The Best Outdoor Wood Sealers of 2024 for Fences, Decks, and Furniture
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Outdoor Wood Sealers of 2024 for Fences, Decks, and Furniture and hope the blog can help you.
Keep your deck, fence, and wooden furniture looking great by protecting them with an outdoor wood sealer.
Wood decks, fences, and outdoor furniture live a hard life exposed to rain, snow, and sun, which is why it’s important to protect them with a quality outdoor wood sealer. These sealers create an exterior coating that repels water while also blocking harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can dry out wood, causing it to splinter and crack. We examined over 40 wood sealers that offer a range of color options, transparency, and finishes to choose the top 10 products. We put those 10 products to the test by applying each to various wood species, then subjecting them to water and foot traffic.
The outdoor wood sealers we reviewed encompass a range of types, from oil- and water-based formulas to solid and clear coatings. Our top pick is Seal-Once Nano+Poly Premium Wood sealer, which is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), creates a durable waterproof shell over wood, and has strong abrasion resistance. Below, we’ll review what factors you’ll want to consider when shopping for the best wood sealers and offer our top recommendations.
- BEST OVERALL: Seal-Once Nano+Poly Penetrating Wood Sealer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Rain Guard Natural Finish Wood Sealer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST OIL-BASED: Ready Seal Exterior Stain and Sealer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WATER-BASED: Olympic WaterGuard Clear Wood Sealer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SOLID: SaverSystems #1 Deck Advanced Solid Color Wood Stain
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SEMITRANSPARENT: SaverSystems #1 Deck Premium Wood Stain
↓ Jump to Review - BEST CLEAR: Thompson’s WaterSeal Clear Multisurface Waterproofer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ECO-FRIENDLY: Eco Advance Exterior Wood Water Repellent
↓ Jump to Review - BEST UV PROTECTION: Seal-Once Marine Premium Wood Sealer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST AGAINST MILDEW: Owatrol Textrol Exterior Wood Sealer
↓ Jump to Review
How We Tested the Best Outdoor Wood Sealers
Our testing of the top 10 exterior wood sealers was based on four criteria: application, appearance, durability, and value. We first assessed how easy each wood sealer was to apply along with drying time. After applying each stain to three different types of wood species, we considered its appearance and how well it matched the color on the can or, for clear products, how well they preserved the original look for the wood.
After giving each product the recommended amount of time to cure, we simulated both weather and foot traffic. We evaluated scuff resistance by walking on the boards repeatedly and dragging patio furniture across them, taking note of any scratches. We also exposed each to water by spraying them or, in some cases, briefly leaving them out in rainy weather. Finally, we considered value by comparing the coverage and price of each product.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 10 |
| Hours spent testing | 5 hours |
| Tests performed | 3 |
| Price range | $18 to $64 |
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Seal-Once Nano+Poly Penetrating Wood Sealer
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Application 3.5/5; Appearance 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 3.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Water-based
- Transparency: Clear
- Resists: Water, mold, decay, UV, abrasion
What We Like
- Low-VOC formula produces fewer smelly fumes than other wood sealers
- Provides great weather protection with high water and UV resistance
- Ideal for high-traffic areas thanks to strong abrasion resistance
What We Don’t Like
- Thin consistency makes it a challenge to apply with a brush or roller
- Costs several times more than other wood sealers
One of the most important factors to keep in mind while searching for an outdoor wood sealer is that wood is vulnerable to more than just water damage. UV radiation can crack and splinter wood, while heavy foot traffic can cause abrasive damage, leaving it susceptible to rain and moisture. This Seal-Once outdoor wood sealer is designed to protect decks, fences, and outdoor furniture from water, mold, decay, UV radiation, and abrasion.
The sealant is completely clear, allowing the natural beauty of the wood to show through, and relies on a UV-stable formula to protect from the sun. This water-based product has low VOCs and is nontoxic, making it a good option for homes with kids or pets.
While our short period of testing didn’t allow us to evaluate its abilities to protect from UV rays, we were able to get a sense of the sealer’s weather-resistant qualities. As wood sealers go, Seal-Once is on the watery side, which means application is most effective by using a sprayer to apply thin coats over the material.
After applying two coats and giving it the recommended 24 hours to cure, we subjected Seal-Once to our spray test. Water beaded up well on the surface of all three test pieces, demonstrating that Seal-Once protects against both water and sun damage. Seal-Once also remained scuff-free after subjecting it to foot traffic and furniture legs.
Seal-Once is among the most expensive sealants out there, but it’s worth the splurge if you want to protect your wood deck, fence, or outdoor furniture.
Get the Seal-Once Nano+Poly outdoor wood sealer at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Seal-Once.
Best Bang for the Buck
Rain Guard Water Sealer
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Application 3.7/5; Appearance 4/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Water-based
- Transparency: Clear
- Resists: Water, mold, decay, UV
What We Like
- Contains UV stabilizers that protect wood from harmful UV rays
- Concentrated formula makes up to 2 gallons of sealer
- Can be applied with a sprayer, brush, or roller
What We Don’t Like
- Concentrated formula must be mixed before application
Designed for tackling larger projects on a budget, Rain Guard water sealer comes in a concentrated form that needs to be mixed with water at a ratio of 7:1 in order to make up to 2 gallons of wood sealer. This product has a clear finish that allows the natural color of the wood and the natural wood grain to show through, making it a great option for users who prefer the look of the deck or fence over a solid or semitransparent color tint.
