Sikkens Cetol SRD Semi-Transparent Stain

Sikkens Cetol SRD Semi-Transparent Stain not only excels in simulated durability testing, but also earns praise from professionals who stain houses, decks and other exterior surfaces for a living. No semi-transparent stain will ever last as long as a solid stain or paint, ConsumerReports.org says, but semi-transparent stains such as Sikkens Cetol SRD do have one big advantage: Unlike solid stains and paints, which form a water-tight film on top of wood, experts say semi-transparent stains penetrate the wood itself, so they won't flake or peel the way paint or solid stain can after being exposed to the elements. This makes semi-transparent stains the experts' choice for horizontal surfaces like decks -- which suffer harsher abuse from the sun and moisture than do vertical surfaces such as siding -- and for rough surfaces such as cedar shakes. Like the top-recommended exterior paint, Sherwin-Williams Duration (*Est. $55 per gallon), Sikkens Cetol SRD Semi-Transparent Stain is also one of the most expensive exterior finishes you can buy, but the pros say it's worth it. If you want a more opaque stain for a vertical surface such as siding, reviews recommend Sikkens Rubbol Siding Finish (*Est. $40 per gallon).

We found the best review of Sikkens Cetol SRD Semi-Transparent Stain at ConsumerReports.org which tests and ranks 14 exterior stains. Tim Carter, who writes the syndicated column AskTheBuilder.com, cites Sikkens Cetol as a top-five finisher in a college laboratory's exterior stain test. Professional contractors who post at DIYChatroom.com and PaintTalk.com also recommend Sikkens stains, including the Cetol SRD Semi-Transparent formula. The U.S. Forest Service recommends penetrating, oil-based wood stains (such as Sikkens Cetol SRD, although no brands are mentioned) for rough wood surfaces.