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One of the key ways to keep your decking area looking great is to ensure that you follow the proper maintenance.
Some people don’t feel their wood needs to be sealed, stained, or painted, just because it uses pressure-treated wood.
And while it’s true that pressure-treated wood will last longer than non-treated wood if left to the elements, it will still degrade over time if not given the proper protection against water and wood rot.
This is where a deck sealer for pressure-treated wood will come in. This product will work in tandem with your pressure-treated wood to ensure that it has the very best protection against the elements.
You won’t have to worry about your decking rotting away from underneath you if you apply this to the wood regularly, and you will be ensuring that it lasts you for many years to come.
But with so many different wood sealers on the market, how can you be sure that you’ve found the best deck sealer for pressure-treated wood?
That’s where we want to help you! We’ve scoured the internet to find the very best deck sealers for pressure-treated wood.
Here are our top 3:
We used a strict list of criteria to help us select and test the products we’ve reviewed in more detail down below.
So if you opt for one of the great products that we’ve reviewed down below, you can rest assured that you have found the right product for your needs. So let’s take a look at the best deck sealer for pressure-treated wood down below!
Out of all the deck dealers for pressure-treated wood that we put to the test, the Ready Seal 512 5-Gallon Pail Natural Cedar Exterior Stain and Sealer for Wood easily came out on top.
This particular sealant comes with a range of excellent features that make it an easy front-runner out of all the products on the market.
A feature we really loved about this sealer was that it is two products rolled into one. Whereas to stain your decking as well as seal it from the elements, you would have to purchase 2 separate products, this product has you covered all in one tub.
So you will get the great longevity that you expect from a sealant combined with the beautiful stain color that you’re after.
Another handy feature of this deck sealer is that it comes in 2 sizes. You can choose between a 1-gallon and 5-gallon tub, depending on how much decking you need to treat with sealant.
If you have a larger area to treat, then the 5-gallon tub will be ideal. There is also a range of 10 colors for you to choose from to find the best color seal and stain for your decking.
This sealant is super easy to apply to your decking. All you need to do is make sure that you have properly prepared the surface, apply the seal and stain using your method of choice, then allow it to dry properly in between coats.
You also don’t have to strip the stain or sand down the wood before you apply the product again the next year!
Also available at
A close runner-up out of all the deck sealers that we found was the THOMPSON’S WATERSEAL 21802 VOC Wood Protector.
This particular deck sealer also comes with a range of features that make it ideal for use on pressure-treated wood. You can also use it on other wooden areas, such as decking railings.
Not a fan of products that stain your decking? Then you will love this particular product.
This Thompson’s Waterseal Wood Protector comes in clear color so that it won’t change the color of the wooden decking. This will be perfect for those who want to enjoy the natural color of the wood on their decking.
What we really loved about this wood sealant was that you will get everything that you need to protect the wood of your decking. It can waterproof the pressure-treated wood to protect it from water damage.
It will also act as a sunblock for your pressure-treated wood to prevent the timber from yellowing with exposure to the sun. It will also work to stave off mildew and mold so that your decking lasts you for even longer.
Another feature that makes this product great is how versatile it is. It can be used with all types of outdoor wood, including fencing, furniture, and of course – decking.
So if you have any other wooden items that you want to place on your decking, you can protect all of them using the same product. Perfect if you don’t want to purchase multiple products that do the same thing!
Also available at
If you’re looking for a versatile sealant that is both deck sealer and stain rolled into one, then it will be worth considering the #1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain for Decks.
This particular product comes with a range of features that will give your decking the longevity it needs to survive all weather conditions.
A feature that we loved about this product was that it comes available in 2 sizes. You can choose between a 1-gallon and 2.5-gallon tank, depending on your needs.
If you have a larger decking area that needs to be sealed, the 2.5-gallon tank should be enough to help you.
There are several colors for you to choose from in terms of stain. This product gives you 5 great colors: cedar, dark walnut, gray, light walnut, and natural.
So if you want to enjoy the natural color of your decking or want to color it with a stain, you will have the best of both worlds in terms of color choice.
What we loved about this product when we tested it was that it actively prevents graying and color fading. It serves as a sunblock so that the color of your pressure-treated wood won’t depreciate over time.
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Looking for a sealant product that just focuses on sealing your pressure-treated wood rather than coloring it? Then the Rain Guard Water Sealers Wood Sealer will be the thing you’re after.
This particular product focuses on the sealant aspect so as to do the stand up job that is required.
One of our favorite features of this product, when we put it to the test, was that it actively works as a sunblocker.
This will prevent the pressure-treated wood of your decking from graying or yellowing over time, and will instead maintain that great color that you’re after.
This particular product is super easy to apply to your decking. You can either use a paintbrush, a roller, or even a sprayer to make the job even easier.
