October 4, 2023
There are times the wood we’ve got doesn’t hold up. To make it functional and equipped with adequate strength, you can pressure-treat wood as your best bet. After, it can support anything heavy during construction.
Even if it’s pressure-treated, you still need to provide the wood’s protection especially the waterproofing protection that also prioritize decay, insects, weathering and warping. The last one is a must: after pressure-treating, the wood doesn’t have waterproofing or sealing.
You might see the wood holding up heavy objects, but it’ll soon fall apart with enough moisture. It will age, spoil, and become unusable.
Are you looking for the best protection for your wood? We have everything right here in this article. Today, we teach you how to seal the wood, provide ample waterproofing, and enjoy quality wood for longer!
3 Waterproofing Wood Sealers That Are Most Suitable For Pressure Treated Wood
Before we jump into a variety of brands, let’s focus on the types of wood sealers you can use. When choosing wood sealers, you need to consider wood color retention.
- Solid stain sealant: If you want the most pigment out of your money, get a solid stain. If you check the consistency, you’ll find that this sealer is thick, pigmented, and may alter the original wood coloring.
- Semi-transparent sealant: Semi-transparent sealers contain less pigment than solid ones, but they will significantly alter the original wood coloring. If you have deck boards, paths, or other places with heavy foot traffic, consider a semi-transparent wood sealer!
- Clear sealant: Go minimal and opt for no pigment at all. If you don’t want to alter your wood coloring, this is your best bet. However, keep in mind that all it provides is weathering protection. Your wood may fade after some time, and the sealant won’t do it any favors.
Recommended Waterproof Wood Sealers for Pressure Treated Wood
Last update on 2024-11-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1) LastiSeal Concrete Stain & Sealer
This product blows us away. It doesn’t just have a long-lasting effect on your wood, but every feature is a testament to its durability, too. It’s UV-resistant, can seal and stain, has low odor, and is acid-free. The surface will be waterproof and slip-proof at the same time.
Apply it with a pump-up garden sprayer. It’s made with deep-penetrating concrete, and the product comes with a 15-year waterproofing warranty to match!
If you want a sealer for outdoor areas – driveways, sidewalks, or patios – this is the product for you. It gives you a variety of colors and is quite attractive on porous surfaces!
2) Seal-Once Marine
Your wood won’t just have protection against moisture but mold and decay as well. As it’s water-based, you don’t have to worry about the harmful chemicals, either – for pets, people, or the environment! It has low VOC and works shockingly well. The coating doesn’t remain at the surface but goes into the wood fiber cells.
We love this sealer for acting just like how your favorite oil-based sealer would, but without the odors, side effects, or chemicals. Instead, you get a premium sealer that strengthens and protects the wood.
If you’re having a hard time abandoning your oil-based sealer, you can make the switch with SEAL-ONCE MARINE. It’s also the ideal pick for people who live in high-moisture environments. So, if you’re doing a project near lakes, rivers, or oceans, it’s time to pick the SEAL-ONCE MARINE up!
3) KILZ L832211
Don’t want the thickness of a solid stain or the fragile clarity of a transparent stain? A semi-permanent exterior wood stain is the right balance for you. Its protection lasts for a long while, and you get more quality out of the mildew-resistant finish!
The coverage is surprisingly good for a sealer. The first coat gives you UV protection for 250 square feet, while the second coat lasts for up to 500 square feet.
If you need to cover a large amount of space outdoors, then try the KILZ L83211 out. Sand the area before applying the sealer. You can use a pad, nylon or polyester brush, or a pump-up sprayer.
4) Thompsons WaterSeal
Do you need your sealing done quickly? This product is built for just that. Upon application, Thompsons WaterSeal dries in less than an hour and cures within a day.
We examined this product, and it passes all of our quality standards. The consistency is goopy. As a result, thick applications are a breeze. You won’t have to recoat, either. One coat is enough to create a long-lasting, quality project! You can use a sprayer with this product, too.
For those who value convenience above everything, this is the best product for you. It doesn’t require mixing or a complicated clean-up process. After all, time is precious! You don’t want products to dry, cure, or mix.
If you need a project done quickly and don’t mind paying extra for the convenience that comes with it, then yes! It’s a water-based sealer, so you know it’s safe and easy to apply.
5) Cabot Wood Sealer 140.0003400.005
Is your wood furniture so sun-baked and it’s damaged? Apply Cabot Wood Sealer for a quick fix. It will seal and protect your wood with no issue.
Fences, decks, and other kinds of wood outdoors will get protected, too.
As an oil-penetrating sealer, it goes deep into the cells to rally against UV damage. Sometimes, we think our furniture is falling apart when all that’s left is a cosmetic touch-up.
Wash and sand the area. Use fillers for any cracks, gouges, and holes. After you apply the sealer to the pressure-treated site, the wood will look like it’s brand new!
If your outdoor furniture, fences, or decks have suffered a lot of weather damage, then the Cabot Stain Wood Sealer is your best bet. Any damage will soon disappear!
