Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Water takes a toll on a wood deck’s finish, ...

Next time you've got a painting project, give gel stains some consideration. Like traditional wood stains, it's oil-based and will absorb into unfinished wood, but gel stains won't put the grain on ...

Most stores stock wood stain in every shade of brown despite a manufacturer’s spectrum that includes vivid reds, deep blues, and even bright whites. Picking colors is definitely the fun part. But ...

You might think to switch out light fixtures or upgrade your entryway when you’re planning home improvements, but another way to update your deck, railings, and ...

Have you ever used a stain to change the appearance of a piece of bare wood in your home? Did the job turn out like the finish you see on high-end stained cabinets or other furniture? My guess is that ...

Anyone who's ever finished a deck knows to clean it beforehand to strip it of loose wood, mildew, stains, and any flaking remnants of previous finishes. But once you're done and want to apply the ...