We’ve found significant differences from one formulation to another. One year of testing tells you how a stain will do after a year on your deck or about three years of weathering on vertical surfaces (siding or fences), as you’ll see in our wood stain ratings.
Our location in the Northeast exposes the boards to everything from ice storms to blistering heat and high humidity. The least durable stains don’t hold up for even one year. The toughest remain close to new after three years, without fading, cracking, or mildew buildup. Some also fend off dirt.
Bear in mind that manufacturers periodically reformulate their products, so we retest samples from time to time to ensure our ratings reflect the up-to-date information.
The most durable stains should last three to five years on a deck and even longer if applied to siding or fences, which don’t get as much abuse. “The sun and water beat down on a deck, snow can pile up, and even dirt and mildew spores can settle on the flat surface,” says Li Wang, the engineer who leads Consumer Reports’ wood stain testing program. “All those issues are minimized on a vertical surface.”
To find the best wood stain for your needs, start with CR’s wood stain ratings and use the Ratings & Specs slider to see which ones resist cracking, fading, dirt, and mildew the best. Your priorities will vary depending on the climate you live in. Find a stain that resists mildew if you live in a humid area, for example. The best wood stain in our ratings currently earns an Overall Score of 82 out of 100. The worst earns an abysmal score of 4 out of 100.
If you’re upgrading your home’s exterior, we also have test results on decking, replacement windows, roofing, siding, and paints.
