Best Deck Finishes | Recommendations For Deck Finishes That Last

Are you looking for the best deck finish to ensure your deck keeps looking beautiful for years to come? Whether you’re renovating or maintaining your outdoor space, it’s worth investing in deck finishes that last. When it comes to deck coating products, we recommend using quality finishes from Sikkens, Intergrain and Flood. This is what we use to achieve a professional result.

Best Deck Finishes That Last

If your first priority is to choose a deck finish that lasts, here are our top picks.

Best Deck Coating Product #1: Sikkens Cetol HLSE

Type of deck finish: Oil-based

Practical advantages of Sikkens Cetol HLSE:

• A standalone 3-coat system
• Microporous deck finish that allows the timber to breathe while repelling unwanted moisture
• Excellent durability and UV protection
• Weather resistant
• Resistant to blistering, peeling and mould
• Easy, hassle-free maintenance

Aesthetics:

• Achieves beautiful, even satin finish
• High transparency enhances the natural timber grain
• Durable colours
• Allows the wood grain to show through

Recommended surfaces:

• Ideal for protecting a timber deck, outdoor furniture, roof shingles, cladding, and interior timber floorboards

Application:

• Useful as a base coat under Sikkens Cetol Deck Slip Resistant

Best Deck Coating Product #2: Sikkens Cetol BLX-PRO

Type of deck finish: Water-based

Practical advantages of Sikkens Cetol BLX-PRO:

• A premium, standalone 3-coat system
• Quick-drying
• Strengthens durability
• Microporous composition that lets the timber breathe while repelling unwanted moisture
• Environmentally friendly and non-toxic
• Good adhesion on bare wood
• UV and weather resistant
• Easy to apply and clean

Aesthetics:

• Achieves a low satin finish
• A highly transparent finish that accentuates the natural character and colour of the timber
• Allows the wood grain to show through

Recommended surfaces:

• Decking
• Outdoor furniture
• Interior/exterior timber

Best Deck Coating Product #3: Intergrain Ultradeck

Type of deck finish: Water-based

Practical advantages of Intergrain Ultradeck:

• Extremely long-lasting
• Fast-drying
• Long lasting weather protection
• Lower environmental impact and odour compared to a typical solvent-based equivalent
• Unique hydro guard technology to guard the timber against Australia’s harsh conditions and the abrasive effects of foot traffic

Aesthetics:

• Beautiful transparent low satin finish
• Lightly pigmented natural colour
• Mild tone to showcase your timber species’ unique characteristics

Recommended surfaces:

• Decking and exterior timber

Application:

• Applied with a brush

Best Deck Coating Product #4: Sikkens Cetol Deck

Type of deck finish: Oil-based

Practical advantages of Sikkens Cetol Deck:

• Highly water repellent
• Weather resistant
• Exceptionally durable, long lasting finish
• Microporous deck finish that repels moisture while allowing the timber to breathe
• UV and weather resistant
• Easy to apply

Aesthetics:

• High-build transparent coating
• Achieves a satin finish
• Visible wood grain

Recommended surfaces:

• Exterior timber decks and handrails

Application:

• Can be combined with Sikkens Cetol HLSE, which provides UV resistance and durability (two finishing coats over a bottom coat of HLSE)

Best Deck Coating Product #5: Sikkens Cetol Deck Slip Resistant

Type of deck finish: Oil-based

Practical advantages of Sikkens Cetol Deck Slip Resistant:

• Highly water repellent
• Slip-resistant
• UV and weather resistant
• Repels moisture while allowing the timber to breathe
• Easy to apply

Aesthetics:

• Achieves a satin finish
• Textured transparent coating
• Allows the wood grain to show through after application

Recommended surfaces:

• Ideal for exterior timber decks, ramps, outdoor walkways, pool surrounds and stair treads
• Acts as a finishing coat for exterior softwood and hardwood substrates

Application:

• Can be combined with Sikkens Cetol HLSE to enhance the natural beauty of the wood while providing protection and slip resistance (two finishing coats over a bottom coat of HLSE)

Best Deck Coating Product #6: Intergrain DWD

Type of deck finish: Water-based

Practical advantages of Intergrain DWD:

• Highly durable
• Long-lasting timber protection helps your timber deck withstand Australian conditions
• UV resistant
• Tough, weather-resistant finish
• Excellent UV, water and mould resistance
• Low odour

Aesthetics:

• Low sheen and transparent finish
• Formulated to retain the natural appearance of timber decking and exterior timber
• Available in a range of tinted colours

Recommended surfaces:

• Exterior decking

Application:

• Synthetic and pure bristle brush, pad applicator, spray or Cabots decking applicator
• For best results and to achieve the longest lifespan, apply following the three-stage TriShield Application System, with Intergrain Reviva Timber Cleaner, Intergrain Dimension 4 Ultra Primer and Intergrain DWD