain and is a product of an advanced anti-fading polymer. Among its unusual features includes the presence of UV light protection with exceptional lifetime performance.

This formula is among the few that can be applied to damp wood. You need to clean the wood so that it’s ready to receive the sealer.

We advise that you conduct a water test on the wood before using this formula. The beading of water means you must not apply this product; absorption means apply.

A single coat of this product does the job well. Its drying time varies depending on how damp the wood is, weather conditions play a role as well.

Watch a video below on the amount of stain you need for Thompson’s sealers:

The Summary of Top Features

  • It prevents damages by water
  • Presence of advanced polymers help resist color fading
  • It can resist mildew as well as UV Damage
  • Applies to Freshly Cleaned Damp or Dry Wood

Advantages

  • A water-resistant product
  • Works well on both wet and dry wood
  • Has UV protection
  • A single coat is enough

Disadvantages

  • Some users complained of the product thickness inhibiting usage on a pump sprayer
Check Latest Price

 

     3#1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Deck Stain

This product is simply amazing and remains one of the best deck sealers for pressure treated wood. It gives a top of the class semi-transparent stain conception that can penetrate so deep into the wood for protection.

It’s both a stain and a sealant that works so well for pressure treated wood like pine. Besides, offers wood protection against the dangerous UltraViolet rays. 

It’s water-based with low-Volatile Organic Compound components hence easy clean up. 

You can use this product for almost all softwood such as fir, redwood, cedar, fir, and pressure treated pine. 

The Summary of Top Features

  • Protects wood from dangerous UV rays
  • It’s both a deck stain and deck sealer for your wood
  • Low VOCs (<50 g/L) – Water-based, easy cleanup
  • For use on all softwood types including pressure treated pine, cedar, fir or redwood

Advantages

  • It’s both a stain and sealer 
  • Comes with protection against Ultraviolet rays from the sun
  • Exists in 4 beautiful semi-transparent finishes – Cedar, Natural, Dark Walnut, & White Walnut
  • Works well in all softwood types
  • This stain is water-based with easy cleanup
  • Contains a low volatile organic compound
  • Dries flat with a natural-looking finish

Disadvantages

  • Other users think that its water-resistant capabilities are not reliable. 
Check Latest Price

 

     4. Ready Seal 505 5-Gallon Pail Light Oak Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer

The Ready Seal 505 formula is one of the variants of the 515 stains and sealant in one. It’s one of the best deck sealers for pressure treated wood, this one, in particular, is light oak; however, there are many other colors that you can choose.

This formula is available in a 5-gallon can and is ready for application straight from the shop.

Just with all the other sealers, before starting to apply this product, ensure that you clean the surface of the wood to remove mildew, dust, dirt, oil, and grease. You can remove tough stains, and paints using paint strippers the allow the wood to dry for 72 hours before applying this sealer.

Note: Protect all the vegetation around you to prevent spattering from coming in to contact with them during the application.

This product is dark when wet but clears with time as it dries.

The Summary of Top Features

  • It contains no linseed oil; therefore, it will not stain hands.
  • It’s a biodegradable product
  • The product has flexibility in spraying as you can apply it using a sprayer, roller or brush
  • It does not require a wet-line application because the product can blend itself 
  • You can apply it in any temperature range for proper application.
  • It does not require thinning or diluting to spray applications

Advantages

  • It does not leave stains on the hands
  • You can apply it in any temperature making it a great all-weather application formula
  • Ready to use straight from the shop

Disadvantages

  • This sealer does NOT work for IPE deck wood
Check Latest Price

 

     5. Rainguard 1 Gal Homeowner Wet Look High Gloss Masonry & Wood Acrylic Sealer

Do you know what makes this formula one of the best deck sealers for pressure treated wood? Well, it’s the Silane-Siloxane Waterproof Coating present as one of its components. This compound protects your deck from water for up to half a decade. 

The proprietary blend of Silanes and Siloxane is mixed in a Micro-Lok. It does excellent in ensuring that the mechanical bond between the chemicals and the wood retains its integrity under UV light, scorching temperatures, extreme rain, and windy conditions.

It comes with an area of coverage that ranges between 150-200 square feet per gallon in horizontal usage and approximately 125-150 square feet per gallon vertically.

The Summary of Top Features

  • It penetrates deep into the wood
  • Inhibits the growth of mold and mildew
  • It’s a stain-resistant product
  • Make a perfect winterizing agent
  • Apply in cold weather of up to 40°F
  • Easy cleaning after application with the use of soap and water
  • Has low VOC and low odor

Advantages

  • It’s a waterproof product
  • Offers a lasting protection
  • Comes with UV protection
  • Easy to clean

Disadvantages

  • Complains of it drying into a milky white finish
Check Latest Price

 

     6. Minwax 630510444 Water Based Helmsman Spar Urethane

This wood sealer, the Minwax water-based sealer, is among the best deck sealers for pressure treated wood out there. It can offer a bright protective finish. 

This product protects the wood from warping that results from the changes in temperature.

When applying this product, it’s more convenient to use sprayers in place of a roller or brush. Even though they do not offer much control during application, sprayers make the project a lot easier and quicker to finish.

Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane comes with an exceptional thickness that is in between water and warm syrup, making the application comfortable.

