Sherwin-Williams Exterior Wood Stain: WoodScapes vs SuperDeck
Sherwin-Williams exterior wood stain comes in two main families: WoodScapes for vertical surfaces like siding and fences, and SuperDeck for horizontal decks. The WoodScapes data sheet says not to use it where water can collect, so a siding stain on a deck floor is the most common wrong pick. This guide covers coverage, dry times, VOC, and prep rules straight from the data sheets.
Sherwin-Williams Exterior Wood Stain: Which Line Fits Your Project?
Best Stain Brush Pick |
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Purdy Syntox Flat Trim Brush, 2-1/2 Inch, $22.99 The Sherwin-Williams data sheets name a nylon-polyester brush such as Purdy Syntox for applying these stains, and brushing the stain into the wood is the step this guide keeps coming back to.
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Match the stain to the surface first and the color second. Sherwin-Williams sorts its exterior wood stains by how the surface sheds water, not by how the stain looks.
- Siding, trim, and fence boards: WoodScapes Exterior Acrylic Solid Color Stain, which its data sheet describes as made for most vertical exterior wood surfaces.
- Decks, steps, and rails: SuperDeck, which comes as a waterborne solid color, a waterborne semi-transparent, and an oil-based transparent stain. Our SuperDeck types and colors guide goes deeper on that line.
- Picking an exact color: use the Sherwin-Williams stain colors chart for SW codes, since the same color name can carry a different code in each line.
This page stays on the practical question of which product, how much, and what the label limits you to. If you are weighing Sherwin-Williams against another brand, our Cabot vs Sherwin-Williams deck stain comparison covers that head to head.
Sherwin-Williams Exterior Stain Specs From the Data Sheets
These numbers come from four Sherwin-Williams product data sheets we read in full on 2026-10-05, not from marketing copy. Dry times are at 50 percent relative humidity and 77°F unless noted. Sheets get revised, so check the label on your can if the batch is new.
| Product (data sheet) | Built for | Coverage (sq ft/gal) | Dry time | Coats | VOC (g/L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WoodScapes Acrylic Solid Color (A15-50, 07/2020) | Vertical wood: siding, plywood, trim | 200-400 | Touch 2 hr; recoat 5 hr at 45°F and up, 24-48 hr at 35-45°F | 2 coats on all listed wood types | 87 |
| SuperDeck Waterborne Solid Color (SD7-251, 03/2025) | Decks, siding, fencing, steps, rails | 200-400 | Touch 1 hr; recoat 2-4 hr; ready for use 24 hr | 2 coats, never more than 2 | 93 |
| SuperDeck Waterborne Semi-Transparent (114.31, 12/2019) | Bare wood decks, steps, rails, outdoor furniture | 100-350 | Touch 1 hr; recoat 4 hr minimum, 7 days maximum | 2 coats required | under 50 |
| SuperDeck Oil-Based Transparent (114.22, 09/2020) | Decks, doors, siding, fences, shutters, shakes | 200-400 | Touch 8 hr; ready for use 24-48 hr | 1 coat only | under 550 |
Two numbers worth a second look. First, the semi-transparent SuperDeck covers as little as 100 sq ft per gallon, half the low end of the solid stains, so budget more of it on rough or weathered boards. Second, the oil-based transparent stain is listed as non-compliant with OTC, SCAQMD, CARB, and Canadian VOC rules on its sheet, so whether you can buy it depends on where you live.
📊 WoodScapes Solid Color Stain: 200-400 sq ft per gallon at 4-8 mils wet, 87 g/L VOC. Source: Sherwin-Williams WoodScapes product page and data sheet
WoodScapes: Siding, Fences, and Trim
WoodScapes Exterior Acrylic Solid Color Stain is a waterborne, mildew-resistant coating that can go on at air, surface, and material temperatures as low as 35°F. It must stay above 35°F for 48 hours after application, and the surface should be at least 5°F above the dew point. Rain or snow within 2-3 hours is the cutoff the sheet gives for avoiding damage.
