But even the best semi-transparent stains in our tests aren’t as tough as the top solid stains, and our data say that this type of stain will probably last only two to three years on a deck.

If you love the natural look of wood and have the time to re-coat more frequently, a transparent or semi-transparent stain is ...

Unlock to see our ratings and compare products side by side The Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck Exterior Waterborne Semi-Transparent is part of the Wood Stains test program at Consumer Reports.