Especially on the West Coast, the natural look is key, from cherry entertainment centers to granite kitchen countertops. If I'm going to spend the money to do the job, I want to get as much longevity out of it as possible. Colored coatings, particularly the darker ones, block the light better. Otherwise, the UV rays do a number on wood. Color finishes will also hide blemishes on an older deck better.
Many consumers love the look of clear.
This is one area where going for the high-quality material really does make a difference. Acrylic house paint is not designed to go on horizontal surfaces. You get foot traffic on them, and they fail very quickly. Rader recommends a penetrating finish, the overwhelming favorite of those interviewed. I'm more interested in preserving the wood, so when water does penetrate the wood, you've got some resins and different things in there to preserve and protect.