Not Sherwin-Williams: The Highest-Ranking Solid Wood Stain On Consumer Reports' List

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When most people think of premium wood stain, Sherwin-Williams often comes to mind. After all, it is a brand with strong name recognition. So, it might come as a surprise to learn that when Consumer Reports put nine solid wood stains through its lab testing program, Sherwin-Williams products landed near the bottom of the rankings. The highest-ranking wood stain was Behr Premium Solid Color Waterproofing Stain & Sealer. Consumer Reports evaluated solid wood stains across multiple performance criteria. This included tracking how each product held up against outdoor exposure as well as how the stains resist dirt, cracking, mildew, and color change. The Behr Premium stain came at the top overall.

According to Consumer Reports, the Behr Premium stain not only held up great for two years of outdoor exposure, but it also did really well against cracking, color change, mildew, and dirt. It did well in the third year, too — just not as good as some other options. Also, note that Consumer Reports' findings reflect lab conditions and standardized outdoor exposure panels rather than real-world use. In real use, the results might differ.

The Behr Premium Solid Color Waterproofing Stain & Sealer is currently priced at around $48.98 per gallon at Home Depot. It is a 100% acrylic, water-based formula. Plus, it is self-priming on most surfaces and covers roughly 200 to 400 square feet on a first coat and up to 800 square feet on a second. You can also get it in over 1,600 custom colors, and it is a good pick if you weatherproof all of your outdoor furniture. You might even be able to use it to weatherproof indoor furniture to use outside.

The Behr Premium stain has over 6,000 ratings on Home Depot's website. It holds an overall score of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with nearly 74% of buyers giving it 5 stars and another 12% awarding it 4 stars. 81% of the reviewers also said that they would recommend it. Put simply, the general sentiment leans positive. Buyers consistently say that the Behr Premium Solid Color Waterproofing Stain & Sealer has good coverage and is easy to apply. Several reviewers also note that it delivered better-than-expected results, even on weathered or older wood. Color accuracy and the breadth of color options also come up frequently as highlights.

However, not all of its reviews are positive. The product has over 400 one-star ratings as well, with multiple buyers saying that the stain peels, bubbles, or flakes well before the advertised lifespan. One reviewer applied the product to a brand-new deck and dock using multiple coats and reported visible peeling and bubbling within less than a year of light use. A handful of reviewers also reported that the product sat on top of the wood rather than soaking in, which led to early failure.

It is also worth noting here that the Behr Premium Solid Color Waterproofing Stain & Sealer cannot be applied without a bit of prep. You must clean the wood before staining. Just make sure that you use cleaners that are safe to use on wood and don't apply the stain too heavily. Applying the Behr Premium stain too heavily is one of the reasons the product can peel and flake over time.