For those who love spending time outdoors, having a deck is a great addition to your backyard. Staining your deck is crucial when it comes to helping it look its best. If your deck is in need of some new stain, you might consider doing the job yourself.
Staining your deck might seem simple enough, but it’s important to make sure you have the right tools for the job. This article will help you find the best brush for staining your deck by covering the following:
- 10 best brushes for staining a deck
- What’s the best type of paintbrush for applying deck stain?
- Best way to stain your deck: brush, roller, or spray?
- Best way to stain your deck without marks
Before we get into what to look for in a brush, let’s give you a brief overview of the best brushes for staining a deck. If you’re also working on other exterior projects, check out our guide to the best paintbrushes for railings.
10 best brushes for staining a deck
For first-timers, shopping for the right paintbrush for deck stain can get overwhelming. To help concentrate your search efforts, here are our recommendations for the best brushes, rollers, and sprayers for staining your deck.
1. Perdura DECK BOSS Stain Brush
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Brush
Quantity: 1
Size: 7-inch
Material: Filament
Best Feature: Efficiency
For a brush that will help you stain your deck in less time, check out the Perdura DECK BOSS Stain Brush. This brush allows you to easily apply stain to your deck without straining your back. It also works well with all paints and stains to give you a beautiful finish.
2. Linzer Satin and Stain Block Brush
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Brush
Quantity: 1
Size: 5-inch
Material: Polyester and bristle filament blend
Best Feature: Coverage
The Linzer Satin and Stain Block Brush is another great option for staining your deck. The bristles are designed to allow you to easily apply stain for great coverage. This brush can also be attached to an extension pole, if that helps you work more comfortably with it.
3. HomeRight Super Finish Max Sprayer
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Sprayer
Quantity: 1
Size: 1.5 kg
Best Feature: Efficiency
The HomeRight Super Finish Max Sprayer is a great option for those wanting to test spraying stains on their decks. This sprayer is lightweight and easy-to-use so that you get your desired level of coverage. It’s also very affordable and long-lasting.
4. Wooster Bravo Stainer
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Brush
Quantity: 1
Size: 5.5-inch
Material: White China bristle
Best Feature: Quality
Another option for a high quality brush is the Wooster Bravo Stainer. This brush is designed to help you easily apply an even stain to your deck. It’s also very durable, and allows you to easily attach an extension pole.
5. Purdy White Dove Roller Cover
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Roller
Quantity: 1
Size: ⅜-inch nap, 18-inch length
Material: Woven Dralon
Best Feature: Smooth finish
For those wanting to try using a roller to stain their decks, the Purdy White Dove Roller Cover is a great option. This roller cover allows you to easily apply stain to smooth, wooden decks for a beautiful finish. It also works well with all paints and stains.
6. Wagner SprayTech Control Spray Max H.V.L.P. Paint or Stain Sprayer
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Spray
Quantity: 1
Size: 5.08 kg
Best Feature: Versatility
For a sprayer that’ll help you achieve great coverage of your deck, try the Wagner SprayTech Control Spray Max H.V.L.P. Paint or Stain Sprayer. This sprayer works well on various projects to help you achieve a smooth finish. You can use a variety of paints and stains with it, too.
7. Precision Defined Deck Stain Brush
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Brush
Quantity: 1
Size: 7-inch
Material: Filament
Best Feature: Versatility
For those wanting a brush that can stand up to anything, you need the Precision Defined Deck Stain Brush. This quality brush is designed to help you achieve a beautiful stain on your deck in less time. It works great with all paints and stains, and can handle both rough and smooth surfaces.
8. Mr. Long Arm Woodmates Stain Applicator
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Brush
Quantity: 1
Size: 12-inch
Material: Flextech foam
Best Feature: Quick use
The Mr. Long Arm Woodmates Stain Applicator is a unique tool that can help you easily stain your deck. The size of the applicator’s pad helps you stain your deck in less time. It’s also shred-resistant and has an edging guide to help you achieve great coverage.