Sherwin-Williams Fence Stain: Which Line to Use
A fence is a vertical surface, so WoodScapes solid color is the line the data sheet points to, and it uses the same 200-400 sq ft per gallon range as the siding. If you want the grain to show instead, SuperDeck Oil-Based Transparent lists fences, siding, shutters, and shakes among its uses, but it is a one-coat stain with a much higher VOC. Our best fence stain guide compares opacity levels across brands.
One interpretation worth flagging: the WoodScapes sheet excludes horizontal surfaces where water may collect, and it does not name fences specifically. Flat fence caps and horizontal top rails hold water the way a deck does, so those are the spots where this reading of the sheet suggests asking your Sherwin-Williams store before committing.
Cedar and Redwood Tannin Bleed
Cedar and redwood carry a colored extract called tannin. The WoodScapes sheet warns that the first coat may show tannin discoloration, which the first coat traps, and that a second coat evens out the look. In severe cases and at knots, it calls for one coat of exterior oil-based wood primer before staining. That is the practical reason to plan two coats on cedar rather than one.
Sherwin-Williams also sells its SuperDeck Revive product for tannin bleed and nail stains on decks, per the SuperDeck data sheets. For a fence or siding, test a small hidden area first, as the sheets recommend.
SuperDeck: Three Different Stains Under One Name
The biggest mistake with SuperDeck is treating it as one product. The waterborne solid, the waterborne semi-transparent, and the oil-based transparent have different rules, and the data sheets are blunt about them.
- Oil-based transparent: one coat only. The sheet says a second coat will not penetrate or adhere properly, leaving a glossy surface that stays tacky. If the wood still looks thirsty, the only fix is to let it weather until water no longer beads before recoating.
- Waterborne semi-transparent: two coats, on a clock. Two coats are required for proper color, and the second must go on within 7 days of the first. The sheet also says it is not for composite decking, painted wood, or previously coated surfaces.
- Waterborne solid color: two coats, no more. The 2025 sheet says to apply no more than two coats, and its tips say to use two on all surfaces. It lists some composite decking materials with an asterisk telling you to consult the decking maker first.
That last point answers a question that shows up in Bing data: people search for Sherwin-Williams stain on Trex-type composite decking. Based on the sheets, the semi-transparent is ruled out, and the solid is only an option after checking the decking manufacturer’s own staining instructions. See our oil vs water-based deck stain comparison for how the two chemistries behave in practice.
📊 SuperDeck Solid Color Stain: touch dry in 1 hour and ready for use in 24 hours at 77°F, 48 hours at 35-45°F. Source: Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck Solid Color product page and data sheet
Weather and Wood-Moisture Limits by Product
The limits below decide whether a Saturday is a staining day. They are the part of the sheets most people skip and the most common reason a stain fails early.
| Product | Minimum temperature | Rain-free window | Wood moisture |
|---|---|---|---|
| WoodScapes Solid Color | Do not apply below 35°F; stay above 35°F for 48 hr | Avoid rain or snow for 2-3 hr | Do not apply over wet or damp surfaces |
| SuperDeck Solid Color | Do not apply if temps will fall below 35°F; best at 50-90°F surface temp | No rain or snow expected for 24 hr | Ideally 15% or less moisture content |
| SuperDeck Semi-Transparent | Best at 50-90°F surface temp; stay above 50°F for 24 hr | Not stated in the sheet | May be damp from weathering or cleaning, up to 25% moisture |
| SuperDeck Oil-Based Transparent | Do not apply below 50°F | No rain expected for 24 hr | Do not apply over wet or damp surfaces |
The moisture column is the real information gain. Only the waterborne semi-transparent is cleared for damp wood, and only up to 25 percent moisture. A cheap pin-type moisture meter settles the question in seconds, and it saves a deck from the tacky, blotchy results the sheets warn about.
Prep and Application Rules From the Data Sheets
- Run the water test. Sprinkle water on the bare wood. If it soaks in quickly, the wood is ready. If it beads up, there is an old finish or contaminant to remove first.
- Clean the surface. The sheets list Deck Wash for mildew and algae, Revive for tannin and nail stains, and Stain & Sealer Remover for old coatings. See our guide to the best way to clean a wood deck for the mechanics.
