Protect your deck, fence, and both indoor and outdoor wooden furniture throughout the year with an easy-to-apply wood sealer. This protective layer helps preserve wood’s quality and appearance by guarding against moisture, sun damage, and other elements.
With numerous options on the market, we’ve narrowed down our top wood sealer picks across five categories to help you find the best product for your needs. Continue reading to discover our recommendations and what factors to consider when choosing a wood sealer.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Minwax Helmsman Indoor/Outdoor Spar Urethane
Budget Option
Thompson’s Waterseal Wood Protector
Most Versatile
Hope’s 100% Pure Tung Oil
Best Overall
Minwax Helmsman Indoor/Outdoor Spar Urethane
The Minwax Helmsman Indoor/Outdoor Spar Urethane is our top pick for wood sealer due to its versatile four-season protection. It features special oils for flexibility with temperature changes and offers a protective barrier against rain, snow, and moisture, preventing mildew, fungus, and sun damage. Quick-drying, it allows for a second coat in just four hours and dries fully in 24 hours.
Suitable for a wide range of surfaces like windows, doors, and more, it can also be used on furniture and decorative items. Available in satin, semi-gloss, and gloss finishes, it dries crystal-clear, allowing for personal preference in finish.
Pros:
- For use on interior and exterior wood
- Available in satin, semi-gloss, and gloss finishes
- Contains UV blockers to prevent fading
Cons:
- Not recommended for flooring
- 24-hour total drying time
Budget Option
Thompson’s Waterseal Wood Protector
Thompson’s Waterseal Wood Protector is an affordable, efficient wood sealer offering extensive coverage with just a single coat, protecting up to 400 square feet per gallon. It provides year-round water damage protection while preserving the wood’s natural look without yellowing. Its effectiveness is proven by its use on the Cave of the Winds decks at Niagara Falls.
For optimal protection, reapplication is recommended every 8 to 12 months, and application conditions should be at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. While a second coat is optional, it should be applied 30 days after the first, and warming the product slightly can ease the application process.
Pros
- Prevents yellowing
- Only one coat needed
Cons
- Made for outdoor use only
- Effectiveness can wear off over time; reapply once a year
Most Versatile
Hope’s 100% Pure Tung Oil
Hope’s 100% Pure Tung Oil is an ideal, all-natural wood sealer, perfect for any wooden surface, including food-contact areas like cutting boards and countertops. Derived from Tung nut crops, it’s non-toxic once dry, offering a safe solution for various applications. It penetrates deep into wood, curing to a flexible solid that enhances durability against moisture, alcohol, oil, and wear and tear.
Application is straightforward: apply and let it cure at room temperature. Available in 16-, 32-, and 128-ounce sizes, either singly or in two-packs, it’s more long-lasting than mineral and wax-based products. The only noted drawback is its variable odor, which some users find strong, while others do not notice.
Pros
- Made from 100% Tung oil, a natural product
- Multi-use
- Non-toxic when dry; great to use on food contact surface
Cons
- May have a stronger smell
Best Outdoor Option
Ready Seal Exterior Stain And Sealer
Ready Seal Exterior Stain and Sealer offers a “goof-proof” user experience, making it exceptionally easy to apply with a sprayer, roller, or brush without the need for dilution or thinning. This oil-based sealer guarantees a smooth finish free from runs, laps, or streaks, and can be applied at any temperature. Initially dark upon application, it settles to its true color within 14 days.
Available in eight different stains, it allows for aesthetic customization. For spray applications, using canvas drop cloths is advised to minimize mess.
Pros
- No primer needed
- Stain and sealer in one
- Available in eight stains
Cons
- Can’t be applied to painted or newly-stained surfaces
- A costlier option
Best for Indoor Use
Minwax Polycrylic Protective Wood Finish
Minwax Polycrylic Protective Wood Finish is a water-based sealer that safeguards interior wood surfaces and furniture against scuffs, scratches, and spills, ensuring they remain pristine. This fast-drying, clear solution provides a classic sheen finish without yellowing, enhancing durability while maintaining an easy-to-clean surface with soap and water.
Although multiple coats are required for the desired finish, its effectiveness and low-odor formula make it a worthwhile choice for those sensitive to smells, facilitating a more pleasant indoor application experience.
Pros
- Fast-drying
- Easy to clean
- Low odor
Cons
- Need to apply multiple coats
Wood Sealer Buyer’s Guide
When selecting a wood sealer, it’s essential to consider your project’s specific requirements, environmental factors, and the sealer’s characteristics to ensure long-lasting protection and aesthetics. Here’s a concise guide to help you choose the right wood sealer:
1. Intended Use
- Location: Indoor, outdoor, or both?
- Application: Furniture, fences, flooring, decks?
- Wood Condition: New, weathered, previously sealed?
- Finish: Natural, enhanced, stained?
2. Environmental Concerns
- Humidity: Look for mildew and fungus-resistant products.
- Sunlight: UV-resistant sealers are necessary for sunny areas.
3. Application Details
- Coats & Dry Time: Single or multiple coats? Consider dry times to match your schedule.
- Cost Efficiency: Fewer coats can save money and time.
4. Types of Wood Sealers
- Oil-based vs. Water-based:
- Oil-based: Durable, penetrates deeply, use outdoors with caution.
- Water-based: Lighter, breathable, suitable for indoor use, easy cleanup.
5. Opacity Options
- Solid: Hides grain, paint-like finish, highest UV protection, challenging maintenance.
- Semi-transparent: Shows some grain, natural appearance, easier maintenance.
- Transparent: Clear, shows all grain, minimal UV protection, natural finish.
Key Considerations
- Choose based on the specific needs of your project: location, wood type, and desired finish.
- Factor in environmental conditions: humidity and UV exposure can dictate the best sealer type.
- Consider the application process: time constraints, number of coats, and ease of maintenance.
- Understand the properties of oil-based vs. water-based sealers: each has its benefits depending on the use case.
- Select the right opacity: based on the desired look and the level of grain visibility you prefer.
This guide aims to streamline your selection process by focusing on crucial factors that affect the performance and appearance of wood sealers, ensuring you make an informed decision for your next project.
Best Wood Sealers Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you seal your deck?
You should generally reapply wood sealer to your deck at least once every three years. Depending on factors such as sun exposure, moisture, and foot traffic, you’ll need to reseal your deck once or twice a year.
Should I seal all sides of the wood?
No, it is not necessary to seal all sides of the wood. For instance, you do not need to seal the underside of a wooden kitchen table or the underside of a butcher block. For a wood deck, you’ll definitely want to seal all sides of the wood that are exposed to the sun and elements, predominantly the top and sides.
How do I smooth wood after sealing?
You can smooth the wood’s surface after the first coat of wood sealer has fully dried. Use fine sandpaper to gently sand the surface for a super smooth finish.
Wrapping up the Best Wood Sealers
Using wood sealer is a great way to maintain the integrity of your project for seasons to come. You can’t go wrong with using a high-quality product like the Minwax Helmsman Indoor/Outdoor Spar Urethane, which is designed to protect both interior and exterior wooden surfaces. Use it to keep your wood fixtures looking new for longer and save time on maintenance work.
If you’re looking for more ways to jazz up your wooden furniture and surfaces, check out our page on how to paint wooden furniture for more ideas.