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Decking Oil or Staining: What is the Best Treatment for Decks?

If you own a deck, then you might have thought about treating it with either staining or oiling. Which is best for your deck treatment? We cannot give a clear answer to this. As there is only a small difference between the two, the results are significant.

What really matters is to know the difference between their materials and the final output. It can help you in choosing the ideal product for protecting your deck.

Decking Stain versus Decking Oil

It is an absolute choice of the owner what to apply, decking oil or stain. It totally depends on the personal inclinations and how you want your deck to look.

While a decking stain changes the timber color and provides an appealing colored look, decking oil gives an extra shine. It also enriches the wood texture and color and gives a beautiful natural wood texture.

Let us read more about decking oils and decking stains to understand which is a better option.

Why are Decking Oils Used?

The role of decking oils is to shield the natural wood color by refilling the oils back into the timber. These oils generally evaporate and become dull over time. Decking oils do not alter the color of the wood but can deepen its tone.

The oil enters the absorbent surface and preserves the timber from inside. The majority of oils have wax in them, which helps in filling the gaps and makes the timber, dirt, and waterproof.

A properly treated deck with decking oil is easy to maintain and prevents dirt, water, and other elements from entering.

Why are Decking Stains Used?

Stains are usually applied to change the color of the timber. It enhances the grains and texture of the wood and gives it a colorful yet natural look.

The confusion only arises when we have decking oil products that have colors added to their formula. Now the oils can also change the color like stains, so where is the difference? But despite this similarity, both can be easily differentiated by the final output. Stains enhance the natural texture and color while oils enhance the shine, but its color could sometimes make the texture and grains fade out.

Which Treatment Is Better – Oil or Stain?

We cannot declare any one of them to be a clear winner here. It totally depends on the conditions and how you want your deck to look. Both can be easily applied on the surface and give a long-lasting look.

Oils can be preferred if you want to maintain the natural texture and color of the wood, along with a glossy finish. They also provide better footing grips on decks. They also make the wooden decks water and dustproof.

However, stains provide more rigid water resistance than oils. They are also available in various shades to transform the color of the timber to your liking.

One drawback of stains is that they form a layer above the wood and make the surface slipperier. Also, many people want to retain the natural texture of the timber, which makes decking oils a preferred choice.

You must buy the product based on the output that you expect from your deck. Keep in mind to choose the right product with the right ingredients.

Popularly, people prefer decking oils over stains because of their glossy looks, natural color, better grip, and water resistance.

Can We Make Decking Oil at Home?

Yes, we can, and it’s simple and also a great way to save some money.

The homemade recipe for making decking oil at home requires an oil drying agent, mineral turps, and raw linseed oil. Mix all the three ingredients in the ratio of 1:11:4, respectively. Do not use less than 11 portions of turps, as this could make the deck oil thicker. It could also make the solution sticky after it dries on the surface. 

The homemade decking oil mixture can give you a massive saving of about 50% of what you will be spending at a store.

Final Words on Decking Oil and Stains

Many homeowners would always want to have an appealing decking area. Proper maintenance and care, along with the right choice of decking product, will give you the best deck looks.

Be sure that you explore both the options thoroughly and make an informed decision between oiling and staining. Follow the instructions on the deck treatment products, as they will have the usage instructions that could give attractive and long-lasting results.

Don’t go for cheap products if you have expensive wooden floors (like teak). Opt for a premium product on expensive teakwood floors.

Always remember, oil over stain and stain over oil do not go well.

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