The Best Finish for an Outdoor Cedar Deck With UV Protection

Paint

• Paint is a common option for exterior cedar surfaces because it helps mask any graying and weathering that almost inevitably occur with cedar. When selecting a primer and paint for your cedar deck, pick products that are 100-percent acrylic latex -- avoid alkyd, oil-based products. This information is found on the label. Acrylic latex provides a solid base to help keep the wood protected from UV rays and moisture, though a protective top coat is still recommended.

Stain

• As with any type of wood, stain will enhance cedar's wood grain while adding color to give the wood greater depth. For aesthetic purposes, lighter stains in the red or reddish-brown spectrum are recommended to complement cedar's natural pigments, though this depends entirely on your taste. An oil-based stain will help prevent moisture from seeping into the wood, but it will not do much against UV rays -- stain should be used in conjunction with a protective sealer.

Oil-Based Polyurethane

• Oil-based polyurethane may be used with or without paint or stain. If you seal wood with oil-based polyurethane without adding pigment first, the polyurethane will lend the wood a warm, amber glow; oil-based polyurethane tends to turn yellow as it dries. This may prove problematic if you paint the wood a very light color, but you have another option for sealing the deck if you want to use light-colored paints. Oil-based polyurethane products formulated for exterior use contain additives that prevent UV rays from penetrating the wood

Water-Based Polyurethane

• Water-based polyurethane formulated for exterior surfaces offers the same level of protection against moisture and UV rays but will not turn the wood yellow. If you use light-colored paint or if you prefer not to stain or paint at all, go with a water-based polyurethane. Although the compound is typically a milky-white color in the can, it dries perfectly clear. Both types of polyurethane come in different finishes -- satin, matte and glossy -- and each offers the same level of protection.