If you’re looking for the best deck stain for full sun exposure then you need to pay very close attention because you only get one shot at this…

Here’s what you need to know…

The best deck stain for full sun exposure would have to be an oil based deck stain like Ready Seal or Equisol. These deck stains are slower dying than water based stains so you can apply them in full sun and they also have great UV protection so they will last longer when exposed to full sun…

This is win, win when it comes to a deck that’s completely exposed to the sun…

Think about this…

A deck that is sitting in the sun, day in and day out, will be very very dry…

It can be like a desert out there…

And when your deck is exposed to these harsh elements everyday, it’ll age really badly…

It’s just a matter of time before you see splitting, cracking and warping out of shape…

Deck stain like Equisol is a linseed oil that is designed to absorb deep into timber and completely nourish your deck…

So your deck can repel the damaging UV but also stay moist and fresh just like the day you had it built…

This is starting to sound like an anti-aging cream for your face…

Hmm, I wonder…

No, it’ll never work…

Anyway, when you apply water based stains in full sun, they dry on the surface of your deck boards, well and truly before they’ve had a chance to absorb into the boards properly…

What you end up with is a deck stain that is sitting on the surface of the deck, waiting to peel off…

The oil based stains that I’ve mentioned above dry slower so they will still be absorbed into your deck even in direct sunlight…

But, these oil based stains are also better for long term exposure to the sun…

The reason I recommend oil based over water based stains for full sun exposure…

It is well known that oil based deck stains will absorb deeper into the surface of a deck…

And when a deck is sitting in full sun, it has a tendency to dry out…

Deck boards that dry out too much will end up turning grey and then crack and split…

The extreme drying of your decking will also cause warping and cupping…

One minute your deck boards are flat and impressive…

Then give them a little sun and they get all bent out of shape…

Who knew your deck was so temperamental, hey?

Anyway, nourished deck timber will be more resistant to drying out and warping…

Ready Seal And Equisol will actually condition the dry wood and keep it nourished better than a water based stain…

Now, if you actually prefer to use a water based stain, I don’t blame you…

They’re so easy to use, not to mention how easy they are to clean up…

Plus the smell won’t give you a headache…

If this is you, then rest assured that you can also use water based on a deck that has full sun…

You just can’t apply them in full sun…

Just make sure you get yourself a high quality water based deck stain that can handle the UV…

Should you use light coloured stain or dark coloured stain in full sun?

Well, a dark coloured stain will offer longer protection from the sun but darker colours also absorb more heat…

So if you stain your deck a darker colour, it will be so much hotter…

It could even be too hot to walk on…

So you have to decide between a dark colour for longer protection or a lighter colour so your deck won’t get so hot…

If you really do prefer a darker deck stain, there are ways that you can cool your deck off so don’t let that stop you…

And with that said, if you prefer a lighter colour stain, your deck will definitely be cooler to walk on but could fade much quicker…

All this means is that you may need to clean and recoat every 6 to 8 months instead of every 12…

That’s no real problem…

So really, just choose a stain colour you prefer, knowing that you can still protect your deck from the sun but they have to be maintained in different ways…

Is semi-transparent or a solid deck stain better in full sun?

Look, a solid deck stain will definitely give you more protection from the sun…

A solid stain will completely block the UV from reaching your deck timber so it will last longer…

So if you like more of a solid look, use a solid stain…

You’ll get the finish you want plus the benefit of added sun protection…

But if you’re like me and you prefer to see the timber grain and natural colours coming through, then you need a semi-transparent stain instead…

The thing is, semi-transparent stains will offer less protection from the sun…

But it doesn’t mean you can’t use them if your deck is in full sun exposure…

The main difference I see is that the semi-transparent stain will fade quicker so it just means you’ll need to clean and recoat more often…

Honestly, I wouldn’t let that stop you…

A clean and recoat is one of the easiest parts of deck maintenance…

So what’s my recommendation?

When it comes to a deck that’s exposed to the full sun, I do recommend using an oil based deck stain like Ready Seal or Equisol…

If you want a solid stain then get a solid stain…

If you want a light coloured semi-transparent stain then do that…

The thing is, you’ll get protection from all of these different types of deck stains but they’ll need to be maintained differently…

You need to choose a stain with a balance between what you like and the level of maintenance you’re happy to commit too…

Just know that no matter which deck stain you choose, you will need to clean and recoat at least once every 12 months…

No matter what…

There’s no getting around it…

I hope that helps…

I’ll see you next time…

Peace,

Jason…