The Summary of Top Features

  •  It comes with protection against UV rays
  •  This formula has a bright finish, which makes it the best fit for light-colored wood.
  •  It dries quickly following its application.
  •  Easy to clean using warm water.

Advantages

  • It takes a short time to dry.
  • Has UV protection

Disadvantages

  • Some of the users have complained of slight yellowing of the wood following the application.
  • It’s a bit expensive.
Check Latest Price

 

7. Thompsons Water Seal A21741 1-Gallon Rustic Red Advanced Tinted Wood Protector

Are you looking for the best deck sealers for pressure treated wood? Well, try out Thompson’s A21741. It is a rustic red color stain and sealant. This product comes with extensive coverage of up to 150-400 square feet per gallon.

Always ensure that you do the application on a dry and clean surface allow your wood to dry before you can apply it following cleaning. You must not mix this product with any other like a thinner. Also, ensure that you shake the container properly for the formula to mix well before you can start the application.

It is quite easy to apply this product with just a single application enough to get the job done. If you desire a deeper color, then you can add another coat. The drying time varies depending on the prevailing atmospheric conditions.

The Summary of Top Features

  • It’s a waterproofing formula
  • It works wonders on decks, fences, outdoor furniture, and exterior wood
  • A single coat will give you maximum strength waterproofer
  • It comes with advanced protection against water damage
  • Exceptional, durable beading and waterproofing

Advantages

  • Both stain and sealer
  • A single coat does the work right
  • It’s a waterproof product

Disadvantages

  • Needs recoating for deeper color

Best Deck Sealers For Pressure Treated Wood Buyer’s Guide

What Is a Deck Sealer?

Deck sealers are so many in the markets with each performing a different role.

Deck sealers are sealers or stains that offer your structures such as wooden tables, picnic tables, fences and floors protection against water and harmful UV rays. Most of the sealers will likely seep into the wood surface or form a transparent layer over the wood to prevent any potential damage.

Types of Wood Sealers

There are many sealers with each different performing functionalities due to different compositions.

Some of these types include:

Clear Sealers: These sealers have no pigments at all or contain minimal amounts of pigmentation.

Wood Toner: Wood toners do the same roles as clear sealers; however, they have a little extra color. 

Solid Stains: Usually, these types are opaque. They are best for woods whose qualities are not very good, and you’d love to make them attractive.

Factors To Consider Before Shopping for The Best Deck Sealers for Pressure Treated Wood

There are factors that you must consider for you to get it right when shopping for these products for your different wood projects.

Color

You have to get it right when it comes to the coloring of your decks. If you don’t want a colored wooden structure, then you can opt for the clear sealers or the semi-transparent ones.

Resistance

When you are shopping for the best deck sealer pressure treated wood, you need to determine the level of resistance you will get. It’s very beneficial to have a deck that can offer protection against sunlight and moisture.

Area of Application

Be aware of the quality of your wood before settling for a sealer; sealers work differently on different surfaces. For instance, some sealers work well on new wood, some on old and worn out wooden surfaces.

Method of Application

How do you intend to apply your wood sealer? This question will help you decide the sealer you buy for your different ways of application from options like paint rollers, paintbrushes or spray bottles. 

Strength and Durability

These two factors determine the quality of a wood sealer that you buy. Not all sealers are strong and durable as their counterparts. Therefore, always try and settle for a sealer that will serve you wood for as long as possible. Such sealers will save you time and cost of repainting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between deck staining and sealing?

In sealing, there’s the formation of a transparent film on the surface that is a bright deck staining, on the other hand, includes a pigmentation to the wood.

What is the best deck sealer?

The question on the best deck sealer depends on the type of wood that you are looking to seal. Clear sealers, for example, are best for newly build deck with very high quality of wood materials. You can as well choose to use the semi-transparent wood stains which help to show the natural beauty of the wood grain.

How much sealer do I need?

Again, this also depends on the size of your project. Mostly these sealers are available in 1-gallon containers with each having the ability to cover averagely 200-300 square feet depending on the thickness of the layers.

How long does it take deck sealer to dry?

Usually, just about 48 hours is enough for deck sealer to dry. However, this might not be the case as the drying time depends on the location of your deck, especially the proximity to direct sunlight. Environmental factors such as humidity and rainfall affect the time it takes for deck sealer to dry.

How often should you seal your deck?

Many sealers last one cycle of seasons which means that you should always seal your deck after every one year. In case you used the sealers with waterproofing and Uv protection components, always try and seal twice each year.

Conclusion

This list consists of only the very best deck sealers for pressure treated wood in the market. We have analyzed and tested the above products and believe that they are the best if you are looking to seal any of your project that involves pressure treated wood. 

We also encourage that you carefully consider all the factors such as coloring, durability, among others as you go shopping for your sealers. That way, you will minimize all the chances of getting it wrong with the sealing project. Whichever project you will choose from our list will serve your projects right. Enjoy your buying

Image of a woodworker wearing hearing protectors for woodworking

Tyron Otieno

Tyron is an avid woodworker and writer. He founded this website to help other woodworkers, whether hobbyists or professionals by sharing his knowledge and experiencie after a decade of woodworking.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.