You also won’t have to worry about maintaining it in between yearly applications and can instead rely on this product doing a great job.
There are multiple options to choose from with this particular product. You can opt for a concentrated formula that comes in 2-gallon and 5-gallon sizes.
Or you can opt for the standard sealant which comes in 16-ounce, 1-gallon, and 5-gallon sizes.
Also available at
Searching for a quality product that you can rely on? Then the ANCHORSEAL 2 Log & Lumber end Grain Sealer is just what you need!
This particular product has been tried and tested by professionals in the log and lumber industry since 1980. So you can rest assured that you will be getting the quality that you’re after!
What we really liked about this product when we put it to the test was that it actively works to prevent splitting.
This product will protect up to 90% of splitting on exposed end cuts of wood. So you won’t have to worry about your decking splitting or cracking once you’ve applied this to the timber.
This particular wood sealant comes in multiple sizes. You can choose between a 1 quart or 1-gallon tub, depending on how much decking you have to cover. You can always purchase multiple tubs for covering larger surface areas, too.
A handy feature of this sealant product is that it’s super easy to apply to your pressure-treated decking. You can use a roller, a paintbrush, or a sprayer to help you achieve the coverage you’re after.
Also available at
Next up on our exciting list of deck sealers for pressure-treated wood is the #1 Deck Wood Deck Paint and Sealer!
Just as we loved #1 Deck’s Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain for Decks, its sister product also ranked well in our testing. This product gives you the 2-in-1 functionality of both a sealant and a stain, so you won’t have to purchase separate products.
A feature that we really loved about this particular product is that it comes in multiple colors. You can choose between classic taupe, dark walnut, gray, light walnut, and simply white.
Compared to other products, this sealant works to hide the wood grain of your decking so that you can enjoy the wonderful color you’ve just applied.
One of the best things about this sealant was that it works as a sunblock as well as protecting your pressure-treated wood from other elements such as rain.
This will prevent the timber from fading or graying over time. You can also apply your yearly coating of this sealant and stain over a previous coating without having to strip it away or sand the wood down.
Overall this is a versatile sealant and stain that can be applied to any type of wood, including pressure-treated wood.
You can also use it on other pieces of wooden furniture that you have on your decking if you want it all to match.
Also available at
Another fantastic offering from Thompson’s Water Seal is the Thompson’s Water Seal 24101 Clear Multi-Surface Waterproofer.
This product is highly versatile and can be applied to a wide range of surfaces, including pressure-treated wood. It will effectively seal it from water so you won’t have to worry about any wood rot setting in.
Our favorite thing about this product when we put it to the test was that it actively works as a waterproofer.
It keeps the water from penetrating the grains of the wood, so you won’t have to worry about wood rot, mildew, or other water-related things which can cause your decking to rot more quickly.
This particular wood sealant is super easy to use. All you need to do is ensure that you have prepared the surface properly beforehand, and then it will be ready to use.
You can apply the sealant using either a sprayer, paintbrush, or roller. It will be important to check the weather forecast beforehand to ensure that your decking will have enough time to dry properly.
Perhaps one of the best things about this product is that you only need a single layer of application for the wood sealant to do its job.
This will make things much easier and cheaper for you if you have a larger decking area that you need to cover.
You will however need to wait at least 45 days before you can apply additional paint or stain to the wooden decking.
Also available at
Buyer’s Guide
Searching for the best deck sealer for pressure-treated wood can be a real challenge. There are so many different factors to consider, and it can often be a confusing experience if you’ve never had to buy wood sealer before.
How much sealant will you need for your pressure-treated wooden decking? Does the ease of application really matter? How long should your sealant last in between each application?
That’s why we’ve put together this handy buyer’s guide. We’ve collated all of the strict criteria that we used to select the best deck sealer for pressure-treated wood that we reviewed in more detail above.
This can help you to find the best product for your needs and ensure that you are able to maintain your decking so that it will last you for many years to come.
It can also help you to make a fully informed decision when it comes to finding the best product for your decking!
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about deck sealers for pressure-treated wood down below or skip ahead to the frequently asked questions!
Easy To Use
When it comes to selecting the best deck sealer for pressure-treated wood, you will need to ensure that you opt for a product that is easy to use.
You won’t want to choose a product that has super complicated instructions to follow. Not only is this going to make your job harder, it’ll take twice as long to get finished!
You will need to think about what work is required to prep the surface beforehand. As you are looking to seal pressure-treated wood, you will need to wait at least 6 months before you can start applying your sealant.
So this will mean that you will need to clean the wood before you apply the sealant. For most products this will also mean ensuring the surface is nice and dry beforehand so that it can adhere to the wood properly.
Next, you will need to think about how easy the sealant will be to apply to your pressure-treated decking. There are several ways that you can apply the sealant, but most people tend to opt for either brushing it on with a paintbrush, or using a sprayer.