- Treat mildew carefully. The sheets give a mix of 1 part liquid bleach to 3 parts water, left on the surface for 10 minutes, then rinsed thoroughly. Never add detergent or ammonia, and wear eye protection and waterproof gloves. Test any cleaner on a hidden spot because bleach can discolor existing finishes.
- Sand mill glaze. The glossy skin on new smooth-sawn wood has to be sanded off or the stain will not penetrate.
- Protect against lead. The sheets warn that sanding or scraping old paint can release lead dust. Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator and clean up with a HEPA vacuum and wet mop.
- Apply in shade. Do not stain in direct sun or on a hot surface. Work a board from end to end, keep a wet leading edge, and stain from a dry area into the wet area to avoid lap marks.
- Back-brush. While the stain is still wet, brush it into the wood fibers. The sheets call for this when spraying and recommend it on the waterborne SuperDeck stains.
- Clean up. Waterborne stains clean up with soap and warm water. Flush spray equipment with a compliant cleanup solvent afterward to prevent rusting.
For tools, the WoodScapes sheet lists a nylon-polyester brush, a 3/8 to 3/4 inch nap synthetic roller cover, and airless spray at 2200-2400 psi with a .019-.021 inch tip. A deck that has been stained before is a different job, and our how to restain a deck guide covers stripping versus sanding.
How Much Stain You Need
Divide the surface area by the coverage on the sheet to get gallons per coat. The sheets note that new wood normally takes less than old, weathered wood, because older wood is more porous.
| Surface area | Gallons per coat at 200-400 sq ft/gal | Gallons for 2 coats |
|---|---|---|
| 200 sq ft (a short fence run) | 0.5 to 1 | 1 to 2 |
| 400 sq ft (a small deck or one house wall) | 1 to 2 | 2 to 4 |
| 800 sq ft (a large deck or two house walls) | 2 to 4 | 4 to 8 |
Use the low end of the range only on smooth, new wood. For rough-sawn or weathered boards, plan on the high end, and for the semi-transparent SuperDeck at 100-350 sq ft per gallon, plan on more again.
Where to Buy Sherwin-Williams Exterior Stain
The data sheets direct readers to sherwin-williams.com and Sherwin-Williams representatives. When we searched Amazon’s catalog on 2026-10-05 for Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck and WoodScapes, we found only color-sample and fan-deck items, no stain cans. That is why the product box above recommends the brush instead of a can of stain. Check current prices with Sherwin-Williams directly, since the sheets do not list any.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use WoodScapes stain on a deck?
No. The WoodScapes data sheet says it is not for horizontal surfaces such as a roof, deck, or floor where water may collect, and tells you to use SuperDeck Solid Color Deck Stain on decks and patios instead.
How long does Sherwin-Williams exterior stain take to dry?
At 77 degrees F, SuperDeck Solid Color is touch dry in 1 hour and can be recoated in 2-4 hours. WoodScapes is touch dry in 2 hours and recoatable in 5 hours at 45 degrees F and up, or 24-48 hours at 35-45 degrees F. SuperDeck Oil-Based Transparent takes 8 hours to touch and 24-48 hours before use.
Can you put a second coat on SuperDeck oil-based transparent stain?
No. The data sheet says to apply only one coat because a second coat will not penetrate or adhere properly, leaving a glossy, tacky surface. Let the wood weather until water no longer beads before applying anything else.
What is the VOC of Sherwin-Williams exterior stains?
On the data sheets we read, WoodScapes Solid Color is 87 g/L, SuperDeck Waterborne Solid Color is 93 g/L, SuperDeck Waterborne Semi-Transparent is under 50 g/L, and SuperDeck Oil-Based Transparent is under 550 g/L. Check the label on your can, since formulas get revised.
Can you use SuperDeck semi-transparent stain on Trex or composite decking?
No. The SuperDeck Waterborne Semi-Transparent data sheet says not to use it on composition board or composite decking. The solid color version lists some composite decking materials only with a note to consult the decking manufacturer for staining procedures.
Sherwin-Williams does not publish a service life in the data sheets we read, so we have not quoted one. How long a stain lasts depends on the wood, the prep, and sun exposure, which is why the water test and moisture limits above matter more than any year count.
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