There are several main categories of deck stain. The first is clear stains, which are essentially there to seal out water and preserve the wood without adding color to the deck. These can bring out the beauty in your grain, however. The next type (and a popular option) is a semi-transparent stain. They impart some color into the wood for aesthetic purposes. Finally, solid stains coat your deck’s surface like paint. This is the best option if you want to hide imperfections. Talk to a deck staining contractor today to discuss other stain options.