So as long as your chosen product is suitable for use with these methods, you can rest assured that it will be ideal for your needs.
Out of the 2 options, we would recommend going with spraying your sealant onto the decking. This will allow you to get the job done quicker and mean you have less time to wait in between applications.
Long Lasting
You will, of course, want to opt for a sealant that is long-lasting and as durable as possible. This will ensure that the product is able to do its job and keep your pressure-treated wood looking great for many years to come.
If you were to opt for a product that wasn’t able to give you this longevity, then you will need to replace your pressure-treated decking sooner than you would like.
Take a look at the label of your chosen product. Does it tell you how often you need to reapply the sealant in order for it to maintain its effectiveness? Does it instruct you on how long it is likely to last and stave off that dreaded wood rot?
Does it also protect your pressure-treated wood from becoming faded and gray over time from exposure to the sun?
The more durable your chosen product is, the better. The vast majority of sealants will need to be reapplied once a year so as to keep your decking looking great.
Anything that needs to be applied more often than this likely isn’t up to the task of ensuring your decking lasts you for as long as possible.
Amount Of Sealant
Before you decide which product to opt for, you will need to consider how much pressure-treated decking you have to seal. The more decking you have, the larger the product that you will need to opt for.
There’s no point in buying a smaller 1.2 gallon tub of sealant if it’s not going to be enough to cover the entirety of your decking area!
Typically a 1-gallon tub of sealant will be enough to cover around 175 square feet of decking, and that will only give you one coat.
So if your decking has a square footage that is equal to or larger than this, you will need to purchase a larger tub so that you can give it the full number of applications required to be effective.
The general rule of thumb is that you will need at least a gallon to cover around 200 square feet of decking. So a 5 gallon tub will be able to cover up to 1,000 square feet of pressure-treated decking.
You can also keep the leftover sealant on hand ready to use for the next round of application the following year.
Color Or Clear
Another important factor that you will need to decide before you select your chosen wood sealant is whether you want to enjoy the original color of your pressure-treated decking or whether you want to stain it a separate color.
Most sealants are available as a 2-in-1 combo of both sealant and stain, so you will need to decide what color you would like the wood of your decking to be.
If you would prefer to enjoy the natural color of your wood, then you should opt for a clear sealant.
This will simply heighten the natural color of the decking without changing it at all. It will give you all the protection that you need from a sealant product but without altering the appearance of the wood itself.
This will be ideal for those who are reluctant to purchase a sealant product in case it changes the appearance of their decking.
If you want to change the color of your decking, then you will next need to decide what color sealant product to opt for.
The vast majority of products come in a range of colors for you to choose from, which will make things easier in terms of color selection.
It will also be worth applying the sealant to a small portion of your decking first so that you can check that you like the color before you apply it to the whole of your pressure-treated decking.
Budget
One of the trickier aspects to contend with when it comes to choosing the best deck sealer for pressure-treated wood is what kind of budget that you have to play with.
You will, of course, want to select the best product for your needs. However, that can be a little tricky if said product is just out of your budget.
You will need to think about how much sealant you need to apply to all of your pressure-treated decking. Just because a smaller tub may be more budget-friendly doesn’t mean that it will be enough sealant for your needs.
You will need to prioritize how much sealant you need and then select the best product for your budget accordingly.
It will always be worth paying a little bit more to opt for a trusted brand if you can help it. This will give you reliability that you can count on, so you won’t have to worry about spending twice as much on a lesser known product that doesn’t do the job as well as it could do.
Easy To Maintain
When it comes to selecting the best deck sealer for pressure-treated wood, you will, of course, want to opt for a product that is easy to maintain.
This will make your life much easier in the long run, and prevent you from having to stress about going over a convoluted process each time you need to apply your chosen product.
Make sure that you prepare your surface properly beforehand. For the vast majority of sealer products this will simply be a case of ensuring that the product can adhere to the wooden surface.
Some products won’t need you to strip or sand down the wood when it comes time to reapply a new application.
Sunblock
It will also be worth looking for a sealant that is able to act as a sunblock for your pressure-treated wood.
This will ensure that your wood doesn’t yellow or gray over time, and you are able to enjoy the same great appearance. If your chosen product doesn’t offer a sunblock feature, then your wood will appear to age more over time.
To keep your pressure-treated wood looking great, you will need to ensure that it comes with sunblock as standard. Otherwise you will need to look for a product that is able to offer this, and you will need to apply it on top of the sealant.
Fast Drying
You will of course want to opt for a sealant product that will be fast drying. The vast majority of sealant products require multiple applications in order to get your decking the protection that you are after.
So in order to ensure you are able to give your pressure-treated decking the protection that it needs, you will ideally want to finish the application in one day.
