11. Warm cedar
The all-time favorite. A semi-transparent cedar tone warms up any deck and lets the wood grain show through, forgiving and easy to refresh.
≈ 1.9 gal · $77 for a 16 × 12 ft deck (2 coats)
Section 01 · 3 colors
Warm wood tones
Classic cedar, oak and mahogany that show off the grain.
1
22. Golden oak / honey
A light honey-oak tone keeps things bright and natural, great for smaller decks where a dark color would feel heavy.
≈ 1.4 gal · $56 for a 14 × 10 ft deck (2 coats)
33. Red-toned mahogany
A rich mahogany or redwood stain adds warmth and a hint of drama. Pairs beautifully with green surroundings.
≈ 2.2 gal · $86 for a 18 × 12 ft deck (2 coats)
Section 02 · 3 colors
Cool & modern grays
The most-searched modern deck colors.
44. Driftwood gray
A cool driftwood gray is the go-to modern deck color, it feels current, hides dirt, and matches almost any exterior.
≈ 1.9 gal · $77 for a 16 × 12 ft deck (2 coats)
55. Weathered coastal gray
A soft, weathered gray gives that relaxed coastal, beach-house look without waiting years for the wood to silver naturally.
≈ 2.8 gal · $112 for a 20 × 14 ft deck (2 coats)
66. Charcoal / near-black
For a sleek, high-end modern look, a solid charcoal stain is hard to beat, especially with light furniture for contrast.
≈ 1.6 gal · $64 for a 16 × 10 ft deck (2 coats)
Section 03 · 3 colors
Bold solid-color stains
When you want color, not just wood grain, and longer wear on older decks.
77. Dark espresso
A solid espresso hides an aging or mismatched deck completely and reads elegant and intentional.
≈ 1.7 gal · $67 for a 14 × 12 ft deck (2 coats)
88. Solid white / cream
A painted-look white or cream deck is pure cottage charm. Solid stain wears better than paint and won't peel as fast.
≈ 1.2 gal · $48 for a 12 × 10 ft deck (2 coats)
99. Sage green-gray
A muted sage green-gray is an unexpected, garden-friendly color that ties a deck into the landscape.
≈ 1.4 gal · $56 for a 14 × 10 ft deck (2 coats)
Section 04 · 3 colors
Finishes & clever pairings
Clear seals, two-tone contrast and pool decks.
1010. Natural clear-sealed
Love your wood as-is? A clear or near-clear sealer protects the deck while keeping the raw, natural look. Expect to recoat more often.
≈ 1.9 gal · $77 for a 16 × 12 ft deck (2 coats)
1111. Two-tone deck + railing
Stain the deck boards dark and the railings light (or vice versa). The contrast looks custom and hides wear on the boards.
≈ 2.2 gal · $86 for a 18 × 12 ft deck (2 coats)
1212. Light pool-deck stain
Around a pool, go light: a pale stain stays cooler underfoot and hides splashes and sunscreen better than a dark one.
≈ 2.4 gal · $96 for a 20 × 12 ft deck (2 coats)
How to get the stain color right
1
Always test the color on a hidden board first, stain looks different on your wood than on the sample.
2
Semi-transparent shows the grain; solid hides it and lasts longer on older, weathered decks.
3
Two coats on a bare or thirsty deck, one coat on a deck that was stained before.
4
Clean the deck and let it dry fully (about 48 hours) before you stain.
5
Stain in mild weather, out of direct midday sun, so it doesn't flash-dry and lap-mark.
6
Not sure how much to buy? The deck stain calculator turns your deck size into gallons and cost.
How much stain will you need?
Get the exact gallons and cost for your deck size, number of coats and stain price.
Open the Deck Stain Calculator