Last update on 2024-11-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Three Reasons Why Stains Are The Best Pressure-Treated Wood Sealers
#1 You Get A 2-in-1 Deal
Once the stain goes into the wood fibers, the chemicals it has protects the wood against weathering. Then, you get a nice change of color. The latter is significant for wood furniture – you don’t want something that fades quickly!
A stain preserves the beauty of natural wood while preventing any damage from happening again. Pressure-treated wood will suffer from injury. A stain will provide that extra layer of protection year-long!
#2 Have Fun with Different Color Hues
We guarantee that you’ll be able to find the right wood tone for you. These sealers will make it seem as if the damage never happened. Instead, the original appearance is restored! Of course, you could always stain the wood to make it seem brand-new. Clear sealers won’t provide that flexibility.
#3 You Can Have Stains Around For Much Longer
With clear variants, you might need to reapply the sealer every year. But stains last for a couple of years more! It’s cost-effective. If you get the ones that withstand weathering, then it could stay for longer.
Key Considerations When Choosing the Waterproofing for Pressure Treated Wood
UV Protection
As humans, we know first-hand how harmful the sun’s UV rays can be. The frequent sunburns we get at the beach when we neglect sunscreen show that! However, the sun doesn’t just affect humans – it can damage wood, too. All living things suffer from merciless UV rays!
Thankfully, we have protection. If humans use sunscreen, wood can benefit from waterproofing sealants.
You notice UV damage once your wood fades, cracks, and warps, and it’s unsightly for your eyes. A waterproofed wood sealant undoes all those adverse effects. We recommend a dark pigment for your sealant! As the stain gets darker, the UV protection increases.
So, if you want to use clear deck sealers, make sure what you’re sealing is out of the sun’s rays. After all, those sealers can’t block much damaging UV light.
It follows that you should get a dark stain for areas receiving a lot of UV rays and intense summers. Additional UV protection slows down sun damage, but it won’t prevent it entirely. Invest in more UV protection – don’t rely on sealants alone!
If you use sealants and get a lot of sunlight, reapply them each year. The chemicals in those sealants break down quickly, so make the most out of them.
Choose from Oil-Based or Water-Based Sealers
There are two main types of waterproof wood sealers: oil-based and water-based. Let’s have a run-down of which is the best pick for you below.
Oil-Based Sealers
- Application: Oil-based sealers have their benefits, but they can be tricky to apply. If you don’t wait for your wood to dry, your sealer can develop bubbles and spots.
- Safety: Oil-based sealers can be toxic, flammable, and cause nausea. Check if there are any regulations regarding sealants in your area!
- Drying Time: If you have more time on your hands, go for oil-based sealers. It can depend on the current weather, but at most, oil-based sealers can take two days.
- Durability: Oil-based products are much more durable, so you can trust them to stay during intense weather. They won’t flake or chip as much as water-based sealers can.
- Resealing: Oil-based sealers are better for imperfect wood! They adapt well. Just make sure you clean and prep your deck before applying them.
- Cost: Good news! Oil-based sealers are much cheaper, so you can go for this sealer if you have financial constraints.
Water-Based Sealers
- Application: Most people go for water-based sealers for application ease, and they’re for a good reason. Water-based sealers won’t develop tiny bubbles, and you can apply them on damp wood. Still, you should take extra care with wet surfaces!
- Safety: Water-based sealers are safer for you and the environment. If you want to comply with strict regulations, go for water-based sealers. They have less volatile compounds, so you’re better off!
- Drying Time: Need your project to be done right away? In at least three hours, water-based sealers are all done!
- Durability: Unfortunately, water-based sealers may need frequent reapplication. They tend to flake and chip, so you want to be careful. Does the weather in your area tend to go to extremes?
- Resealing: Water-based sealers aren’t as forgiving as oil-based sealers. They may not sit as well over rough and imperfect wood.
- Cost: Due to its safety, ease of application, and quick drying times, water-based products can be twice as expensive as their oil-based counterparts.
Water and Mildew Resistance
You want waterproof sealers for a reason. Moisture makes your wood swell, split, and rot. If the rotting part doesn’t scare you off, maybe the unsightly fungal splotches will. They spread quickly and can be challenging to eliminate.
Prevention is better than cure.
Make sure your chosen sealers have the best resistance possible! Beyond the rain, sealers also protect the wood from snow, humidity, and sprinkler run-off.
To get the most out of your choice, get single-coat sealers. You save time – especially if the project area is quite large! Other products require two coats to work.
In Conclusion
For the best protection for your wood, go for stains that also act as a sealant. Factor in several considerations before you choose a brand! Ultimately, the choice is up to you. Your pressure-treated wood is sure to last for longer!
Did you enjoy our article? Let us know about any relevant experience, questions, and comments!
Jason is a 40-year-old woodworker, carpenter and author who have been involved in the woodworking and woodcraft industry with 17 years of experience. He is expertise in technical aspects, woodcraft and furniture building projects.