9. Graco Magnum X7 Cart Airless Paint Sprayer
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Spray
Quantity: 1
Size: 11.8 kg
Best Feature: Easy to use
If you’re wanting to invest in a sprayer that will help you with large projects, you should consider the Graco Magnum X7 Cart Airless Paint Sprayer. This sprayer allows you to easily adjust the flow of your paint or stain, helping you to get your ideal level of coverage on your deck. It also allows you to spray continuously, or even directly from the bucket.
10. Perdura Rapid Stain Deck Stain Brush
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Brush
Quantity: 1
Size: 5-inch
Material: Filament
Best Feature: Quality
If you’re looking for a durable brush to stain your deck with, check out the Perdura Rapid Stain Deck Stain Brush. This brush is made with quality materials to help you complete projects faster. It also comes with a bonus bottle/can opener.
What’s the best type of paintbrush for applying deck stain?
Once you’re ready to start shopping for a paintbrush for deck stain, it’s important to know what to look for. Whether you’re shopping for a brush, roller, or sprayer, these are the things you need to look for:
- Size — Larger sizes of brushes and rollers work best, as they help save time. Brushes should be 3.5 inches or larger, while rollers should be between 9 and 18 inches long.
- Material — Synthetic materials are ideal if you’re working with a brush, while fabric materials are ideal for rollers. Foam also works well for bother brushes and rollers.
- Nap — If you’re using a roller, make sure your roller’s nap is designed for your deck’s texture. ⅜-inch or smaller is ideal for surfaces with minimal to no texture.
- Comfort — Whatever you’re using, it should allow you to maintain comfort while you work. Brush and rollers should have the option to attach an extension pole, while sprayers should be lightweight and/or easy to move around.
- Pressure — If you’re using a sprayer, opt for one that is high volume, low pressure (H.V.L.P.). This will help you to obtain even coverage while you stain.
Best way to stain your deck: brush, roller, or spray?
The best way to stain your deck is dependent on what you hope to achieve and what your priorities are while doing so. For the best coverage of your deck, using a paint or stain brush is your best bet. It may require a bit more effort and time, but the results will speak for themselves.
Using a roller is also a great option, as it speeds up the process while still achieving good coverage. But you might still end up missing a spot here and there, so keep a small brush at the ready in case you need to put on finishing touches.
Sprayers are great for obtaining full, even coverage incredibly fast. However, they are expensive and can get pretty messy.
Choose a brush if…
- You want perfect coverage of your deck.
- You’re okay with spending a little extra time staining.
- You want the cheapest option.
Choose a roller if…
- You want to balance coverage with speed.
- You’re not concerned about achieving a perfect stain.
- You want to keep your costs down.
Choose a sprayer if…
- You want to stain as fast as possible.
- You’re able to afford renting or buying a sprayer.
- You don’t mind possibly making a mess.
Best way to stain your deck without marks
If it’s your first time staining your deck, you might be concerned about how well you’ll do. To get the most out of project, follow these tips for staining your deck without marks:
- Check the weather — Make sure the weather isn’t calling for rain or high humidity. This will help your wood stay dry so you can properly stain your deck.
- Clean your deck — Spraying your deck down with soapy water will help you eliminate any dirt or debris that could appear in your stain.
- Repair and sand — Fix up any part of your deck that needs repairs, and then sand the deck’s surface before you stain. This will help the stain stay in place and keep any accidental lines or splatters from appearing.
- Use only what you need — Be careful to not apply too much stain to your brushes. This will prevent any uneven coverage or unwanted blotches from appearing
- Finish while the stain is wet — Plan ahead so that you can complete staining the entirety of the surface at once. This will ensure that there’s no visible overlap in your stain.
Now that you’ve got a grasp on what’s needed to stain your deck, it’s time to get started. If you’re starting to think you’d prefer to go the professional route, the City Painters are here to help. Contact us here or give us a call for a quote!