Best Decking Oil Reviews UK 2023 – Top 10 Comparison

Last Updated on January 10, 2023

Our Favourites

Editors Choice: Ronseal Ultimate Protection
Choice with Natural Colour: Ronseal DPN5L Protector
Anti-Slip Choice: Cuprinol 5097040

A garden isn’t just an extension of your home or a place to hang out in the summertime. For many people, a good garden can be a haven and a place of true relaxation and enjoyment. Whether you use your yard and it’s decking as a place to connect with friends over a spring BBQ, or you’re an avid green thumb who likes to grow their veggies, looking after your outdoor space is crucial.

Choosing the best decking oil for your garden is one of the best ways to transform your exterior space and keep it looking fresher for longer. Regardless of whether you choose clear decking oil, a unique colour, or something specifically designed to reduce the risk of slips and falls, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs on the market today. To help you find the best decking treatment available in the UK right now, we did a little homework on your behalf.

By checking out the latest decking oil reviews and testimonials across the web, we got an insider’s look at which products stand the test of time, and which come up short. Here’s your guide to finding a decking oil that will help you to get the most out of your deck!

How We Compared Decking Oils

To find the right decking oils we considered multiple factors including:

• Weather resistant
• UV protection
• Colour
• Durability

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

To find out more about our process please see here.

Best Decking Oil Reviews – Top 10 Picks

1. Ronseal Ultimate Protection (Editor’s Choice)

Ronseal is probably one of the best-known companies in the UK when it comes to painting and decking oil for decks, sheds, fences, and other garden furniture.

The Ronseal Ultimate Protection decking treatment is designed to penetrate deep into the wood in your garden, offering increased resiliency and durability over time. What’s more, the lightly tinted colouring means that you can get a nice natural colour for your deck.

Ronseal Ultimate Protection is a great decking oil for those who want a longer-lasting finish on their hardwood decking. With a minimal tint, you get to enhance the natural appeal of the wood in your garden and avoid the threat of things like mould growth. Keep in mind that it’s a good idea to give your deck a thorough wash with a pressure washer before you apply this oil if you want to get the best results. Otherwise, you could end up with oiled-in grime.

Some reviewers said that although the varnish was a little more yellow than they had expected based on the colour on the tin – it wasn’t an unusual or unattractive shade. Additionally, it’s worth noting that this particular oil is best for preserving wood.

2. Ronseal DPN5L Protector (Best Value)

Just because you want the best decking oil for your home doesn’t mean that you can afford to pay a fortune for it. The good news is that the best decking treatment doesn’t always have to be expensive. The Ronseal DPN5L protector is one of the cheapest decking oil products that we found, but it’s also one of the most impressive.

Ronseal’s Protector range makes oiling a deck easy, with simple application and reliable performance. The natural colouring in the oil means that the organic beauty of your wood will stand out after you’re finished painting. What’s more, this decking oil is great at protecting against moisture, mould, and algae growth.

If you’re looking for a water-based decking oil, then Ronseal has a great option to offer. It’s highly recommended in most of the reviews that we read. However, it’s worth noting that it does take quite a while to dry.

3. Cuprinol 5097040 (Best Anti-Slip)

If you’re looking for anti slip decking oil, then we’ve got the perfect option for you – Cuprinol 5097040.

Sometimes, the best decking protection isn’t just something that keeps your deck safe – it’s also something that can ensure that your children and family can enjoy the garden securely too. This reliable decking treatment that protects against mould and algae-like most decking oils, and it comes with long-lasting weather protection.

The anti-slip finish makes it one of the most recommended oils on the market for families, and it’s suitable for use in a wide range of different environments. The anti-slip microbeads help to make all decks safer than standard non-treated wood, especially in the unpredictable UK weather.

One downside is that it can take multiple tins to cover a large area, and you should over-estimate what you need rather than relying exclusively on the guidance on the tin. Additionally, the colour of the oil is a little different from the colour of the decking you see on the tin.

4. Osmo Colourless Teak (Best Clear)

When it comes to decking oiling choices, you’ll find that there are many different colours and shades available. However, a lot of homeowners prefer natural oils that don’t change the organic beauty in their chosen wood. If that’s the case for you, then the best decking oil may be the colourless teak oil from Osmo.

This clear product is an excellent decking protector, great for giving a natural look. Although it’s not completely clear according to some reviews, it’s as close as it can be while still ensuring a high level of protection. There are no artificial elements to the oil, so that you can enjoy the grain of your wood. Keep in mind that wood treated with a clear oil usually ends up getting a wet look, too, so you should expect that when you start painting.

One complaint that we noticed when reading the decking oil reviews for this product was that coverage estimations on the tin are highly understated. You’re going to need a lot more than the tin suggests. Additionally, when it comes to application, you’ll need to slosh it on quite generously over the wood grain.

5. Roxil Liquid 5L (Best Wood Protection)

If you’re looking for more than just a standard decking oil or stain, then you should take a look at the Wood Protection oil from Roxil.

One of the most robust decking oils on the market, this water-based and silicone emulsion, is designed to help you get the most out of your garden while protecting the wood from undesirable issues like rot and mould.

According to Roxil and the decking treatment reviews that we read, this oil is fantastic for long-term performance. With a couple of coats, you’ll have an extra layer of defence for your deck that lasts for up to 10 years. This decking oil can even help to protect your wood against warping and to lose its shape. What’s more, it’s very easy to work with, with no annoying fumes or smell to worry about.

One review suggested that the oil didn’t soak in as well as it could have, but they still thought that they got pretty good results. Additionally, you may find that you don’t get quite as much coverage as the manufacturer suggests on the packaging.

