HomeOutdoor Living IdeasCan You Stain Composite Decking?

Can You Stain Composite Decking?

February 4, 2021
Can you stain composite decking featuring TimberTech PRO Legacy Collection Pecan

How often should you stain composite decking to maintain its color? The good news is, you don’t need to stain TimberTech® decking at all. Our capped polymer and capped composite decking is designed to be enduringly beautiful and low maintenance; it shouldn’t be stained or painted like a traditional wood deck.

Why no stain? Because our decking is engineered to look as beautiful and richly hued on day 1,000 as it did on day 1. Plus, with the wide range of colors and finishes available in our decking lines, you’re bound to find the right color.

Enjoy the Nature-Inspired Beauty of Wood Without the Hassle

TimberTech deck boards are made with nature-inspired aesthetics that resemble traditional wood stains and grain patterns.

Without the labels, would you be able to tell which boards below are traditional wood vs composite decking?

All our deck boards are designed to retain their rich colors for years to come, but without the need for staining and sealing. That saves you from difficult and costly maintenance work.

Colors & Grain Patterns for Every Style

TimberTech offers a color portfolio that features your favorite stained and painted wood looks. There’s no need to stain composite decking to get the look you want. With our varied color portfolio, you’re bound to find the right color to suit your style – no staining required.

Can you stain composite decking no need with TimberTech styles for the traditionalist

For the Traditionalist

Features: Complex, multi-color blending with a wire-brushed, straight-grain pattern.

Resembles: An authentic, premium hardwood look.

Can you stain composite decking no need with TimberTech styles for the contemporary

For the Contemporary

Features: Cascading color blending and variable wood grain patterns with a hand-scraped finish.

Resembles: An artisanal, reclaimed wood look.

Can you stain composite decking no need with TimberTech styles for the minimalist

For the Minimalist

Features: Monochromatic, solid colors with a traditional cathedral wood grain pattern.

Resembles: A chic painted wood look.

TimberTech Decking: No Staining, No Fading

Who doesn’t want a freshly stained deck with no stripping and a rich saturated hue? The problem is that traditional wood deck stains will begin to fade soon after they’re applied.

To get that freshly stained look and keep it without the hassle, opt for no-stain-needed composite decking, which holds its rich color for decades – not days.

Better Tech, Better Deck.™

So, how do we get rich color that doesn’t fade? Instead of a stain having to permeate a porous wood deck board to color it, our deck boards feature engineered polymers extruded in consistent, rich saturation of hue – so there’s nothing to evaporate in the sun or heat. Our technology-driven deck boards are specifically engineered to resist the weathering agents that will inevitably fade wood.

TimberTech vs Wood: Exposure Test*


TimberTech AZEK Exposure Test

TimberTech AZEK® Exposure Test

Ipe Wood Exposure Test

Ipe Wood Exposure Test

*Ipe and cedar exposure tests demonstrate results of internal testing whereby the Ipe and cedar wood samples were placed on a rooftop and left exposed to the elements continuously for approximately 11 months.

Fade & Stain Warranties

With traditional wood, you’d be hard-pressed to find a warranty on your deck’s color. With TimberTech decking, we offer industry-leading Fade & Stain Warranties ꟷ in the case of our TimberTech AZEK® decking line, your deck is covered for up to 50 years. That’s how confident we are in the integrity and durability of our decking’s color.

Designed for Durability & Enduring Beauty

TimberTech uses advanced material technology that not only creates a variety of nature-inspired aesthetics for our deck boards, but protects them, too. Each deck board is coated by our proprietary capping material that locks in rich color and resists fading, staining, and even wear and tear like scratching.

With our capping technology, there’s no need to stain composite decking from TimberTech to maintain its color. Our deck boards do all the work for you.

No staining also means:

  • No uneven color distribution or unsightly striping.
  • No difficult labor via a staining project.
  • No potentially harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Minimal Maintenance Required

The only maintenance your TimberTech deck will need is a periodic cleaning to keep it looking its best.

TimberTech DeckCleaner for Capped Composite & Capped Polymer Decking

How to Clean Your TimberTech Deck

Cleaning your TimberTech deck involves using our specially formulated TimberTech DeckCleaner™, which is safe for use on all three of our decking lines.

Simply scrub a small section of your deck with the cleaner and rinse thoroughly. Use a mop or towel to dry any standing water and then let the deck air-dry.

So, can you stain composite decking? Why would you when you can choose TimberTech decking that delivers the rich colors and nuanced grain patterns you want, with no staining or painting required? See the beauty for yourself by ordering up to four free samples.

See & feel the TimberTech advantage

Our capped polymer and capped composite decking lines combine recycled material with all the beauty of traditional wood.

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