Clear Deck Sealers: Do They Work?
Hi, I’m Scott Paul, a licensed exterior restoration contractor with over 30 years of experience and 10,000+ deck restorations. This look at clear deck sealers is based on my own hands-on field experience, not manufacturer claims.
Most deck owners know that protecting a deck with a water-repellent coating is important to the deck’s appearance and wood integrity. But because some enjoy the “natural look” of a wood deck, they decide to use a clear sealer or finish. There’s no doubt that a natural-looking deck makes for a beautiful structure. So is using a clear sealer the best option in this case? Let’s find out.
- Clear deck sealers provide adequate water protection but contain no pigment, meaning they offer zero UV protection for your deck.
- Without UV protection, decks treated with clear sealers can start turning gray and suffer splitting and cracking within just a few months.
- A semi-transparent deck stain offers both water and UV protection while still allowing the natural wood grain to show through.
Table of Contents
The Problem: No UV Protection
The problem with clear deck sealers is that while they do provide adequate water protection, they don’t provide any UV protection. UV rays are essentially what cause a wood deck to turn gray and can also lead to board splitting and cracking.
Why This Happens
This lack of sun protection happens because a clear deck sealer doesn’t contain any pigment. So while a clear sealer will repel water for a year or more, harsh UV rays can start turning the deck gray within a few months. This is certainly a downside for anyone trying to keep that new, natural deck look while also trying to increase the life of the deck.
The Solution: A Semi-Transparent Deck Stain
The solution is to use a deck stain. Deck stains are basically deck sealers with a little tone added. A semi-transparent deck stain will give you water protection and will protect against harsh UV rays because of the added pigment, while still allowing the wood grain to show through. The little bit of tone can also help enhance the natural wood grain and still give you that “natural look” you may be longing for.
Clear deck sealers may be right for some, but if you’re looking to keep the new deck look, a clear finish won’t hold that look for long. The lack of sun protection allows the deck to gray and leads to sun damage. Look at using a deck stain for an enhanced natural look while giving the wood both water and UV protection that will last.
For independent, tested reviews of every major wood deck sealer, see the full comparison at DeckStainHelp.
Clear Deck Sealer FAQ
Do clear deck sealers protect against UV rays?
No. Clear deck sealers contain no pigment, and pigment is what blocks UV rays from breaking down the wood’s surface fibers. A clear sealer can protect against water for a year or more while still allowing the deck to gray from sun exposure within just a few months.
How long does a clear deck sealer last before graying?
A deck treated with only a clear sealer can start showing visible graying within a few months of sun exposure, even though the sealer’s water repellency may still be intact for a year or longer. Water protection and UV protection are two separate properties, and a clear sealer only delivers one of them.
What’s the difference between a clear sealer and a semi-transparent stain?
A semi-transparent stain is essentially a clear sealer with pigment added. That added pigment is what provides UV protection, blocking the sun damage that causes graying, splitting, and cracking, while still being light enough to let the wood grain show through.
Can I keep a natural wood look and still get UV protection?
Yes. A semi-transparent deck stain lets you keep a natural, wood-grain appearance while adding enough pigment to block harmful UV rays. This gives you a similar look to a clear sealer, but with meaningfully better long-term protection against graying and sun damage.
Is a clear deck sealer ever the right choice?
A clear sealer can work if UV graying isn’t a concern for you, or if you plan to reapply frequently regardless of appearance. But if your goal is to maintain the deck’s original color and extend its life, a semi-transparent stain is the better long-term choice due to its added UV protection.
Best to remove first so the stain is able to soak into the wood grain. Use a stain stripper like our Restore A Deck Stripper and pressure wash. Use the RAD Brightener after to neutralize.
I have already applied couple coats of Thompson’s water seal and it has only lasted 2 months; is it OK to go over it with a pigmented stain sealer or do i have to sand down all the wood surfaces ?.
Try Defy Composite sealer:
http://www.opwdecks.com/defy-composite-deck-waterproofing-sealer.htm
I’m looking for a clear deck sealer to apply over a wood composite decking. I live on the water in SW Florida. My deck is a maintance free wood composite deck made by a company called Evergrain. I lightly cleaned the deck with a soapy cleaner and lightly power washed it. I’m looking for a product to apply over the entire deck to protect it. I will only use something with a clear finish. For years I’ve been using Ducksback. They are no longer in business. Do you have a product that would work for me.
We have a client that has a sizable deck and dock area that is approximately 5 years old. The deck material is Dura Pine pressure treated 1X 6 material and has been treated annually with Thompson water sealer except for last year when it was treated with Olympic water sealer. The point is after reading the above article regarding UV protection and the gray color returning after only a few months, we wish to do something better and would like your recommendation as to which semi transparent stain / sealer we should use. The project is in a very upscale neighborhood and quality and longevity are very important. Thank you, any help would be appreciated.