The Best Deck Stains of 2023

The word "marine" in the title gives this stain/sealer combo away—it offers a high level of protection for decks that are regularly exposed to humidity and moisture. It's even designed to prevent water damage in areas near saltwater.

When I opened the can, the first thing I noticed was the lack of toxic fumes. After testing a couple of other stains with fumes strong enough to give me a headache, this was a nice feature. I applied the stain/sealer product with a brush, and it barely changed the look of the wood. I’d selected "Natural" as the tone, and while it looked yellow in the can, the color didn't transfer to my test board. I could barely tell any difference.

After allowing the board to dry for 24 hours, I put it outdoors to weather the elements. After 3 weeks, after testing the board for water resistance, it passed with flying colors—the water beaded up and ran off. I could see just a bit of a color difference where I’d applied the stain, but not much.

For someone who wants to retain the most natural look of their deck while adding a level of moisture protection, Seal-Once Marine is a decent option.

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Get Seal-Once deck stain at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.