7 Best Deck Sealers of 2024

This sealer is ideal for cedarwood decks. It requires no primer, saving you precious preparation time, and it can be applied using a brush, sprayer, or roller.

This sealer is easy to apply and requires no back brushing, and is guaranteed never to leave lines, runs or streaks. You don’t even need to worry about the wet-line application because it will self-blend, and it can go on in most temperatures within the acceptable range.

You don’t have to dilute or thin it, and when you need to lay down another layer, you don’t need to sand.

The only thing to watch for is when you initially coat your deck; the color is very dark. Don’t panic. It takes 14 days for the true color to appear, so you need a little patience. Between coats, you also need to wait 48 to 72 hours for the sealer to cure.

This cedar deck sealer comes in 5-gallon tubs, so you should have enough to last you well into the new season when the deck needs restaining.

This Helmsman sealer contains a UV blocker that blocks the graying effects of the sun. It also forms a protective barrier against moisture and rain.

It dries crystal clear, ideal for light-colored wood and surfaces where you want to highlight the grain pattern. You can use this sealer indoors and out, on window and door frames, kitchen countertops, and garden furniture.

This one comes in 1-quart tins, so it could be costly to cover the entire surface if you have a large deck area. It’s water-based, so it has a low VOC and won’t irritate your eyes and nasal passages.

This product has a semi-gloss finish, and you can buy it in gloss, regular, and satin.

This translucent treatment is the perfect candidate if you have an exotic wood deck, like teak or mahogany. It penetrates deep into the wood to protect from within while enhancing the grain patina.

The formula contains iron oxide pigments to increase UV protection, which is important if you live in an area with a lot of sunshine. It dries to a flat, translucent finish, and you get approximately 400 to 600 square feet of coverage for smooth surfaces and 250 to 350 square feet for rough surfaces.

It contains linseed oil for penetration, long-oil alkyds for increased durability, and pure South American Tung oil for color. It comes in a 1-quart tin, so if you have a large deck area, you might find this sealer is too expensive.

Perhaps it’s better for smaller projects.

Rust-Oleum is a well-known and trusted brand in the US. This is a water-based poly protector that has enhanced UV protection to stop your deck from fading and cracking.

This is a low-odor sealant that cleans up with soap and water. The first coat dries to the touch within 30 minutes, and you can recoat within 2 hours. It covers up to 87 square feet, so you don’t get the same quantities as other products, but it is ideal for small projects.

When the topcoat cures, it seals the wood, protecting it from UV rays. It won’t fade or yellow and stops mold and mildew from forming.

You can get gloss, semi-gloss, and satin finishes, and it applies with a brush, roller, or sprayer. The big downside is the recommended 4 coats. For such a small tin, you will seriously ramp up your costs if you want to achieve the highest levels of protection.

If you have treated wood, you need a product that will preserve and protect. This Marine-grade sealant is ideal. It utilizes nanotechnology to penetrate to a cellular level. It performs like an oil-based sealant but without harmful chemicals.

This product is low-VOC, pet and child-safe, and non-harmful to marine life. It has been specially formulated to perform in and around saltwater, so it’s ideal for staining and protecting wooden decks and docks.

You get 9 color choices, ranging from natural and coastal to black. Unfortunately, this sealant is sold in 1-gallon tins, so at the current price, it is double the amount of the 5-gallon Ready Seal, making it an expensive option.

On the plus side, the company is so confident this product performs, they guarantee the vertical elements of your woodwork are protected for up to 10 years.

Older decks need superior protection, and this #1 Deck Wood Stain does an excellent job of reviving and safeguarding your woodwork. You can use it on almost every type of wood, including hard and softwood.

It prevents staining and fading from UV light, making it ideal for tired deck boards. It comes in 5 different colors that dry flat to enhance your wood grain.

This is a stain and sealant in one, and because it’s low-VOC, it produces minimal odors and is safe for the environment. And the cleanup is so simple. Soap and water will get your brush, roller, or sprayer clean.

It even works on damp wood so that you can minimize the waiting time between cleaning and staining. This sealant comes in 1-gallon containers, so if you have a significant deck, you might need some spare bottles.

The coverage is pretty small, at just 150 square feet, so you will need more than one bottle to cover larger decks.

This Thomsons is oil-based, so it penetrates deep into the wood, protecting against water damage. It’s a stain and sealant in one, so you get the best of both worlds.

You can apply it with a brush, roller, and sprayer, and the polymers in the formula repel water better than most comparable products. It works to protect fences, decks, outdoor furniture, and all other exterior wood.

You can get this sealant in 5 color options, from acorn brown to harvest gold. Thomsons claim it protects decks for 3 years and fences and wooden sidings for up to 4 years, and they recommend after one coat only, and your woodwork is resistant to moisture.

You get between 150 and 400 square feet of coverage per gallon, and depending on the quality of the wooden surface, a 1-gallon tin goes a long way.

On the downside, some customers have questioned the delivery service because their can arrived dented and damaged.