How long a stain will last depends on many factors. Climate, weather, sun exposure, moisture and foot traffic are just a few. Stain longevity is also highly affected by proper wood prepping. Before applying any deck stain the wood should be cleaned and prepped correctly prior. This will aid in the performance and longevity of the deck stain. On average most deck stains last a year or two.
Another huge factor determining how long a stain will last is the stain quality. A stain like Defy that penetrates extremely well will stand the test of time better than a non-penetrating or film forming stain. Defy deck stain uses an exclusive technology of zinc oxide nanoparticles combined with synthetic resins that reflect harmful sun rays like no other water based stain on the market. This innovative high performance deck stain showed very little UV fading after 2 years on vertical surfaces. Good color retention was also noted on horizontal surfaces such as deck flooring and handrails.