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Contractor-Grade Products Built for Chicago Weather Low-VOC & Safer

The Deck Stains & Sealers We Actually Use

Professional-Grade Products, Matched to Your Wood & Chicago's Climate

We don't grab whatever's on the shelf. Every deck, fence, and hardwood surface gets a product chosen for the wood species, the sun and moisture it faces, and how long you want it to last. Here's exactly what we use — and why.

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  • 20+ years finishing decks across Chicagoland
  • Contractor-grade, low-VOC products only
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Contractor-Grade Only

No watered-down box-store coatings

Built for Freeze-Thaw

Products that survive Chicago winters

Low-VOC Formulas

Compliant, safer, low-odor products

Right Product, Right Wood

Matched to your species & exposure

Freshly resurfaced and stained deck showing rich grain

Why the Product Matters as Much as the Prep

You can prep a deck perfectly, but if the finish going on top isn't built for the wood and the weather, it won't last. That's why we standardize on a short list of proven, professional-grade stains, sealers, and hardwood oils — and match the right one to each job.

Every product below is chosen for the same reasons:

  • Deep penetration that protects from the inside, not a film that peels
  • Strong UV blockers to fight the graying and fading our summers cause
  • Real water repellency to beat rain, snowmelt, and freeze-thaw cracking
  • Mildew and mold resistance for shaded, high-moisture Chicago yards
  • Low-VOC formulas that are compliant, low-odor, and easier to maintain

Not sure which finish suits your deck? We bring recommendations and color options to every free on-site estimate.

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The Products We Trust

Four go-to finishes cover the vast majority of the decks, fences, and hardwood surfaces we work on across Chicagoland. Pick a product below to see what it is, why we reach for it, and the colors it comes in.

Decks & Softwoods Freshly stained pergola and deck finished with a warm semi-transparent oil
Rymar Industries

Xtreme Weather Wood Stain & Sealer Our go-to for decks

A breathable, semi-transparent oil that beads water for years

Rymar Xtreme Weather is a low-VOC, natural oil-based stain and sealer in one. It soaks deep into the wood and leaves a durable flat, semi-transparent finish that lets the grain show through while shedding water. It's engineered for wood that lives outdoors — decks, siding, log homes, and fences.

Why we use it

It's built for exactly our climate. PTFE and blended natural oils give standout water beading, while UV absorbers and pigments block the sun that grays a deck. Because it penetrates instead of forming a film, it won't peel — so maintenance is a simple clean-and-recoat, not a full strip.

Used in Deck Staining Used in Deck Sealing Learn more at Rymar
TypeSemi-transparent penetrating oil stain + sealer
Best forCedar, pressure-treated pine, redwood decks & siding
Key protectionWater repellency (PTFE + oils), UV blockers, breathable finish
FinishFlat, natural — no plastic film, won't peel
Sizes4 oz sample, 1 gallon, 5 gallons
Available Colors (12)
Honey Brown
Clear
Kodiak
Nectar
Cedar Honey
Sienna
Cedartone
Ember
Sequoia
Shadow
Pine Cone
Hickory Bark
Water-Based Staining Freshly stained deck finished in a warm cedar tone
Benjamin Moore

Woodluxe Water-Based Stain + Sealer Color & low odor

Waterproofing and color in one water-based coat

Woodluxe is Benjamin Moore's exterior stain-and-sealer line. The water-based formula stains and waterproofs in one step, cleans up with soap and water, and comes in a full range of opacities — from translucent (full grain shows through) all the way to solid. It's mold- and mildew-resistant and UV-resistant.

Why we use it

When a homeowner wants a particular color or a lower-odor, faster-drying finish, Woodluxe is our pick. The opacity range lets us dial in exactly how much grain shows versus how much sun protection you get, and the low-VOC water-based formula is easy to live with during and after the job.

Used in Deck Staining Transparent Options Learn more at Benjamin Moore
TypeWater-based waterproofing stain + sealer
Best forColor projects, hardwoods like mahogany/teak, lower-odor jobs
OpacitiesTranslucent, semi-transparent, semi-solid, solid
Key protectionWaterproofing, UV-resistant, mold & mildew resistant
VOC / cleanupLow-VOC (<100) · soap-and-water cleanup
Opacity Range
Translucent
Semi-Transparent
Semi-Solid
Solid
Fences & Exterior Wood Freshly stained wood privacy fence in a warm brown tone
TWP · Total Wood Preservative

TWP 1500 Series Best for fences

An EPA-registered preservative that protects from the inside out

TWP 1500 Series is a semi-transparent, oil-based penetrating stain and EPA-registered wood preservative. It resists the water absorption that causes warping, cracking, and splitting, and its UV-absorbing pigments plus built-in mildewcides stop wood from graying and growing mold. It's compliant in all 50 states.

Why we use it

Fences take a beating and rarely get the attention decks do, so they need a preservative that lasts with minimal fuss. TWP 1500 penetrates rather than filming, so it never peels — a fence coated with it can simply be cleaned and recoated down the road instead of stripped and refinished.

