I'm getting ready to stain my deck, and while the wood has properly dried and cured, my spouse believes I don't need to apply polyurethane after using an all-in-one deck stain. However, I'm considering adding an extra layer of protection. Am I just wasting my time if I put a clear coat of poly on top of the stain?
3 Answers
You're better off skipping the polyurethane. It can trap water and cause peeling and cracking over time, making you refinish your deck sooner than you’d like. Your spouse’s advice is spot on!
Definitely don’t go for the poly! It won't hold up and could complicate future refinishing. All you really need is a good deck stain that acts as a sealer, which will protect your deck just fine.
I second that—no poly needed! Something like Behr's waterproofing stain is perfect. It protects well and ages nicely. Here, I recoat every couple of years, and it really holds up against the elements. Just keep up with maintenance, and your deck will look great for years!
That's interesting! Why do you think water-based stains are better than oil-based ones? My deck's really close to the ocean and has to deal with harsh weather. I'm just trying to gather different opinions before I commit.