We had mixed results with Rain Guard during testing. The product was one of the more watery sealers we tested, which made applying it with anything other than a sprayer difficult as it runs easily. We did like how this sealer is completely transparent. Some supposedly “clear” sealers still slightly change the color of the wood. Rain Guard did not.
Given the name of the product, we had high expectations for its rain resistance, and Rain Guard for the most part delivered. Rain beaded up on its surface during our spray test, though water didn’t dance off the surface as much as it did with other pricier wood sealers we tested.
While its thin consistency makes it a challenge to apply, Rain Guard is a good budget-priced option for larger projects that demand a sprayer application.
Get the Rain Guard outdoor wood sealer at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Rain Guard.
Best Oil-Based
Ready Seal Exterior Stain and Sealer
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Application 3.3/5; Appearance 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Oil-based
- Transparency: Semitransparent
- Resists: Water, mold, decay, UV
What We Like
- Comes in a range of colors to suit different preferences
- High UV resistance provides ample protection from the sun’s harmful rays
- Offers plenty of protection from water thanks to oil-based formula
What We Don’t Like
- Takes much longer to dry and cure than water-based sealers
Many outdoor wood sealers are made with a water-based formula that is designed to dry quickly so that the user doesn’t need to worry about rain. But in fact, the longer time it takes for an oil-based sealer to dry, the better it is for achieving a more even finish. This Ready Seal wood sealer is an oil-based option that needs about 48 to 72 hours to fully cure, but the finished product makes it worth the wait, as long as the sealer is applied according to the manufacturer’s directions.
We tested a semitransparent combination stain and sealer that produced rich, even colors, accentuating the existing wood grain on our test pieces. After drying, it created a durable layer of protection. It resisted our best efforts to scuff it, and water beaded off it nicely during our spray tests.
This sealer can be applied in any temperature as long as the wood is completely dry, and it comes in 10 color options, so users can get the look that they want instead of settling for what’s available. ReadySeal is pricier than other water sealers, but we feel it’s worth the additional cost for the level of protection it offers.
Get the Ready Seal outdoor wood sealer at The Home Depot.
Best Water-Based
Olympic WaterGuard Clear Wood Sealer
Photo: The Home Depot
Our Ratings: Application 4/5; Appearance 4/5; Durability 3.5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Water-based
- Transparency: Clear, transparent, semitransparent
- Resists: Water, mold, decay, UV
What We Like
- Very affordable compared to other water- and oil-based wood sealers
- Offers comprehensive protection with scuff, mildew, and UV resistance
- Works on wood fences, siding, decks, and outdoor furniture
What We Don’t Like
- Watery consistency makes it difficult to apply with anything other than a sprayer
- Doesn’t provide the same level of water resistance as other sealers
In addition to being affordable, the Olympic WaterGuard clear sealant provides waterproofing protection, has built-in Scuff-Guard technology, and is mildew- and UV-resistant. It’s also compatible with a variety of outdoor wood surfaces, including siding, fences, decks, and outdoor furniture.
Since it’s water-based, Olympic’s sealer doesn’t produce the same fumes as acrylic wood sealers, and it’s also very easy to clean up. We tested the clear version of the sealer, though it also comes in a variety of colors in transparent and semitransparent finishes.
Out of the can, Olympic is noticeably watery, which made it difficult to apply with a brush without drips and splatters. This is clearly a sealer that’s best applied in thin layers using a sprayer. We did like the fact that it only calls for a single coat.
We were a little disappointed with its weather resistance. While water didn’t soak into the wood we treated with Olympic, it didn’t bead up as it did with some of the other pricier wood sealers we tested. Olympic says the sealer provides protection for up to 4 years for fencing and 3 years for decks, but that claim seems ambitious.
That said, if you’re looking for an affordable deck sealer or fence sealer and have a sprayer for application, then Olympic’s water sealant for wood is a worthy choice.
Get the Olympic outdoor wood sealer at The Home Depot.
Best Solid
SaverSystems #1 Deck Advanced Solid Color Wood Stain
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Application 4.7/5; Appearance 5/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Water-based
- Transparency: Solid
- Resists: Water, mold, decay, UV, fading, peeling
What We Like
- Covers wood grain and imperfections in just 2 coats
- Solid sealer provides exceptional protection from UV rays
- Contains a low-odor, low-VOC solution that’s safer for the environment
- Quick dry time allows one to apply it over a short period of time
What We Don’t Like
- Produces a matte finish that may not appeal to everyone
Of all the solid outdoor wood sealers we tested, SaverSystems Advanced stood out for its ability to mask wood grain. It took just two coats to create an opaque, even coat over our test pieces of wood, which was impressive given that our test batch was white, a color that rarely masks well. Brush marks are a bit more noticeable with SaverSystems than with other solid deck stains and sealers. It also leaves more of a matte finish than other wood sealers, which may not appeal to some.
This outdoor wood sealer goes on with a sprayer, paint brush, or roller and dries in just a couple of hours. You can choose from six color options, including white, light walnut, classic taupe, dark cocoa, dark walnut, and gray to get the finish that matches the outdoor aesthetic of your home.
The SaverSystems products we’ve tested in the past have excellent scuff resistance, and this product was no exception. It did a great job of warding off our best attempts to scuff with shoe soles and furniture legs. SaverSystems also resisted water well when exposed to rain. If you’re looking to hide wood grain and imperfections in a deck or table with a solid stain while protecting it from the elements, SaverSystems Advanced is a great choice.
Best Semitransparent
SaverSystems #1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Stain
Photo: Amazon