The best decking oil to rejuvenate your garden

Revive your dull, dry decking and prevent warping with a simple coat of the best decking oil and restore that healthy, rich colour you've been looking for within moments. Water damage, dirt and dust can all be prevented by using the correct oil for your decking, and giving it a fresh coat has never been easier.

We've found the most stunning, affordable, and easy-to-apply decking oils from across the UK, all of which are available now, and for a great price.

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What is decking oil?

Decking oil is a type of finish that is used specifically for wooden surfaces. It works by penetrating and feeding the wood, which restores its original colour, prevents warping, and provides some UV protection to prevent further discolouration.

What's the difference between decking oil and decking stain?

Decking stain may seem similar to decking oil, but it's substantially different. Decking stain is essentially a varnish for your decking. It creates a film to seal and protect your decking from rain, mould, algae, and UV rays. Unlike decking oil, decking stain can potentially crack and peel if it's damaged, which is likely after general wear and tear.

How do I apply decking oil?

First things first, clean your deck - use a jetwash or scrub the deck manually, ensuring there's no mould buildup. It's worth using a deck cleaner for this part of the process also. Simply apply deck cleaner to a brush, scrub the deck, and leave for 20 minutes.

Next, open and stir the deck oil, ensuring it isn't too thick and uneven in colour. Pour out the oil into a bucket or tray, and using a paintbrush, coat the edges of the deck that meet the fence to avoid contact with other surfaces such as fences or patio.

Then, using a large decking pad, apply the decking oil with the grain, ensuring the coat is even and isn't too thick. Make sure you remove any excess oil before applying. Keep applying the oil back and forth on the deck - so there are no patches or discolouration.

Let the oil dry for two hours and apply another coat, not applying too much to the brush on the second coating, and it's as simple as that.

The best decking oil

Without further ado, here are the best decking oils available anywhere in the UK...

Specifications:

Size: 5L
Coverage: 8m²/L
Colour: Natural
Material: Water-based
Resistant to: Weather, dust. debris

Pros / cons:

Pros:
Affordable
Rainproof in 90 minutes
Looks fantastic

Cons:
Some customers had issues with receiving the wrong oil on delivery

Our thoughts:

Ronseal's Ultimate Protection Decking Oil is a fantastic solution to drab-looking decking that's prone to swelling. Covering an enormous 8m²/L in just a five-litre can, rest assured you'll have plenty to cover your decking, and maybe have some left over for the shed too.

Customer review: "Great quality and value for money. Easy to use, dry nicely. My deck looks brand new."

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Specifications:

Size: 5L
Coverage: 10m²/L
Colour: Clear
Material: Oil-based
Resistant to: Weather, UV

Pros / cons:

Pros:
Incredibly durable
Fantastic finish on most wood surfaces
Great coverage

Cons:
Expensive
Takes a while to dry

Our thoughts:

Mann's premier UV Decking Oil is considerably more expensive than Ronseal's Ultimate Protection, but it absolutely makes up for this price with offering some of the best protection from UV that any decking oil can offer.

Easy to apply, incredibly weather-resistant, and fantastic for keeping your deck from cracking, splintering and greying, this is a premium decking oil that should not be overlooked.

Customer review: "Goes on very easily and dries quickly. Very good water resistance and makes the decking look great"

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Specifications:

Size: 5L
Coverage: 8m²/L
Colour: Dark oak
Material: Water-based
Resistant to: Weather, UV, dust, debris

Pros / cons:

Pros:
Tough
Quick-drying
Affordable
Perfect for dark surfaces

Cons:
Not as dark as some customers expected it to be

Our thoughts:

For those whose decking is a little darker, Ronseal's Dark Oak Ultimate Protection oil is a fantastic option for keeping mould, UV damage and warping at bay.

At a great price, good coverage and rain protection within 90 minutes, this is a great decking oil for amateur DIYers and professionals alike.

Customer review: "Great value for money. Really good look."

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Specifications:

Size: 5L
Coverage: 8m²/L
Colour: Dark oak
Material: Water-based
Resistant to: Weather, UV

Pros / cons:

Pros:
Affordable
Light and easy to apply
Great for UV protection

Cons:
Some users complained about low coverage

Our thoughts:

For a much lighter finish, Cuprinol's natural UV guard decking oil is yet another fantastic option. Simply apply with a brush or spray and keep your decking completely safe for over a year.

Due to the light colour, however, some users have found two coats to not be quite enough to get that healthy glow they've been looking for, so dependent on the type of timber you have, you may need a little more decking oil than expected.

Customer review: "Last used 2 years ago and finish lasted well. Very good product and so simple to apply by brush. Slightly more expensive but would recommend for quality."

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Specifications:

Size: 2.5L
Coverage: 17m²/L
Colour: Clear
Material: Solvent-based
Resistant to: Weather, UV

Pros / cons:

Pros:
Great coverage
Slip resistance
Only one coat required

Cons:
Expensive

Our thoughts:

Our final pick is a little more expensive, but with the best coverage, great protection, and some anti-slip technology, Barrettine's Decking Oil is one of the best decking oils available in the UK.

Simply apply a single coat of decking oil, leave to dry for up to 12 hours and you're done.

Customer review: "This is a good product and does what it says."

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What should I use to apply decking oil to my deck?

You'll probably need a decking pad to apply a proper even coat (along with some standard paint brushes), here's a great set that'll do the job perfectly well.

Specifications:

Kit contents: Two paint pads, paint tray, adjustable metal handles
Product surface uses: Decking, shed, concrete, fence, garage floors, wooden walls, bricks, ceiling
Additional features: 180° swivel, adjustable angles

Pros / cons:

Pros:
Affordable
Well-made
Sturdy

Cons:
May take some practice to get used to

Our thoughts:

A simple, effective, and all-in-one solution to oiling your deck, this applicator kit is perfect for getting that golden, even finish without patchiness across your wooden surfaces.

If you're planning on using it for other surfaces, rest assured, you'll be able to easily cover brick, concrete and more.

Customer review: "The was the perfect item to apply the wood treatment to the side of a shed. The 6 food panel was easy to reach and the two applicator pads got in all ridges well. It is robust for domestic upkeep jobs needing a longer reach."

What should I use to clean my decking?

Specifications:

Volume: 5L
Coverage: 5m²/L
Protects against: mould, algae

Pros / cons:

Pros:
Fantastic protection from mould
Great value

Cons:
Strong odour may cause drowsiness

Our thoughts:

To prepare for oiling your decking, you have to ensure it's totally clean and mould-free, for that, you'll need a proper cleaning solution. Ronseal's Decking Cleaner and Reviver is a quick, affordable, and effective way to remove any tough mould, mildew or stains. Prepare your decking to be revitalised with the proper oil.

Simply apply using a clean decking pad or scrubbing brush and you'll be ready to oil the decking in no time.

Customer review: "An excellent product which does exactly what the tin says it does. It has restored our decking to a "brand new" look. Easy to use although it took a lot of hosing using water to remove the chemical/soap before we could apply the decking oil. "

Will decking oil kill grass?

Decking oil is toxic to grass and will kill it if you've spilt too much, a little shouldn't be an issue though.

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