Some products require several hours to dry after it’s been applied, whereas others can take as little as 45 minutes. The sooner the product is able to dry, the better.
This will mean you can apply that crucial second coat to get the right amount of protection from the elements. It also means you can finish the job sooner rather than having to wait for ages in between each application of sealant.
Opting for a fast-drying product will make your life so much easier. It will also be worth keeping an eye on the weather so that you can be sure you’ve got a couple of dry days ahead of you.
This will ensure that the product has the proper amount of time to dry so that it can do its job properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Deck Sealer For Pressure-Treated Wood?
The best deck sealers for pressure-treated wood are:
– Ready Seal 512 5-Gallon Pail Natural Cedar Exterior Stain and Sealer for Wood
– THOMPSON’S WATERSEAL 21802 VOC Wood Protector
– #1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain for Decks
– Rain Guard Water Sealers Wood Sealer
– ANCHORSEAL 2 Log & Lumber end Grain Sealer
– #1 Deck Wood Deck Paint and Sealer
– Thompson’s Water Seal 24101 Clear Multi-Surface Waterproofer
Do I Need To Seal Pressure-Treated Wood?
Yes, you do need to seal pressure-treated wood. All wood needs to be sealed properly in order to protect it from the elements.
Even though pressure-treated wood is already treated with chemicals before it leaves the factory to help it last even longer, it will still need to be given that extra layer of protection from the sealant.
This works to seal the wood against the elements such as water and snow, and can then protect it from wood rot setting in.
If you don’t seal your pressure-treated wood, it will eventually fall victim to the elements. So it will also be important to regularly treat your wooden decking – even if it makes use of pressure-treated wood – so that it can last you for many years to come.
The chemicals from the pressure-treating process will start to wear off over time, and the wood will lose that protection it first gained from the process.
What Happens If You Don’t Seal Pressure-Treated Wood?
If you don’t seal pressure-treated wood, it will start to fall victim to the elements. It will last longer than non-treated wood, however, if it doesn’t receive additional treatment, it will also suffer the same effects from excess exposure to water, snow, and heat.
The water will start to seep into the layers of the wood, causing it to expand. Heat will cause the wood to expand and contract. Snow can have the same effects as water, and when the water that’s in the wood starts to freeze, this can cause cracks via freeze thaw.
This excess moisture in the wood can also cause wood rot to start to set in, which will cause the pressure-treated wood to slowly decay over time until you need to replace it altogether.
It will be imperative that you always treat your wooden decking, regardless of whether it’s pressure-treated wood or not.
This can give your wooden decking additional protection against the elements and prevent it from degrading too quickly.
How Do You Seal A Pressure-Treated Deck?
It is super easy to seal the wood of your pressure-treated deck. You will first need to ensure that you have chosen the right product for your needs, which should be an all weather wood sealer.
We have highlighted several great options in our detailed reviews above. Next, you will need to choose whether you use a spray gun, or apply the sealant with a brush.
You will need to ensure that you wait until the weather is appropriate for applying the sealant to your decking. There’s no point in treating your decking if it’s going to be washed off again in a couple of minutes!
Once you have applied your wood sealer to the decking, you will then need to allow the first layer to dry for around 2 hours, so that it can properly soak into the wood grain of your pressure-treated wood.
When it’s had enough time to dry and soak into the wood, you can then apply a second coat if this is needed.
You will need to reapply your sealant once every year to ensure that your wood has the very best protection against the elements.
How Long Should You Wait To Stain A New Pressure-Treated Deck?
Before you can stain your new pressure-treated deck, you will need to ensure that it has had time to dry out properly from the pressure-treating process.
Depending on whether the wood has been kiln dried or not, this can take anywhere from a couple of weeks up to 6 months before it will be ready to apply the stain or paint of your choice.
It will also be important to apply a wood sealant to the decking before you even think about applying a colored stain or paint to the wood.
This will give the wood the extra protection that it needs to last you for many years to come. You will also need to wait for this to dry properly before you can apply your stain or paint.
It will be worth doing this process over several dry days so that your wood has enough time to dry in between each application of sealant and stain or paint.
Is It Better To Stain Or Paint Pressure-Treated Wood?
It is considered better to stain your pressure-treated wood rather than paint it. This is because the paint doesn’t tend to adhere well to the pressure-treated surface, whereas stain will stick to the wood much better.
Paint is also notorious for locking in moisture to the wood. Over time the natural moisture that is in the wood will have nowhere to go, so can result in wood rot in some severe cases.
Stain allows the wood to still perspire so that this moisture doesn’t become trapped within the timber itself.
Paul Brenner
I'm your guy for any type of electrical installation or plumbing repair. I'm a jack of all trades. You name it, I can do it. I've seen it all and I'm not scared.