Used in Sealing Used in Restoration Learn more at TWP
TypeSemi-transparent oil-based penetrating stain / preservative
Best forWood fences, siding, decks, log homes
Key protectionEPA-registered preservative, UV pigments, mildewcides, water resistance
Coverage~150–250 sq ft per gallon
VOC / cleanup250-VOC compliant (all states) · mineral spirits cleanup
Available Colors (10)
Clear
Cedartone
Redwood
Dark Oak
Black Walnut
Calif. Redwood
Honeytone
Rustic
Pecan
Natural
Exotic Hardwoods Rich Ipe hardwood outdoor kitchen finished with a natural penetrating oil
DeckWise

Ipe Oil Hardwood Finish (250 VOC) For premium hardwoods

A deep-penetrating oil made for woods that reject ordinary stains

Dense exotic hardwoods are so tight and oily that most finishes won't absorb or dry properly on them. DeckWise Ipe Oil is formulated specifically for Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Mahogany, and similar woods. Its Transoxide pigments enhance the grain and provide UV protection, while the oil penetrates deep for water repellency — with no surface film to flake or peel.

Why we use it

When a client has a premium hardwood deck, using the wrong product ruins both the look and the investment. Ipe Oil is purpose-built for these woods — it keeps their rich natural color, fights the gray-out, and reduces the checking and cracking that plague hardwood in our climate.

Used in Hardwood Staining Used in Restoration Learn more at DeckWise
TypeOil-based semi-transparent hardwood finish
Best forIpe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Mahogany & other exotic hardwoods
Key protectionTransoxide UV pigments, deep water repellency, grain enhancement
CoverageSmooth wood ~250–300 · rough ~150–250 sq ft per gallon
VOC250-VOC compliant · won't flake or peel
Finish
Natural (semi-transparent)

How We Match the Product to Your Project

There's no single "best" deck stain — only the best one for your wood, your color goal, and how much weather it faces. Here's the quick logic we follow.

If you have A cedar or pressure-treated deck
Rymar Xtreme Weather

Deep-penetrating oil with top-tier water beading and UV defense for softwoods.

If you have A color goal or low-odor preference
Benjamin Moore Woodluxe

Water-based, wide opacity range, easy cleanup and fast turnaround.

If you have A wood fence or lots of vertical wood
TWP 1500 Series

EPA-registered preservative that resists rot and graying with low maintenance.

If you have An Ipe or exotic hardwood deck
DeckWise Ipe Oil

Purpose-built to absorb and dry on dense hardwoods without a peeling film.

Have something else — composite, a mixed-material deck, or a color you already love? We'll confirm the right approach at your free estimate. Explore the options on our deck staining and deck sealing pages.

Products & Materials FAQs

What homeowners ask us about the stains and sealers we use

We standardize on a short list of proven, professional-grade finishes. Most often we reach for Rymar Xtreme Weather on cedar and pressure-treated decks, and Benjamin Moore Woodluxe when a specific color or a low-odor water-based finish is the priority. The final choice depends on your wood species, color goal, and how much sun and moisture the surface faces.
Contractor-grade stains and sealers penetrate deeper, carry stronger UV blockers and water repellents, and are formulated to survive Chicago's freeze-thaw cycles. Cheaper film-forming coatings tend to peel and trap moisture, which means more frequent and more expensive stripping and refinishing down the road.
Absolutely. If you already love a color or have a brand in mind, we'll work with it whenever it's appropriate for your wood and exposure. We also bring color options to every free estimate so you can see how each finish looks on your deck before you commit.
It depends on the product, the wood, and sun and moisture exposure, but a properly applied penetrating finish typically protects for roughly 2 to 4 years before a simple maintenance recoat. Because these products penetrate instead of forming a film, upkeep is usually a clean-and-recoat rather than a full strip.
The finishes we favor are low-VOC and compliant with current regulations. Woodluxe is a low-odor water-based formula, and our oil-based options are VOC-compliant. Always refer to the manufacturer's current technical and safety data sheets for specifics.

Related Services & Guides

See these products in action, or read up before you book your project.

Our Services

See these finishes applied

Deck Staining Deck Sealing Deck Restoration IPE Deck Services Fence Restoration

Helpful Reading

Guides from our blog

8 Deck Staining Tips Professional Prep & Power Washing Ipe Deck Maintenance Staining vs. Painting

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Seven offices serving homeowners across Chicagoland.

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127 E Lake St Suite 203A, Bloomingdale, IL 60108 (630) 703-7747

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118 Barrington Commons Ct Ste 222 D, Barrington, IL 60010 (847) 979-9299

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1 N State St Ste 1515, Chicago, IL 60602 (773) 997-1817

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Not Sure Which Finish Your Deck Needs?

We'll inspect your wood, recommend the right product and color, and give you an honest price — all at a free, no-pressure on-site estimate. See our full deck staining and sealing services.

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Product names, brands, and trademarks — including Rymar® Xtreme Weather, Benjamin Moore® Woodluxe®, TWP® 1500 Series, and DeckWise® Ipe Oil® — are the property of their respective manufacturers. Deck Doc is an independent contractor and is not affiliated with or endorsed by these manufacturers. Color swatches shown are approximate representations and may vary from the finished result depending on wood species, age, and condition. Specifications are summarized from manufacturer data; always refer to the manufacturer's current technical and safety data sheets.

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