Exterior Wood Stains and Finishes
Choose Your Look
Depending on the age of your wood and the look you desire choose the stain and finish that suits your project.
Clear Stain
- A clear finish allows your wood to weather naturally
- Recommended for new and fresh wood
- Available pre-mixed and ready to go out of the can
Transparent Stain
- Slight hint of colour that highlights the wood grain
- Recommended for wood up to 5 years old
- Available in pre-mixed and tintable options
Semi-Transparent Stain
- Rich colour that allows wood grain and texture to show
- Recommended for wood 5 - 10 years old
- Available in a wide variety of tinted colour options with some pre-tints available
Solid Colour Stain
- Fully opaque color covers the wood grain and accentuates the texture
- Recommended for aging wood over 10 years old
- Available in a wide variety of tinted colours and pre tinted options
Choose your Stain or Finish
Choose from a variety of stains and finishes from top brands.
Good
Olympic Waterguard
- Available in clear
- Recommended for decks, railings, shingles, siding, fences, and wood patio furniture
- Recommended surface is wood
- Comes pre-tinted
- Rain-ready within 24 hours
Behr Deck Plus Penetrating Oil
- Available in transparent
- Recommended for decks, railings, shingles, siding, fences, and wooden patio furniture
- Recommended for wood surfaces
- Tintable to Behr colour collections
- Rain-ready within 4 hours
Behr House and Fence Stain
- Available in solid colours
- Recommended for vertical surfaces like fences and houses
- Recommended for wood, stucco, masonry and fibre cement siding
- Tintable to Behr colour collections
- Rain-ready within 24 hours
Behr Deck Plus
- Available in semi-transparent and solid colours
- Recommended for decks and fences
- Recommended for wood and composite surfaces
- Tintable to Behr colour collections
- Rain-ready within 24 hours
Better
Olympic Ascent
- Available in transparent, semi-transparent and solid colours
- Recommended for decks, railings, shingles, siding, wooden patio furniture and fences
- Recommended for wood surfaces
- Tintable to Olympic colour collections
- Rain-ready within 8 hours and can be applied onto damp wood
Behr Premium Penetrating Oil
- Available in Transparent looks
- Recommended Use - Decks, Railings, Shakes, Shingles, Siding, Fences, and Wood Patio Furniture
- Surfaces - Wood
- Tintable as well as available in Pre-Tinted cans
- Rain-ready within 24 hours
Best
How it Works
Olympic Triumph
- Available in transparent, semi-transparent and solid colours
- Recommended for decks, railings, shingles, siding, wooden patio furniture and fences
- Recommended for wood surfaces
- Tintable to Olympic colour collections
- Rain-ready within 8 hours and can be applied onto damp wood
Behr Premium Waterproofing Stain
- Available in transparent, semi-transparent and solid colours
- Recommended for decks, railings, shingles, siding, wooden patio furniture and fences
- Recommended for wood and composite surfaces
- Tintable to Behr colour collections
- Rain-ready within 24 hours
Don’t Forget your Prep
Cleaning and preparing your wood surface is critical to the successful application and adherence of the stain
Step 1 Wood Stripper
Removes any oil or water-based stains and finishes.
Step 2 Wood Cleaner
Cleans, brightens and removes mould and stains from wood to get it ready for staining
Step 3 Rinse
Rinse clean and allow your wood to dry completely before you apply a coating.
Get Inspired
Behr
Olympic
Shop By Category
Deck & Patio Restoration
Use our deck restoration products to bring your worn-out deck or patio back to life.
Wood Toners & Protectors
Enhance the natural grain of your wood while adding protection against wear and weather.
Concrete Stain
Add colour and character to your concrete surface
Exterior Wood Stains: What to Know Before You Buy
Choosing the right exterior wood stain is key to protecting and enhancing the look of outdoor surfaces. Whether you’re working on a deck, fence, siding, pergola, or garden structure, the right outdoor wood stain provides long-lasting protection against weather, UV damage, and moisture while giving your project the finish you want.
Types of Exterior Wood Stain
Stains are available in a range of opacities, allowing you to control how much of the wood grain is visible:
- Clear wood stain: No added colour and highlights natural wood tone and grain.
- Transparent wood stain: Adds a light tint while maintaining a natural appearance.
- Semi-transparent wood stain: Offers moderate colour coverage with some wood grain still visible.
- Solid wood stain: Full colour coverage. Hides imperfections and provides a painted look.
These finishes are designed for different applications and wood conditions. Solid stain works well on older or worn wood, while clear deck stain is best for newer, smooth wood surfaces.
Oil-Based vs. Water-Based Stain
You’ll also need to choose between oil-based deck stain and water-based options:
Oil-based:
Penetrates deeply while offering long-lasting protection. Ideal for high-traffic areas like decks and stairs
Water-based:
Dries quickly with easier cleanup using soap and water. Lower odour and more eco-friendly.
Both types are available in top brands like Behr deck stain and Olympic stain, with options for all finishes and outdoor surfaces.
Outdoor Protection and Wood Sealing
Many exterior stain products also function as a built-in outdoor wood sealer, offering resistance to water, mildew, and fading. For added durability, some projects may benefit from a separate outdoor finish for wood or exterior wood coating, especially in high-moisture or sun-exposed areas.
Stain Colours
Colour is one of the most important factors when selecting a wood stain for outdoor use. Most stains are tintable, giving you the flexibility to choose a tone that matches your outdoor space.
Popular exterior wood stain colours include:
Black exterior stain: Bold and modern, great for contrast.
White deck stain: Clean and bright, ideal for cottage or coastal styles.
Green deck stain: Natural and earthy, blends well with gardens and wooded areas.
Brown deck stain: Classic and versatile, ranging from light cedar to deep walnut.
Deck stain colours and fence stain colours vary by brand, and most outdoor stain products can be matched or tinted in-store.
No matter what type of exterior stain you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it at The Home Depot Canada. If you’d like to have your deck stained or painted for you, why not visit our installation services page and let a Pro get the job done right.
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