6. Ronseal Ultimate Dark (Best Colour)

While clear decking oil will be the preferred treatment option for a lot of homeowners, some prefer to give their wood a more luxurious look with colour. If you’re looking for a coloured decking oil that still shows plenty of your wood’s natural grain, then you’ll love the rich dark oak shade of this Ronseal product.

Great for those in search of something more vivid and warm, the Ronseal dark oak ultimate protection is robust and easy to apply. Because this coloured decking oil sinks into the wood, it lasts a lot longer than some standard oil-based paints and lacquers. Additionally, Ronseal’s oil requires minimal maintenance. Ronseal claims that its decking oil will be rainproof in 90 minutes, which is great for the UK weather. However, according to one decking oil review we read, it does take a while to prepare the product for use, as you have to stir it very vigorously.

Another point to keep in mind is that, like with a lot of the decking oil options you can buy online today, the colour might be slightly different from what you see on the tin.

7. Ronseal Ultimate Grey (Best Grey)

If the organic wood grain decking oils that seem to be everywhere today aren’t your style, then you can always try something different for your decking protector. The Ronseal ultimate protection oil in grey offers a smooth and compelling appearance while giving your garden a unique monochrome look.

Like the other products in the Ronseal portfolio, the oil can easily waterproof and protect your deck. What’s more, this decking oil soaks into the core of the wood, making it waterproof in 90 minutes. Recommended for use on pre-treated decking, this oil from Ronseal can restore the beauty of your deck and protect it against unwanted moisture, algae, and mould too. Just make sure that you remove any loose or flaking old paint before you get started and clean your deck thoroughly too.

This decking oil is very easy to apply, with no strong smell or overwhelming fumes. However, some reviewers said that it took longer for the oil to dry than stated on the tin. Even in warm weather, you might be waiting around for a while.

8. Ronseal rslundono4lav (Best Long-Lasting)

Ronseal’s ultimate protection oil in natural oak is one of the best decking oil options on the market today.

If you’re looking for an oil that’s great at trying fast, suitable for a range of environments, and fantastic for defending against UV filters, then this could be the product for you. Like similar decking oil options, this solution from Ronseal is great for those who want to enhance the natural hardwood decking that they have in their garden.

The Linseed oil in the product is great for protecting against water and moisture. What’s more, Ronseal suggests that it only takes around 90 minutes for your decking to become rainproof. However, do keep in mind that you will have to apply at least 2 coats of this oil before you can start using your deck as normal. Like with most Ronseal products, it’s also important to make sure your decking is clean before you start applying the oil.

Great for giving your deck treatments that final touch, Ronseal is easy to apply and resistant to moisture. However, it does take longer to dry than stated according to some reviews.

9. Nourish and Protect (Best Nourishing)

Both UV resistant and excellent at protecting against moisture and water, the Decking oil nourishes and protect all-in-one product is great for giving you everything you need to get the most out of your decking.

There’s a biocidal film included in the substance to prevent mould and surface algae, which is excellent if you want anti-slip decking. Additionally, this product seems to repel water, so it can’t soak down into your wood and cause warping or discolouration.

Designed for use with various different kinds of wood, the Nourish and Protect Decking oil will help you bring new life to your deck, or make sure that your current wood decking lasts for as long as possible.

According to the garden, decking reviews that we ready, it’s safe for humans and animals alike. The only major downside is that you can’t use it with a spray machine.

10. Manns Premier UV (Best UV Protection)

If you’re looking for a water-based decking oil that can offer excellent UV filters and sun protection, this could be the option for you. The Manns UV decking oil is a reliable option for anyone who wants natural results without a lot of hard work.

The carefully-manufactured oil is excellent at reducing the risk of splitting, warping, and cracking, and it’s perfect for use on fences, sheds, decking, and more.

Ideal for both softwood decking and hardwood decking, Manns oil is suitable for almost any garden chore that you can think of. What’s more, it’s surprisingly easy to apply according to the reviews that we read. One downside, however, is that some people found the oil to be a lot tackier than they expected, and a little more orange in colour.

If you’re looking for a clear oil or something without a lot of extra shade too it, then this might not be the oil for you. However, for UV protection, it works a treat.

What Is the Best Decking Oil?

Choosing the best decking oil isn’t easy. The right decking oil for you will depend on a lot of things, from how much foot traffic you get in your garden, to what kind of colours appeal to you most. Some people prefer oil-based paints, while others like something more natural.

• Before you start applying new substances like Ronseal or liberon decking oil to your garden furniture, ask yourself:
• Is stain or decking oil better for me? Oil is all about protecting the wood that you already have in your garden. In doing so, without changing the look too much. A stain is more on giving your deck extra life by updating its appearance.
• How often should I oil my decking? The more you need to oil your decking, the more durable you want your oil to be. Think about how much rain your deck is typically exposed to, as this will gradually warp and damage the wood.
• What kind of appearance do I want to create? Are you looking for a natural decking oil that boosts the natural appearance of your wood, or do you want something that’s going to darken the boards when applied?

Different decking oils come with their unique benefits. If you have a family, then you might need anti-slip decking oil to protect them from accidents. On the other hand, if you need to update your woodwork quickly (before it rains), anything that’s fast at drying will be a huge boost.

Remember, make sure that you know how to apply decking oil before you get started. While you might be able to put a stain over an oiled deck, you can’t put decking oil over a stain and expect to get the same results. You’ll need to start with fresh and clean wood so that the oil can really soak down into the grain and protect it from the inside out.

Choosing Your Decking Oil

The good news for today’s garden lovers is that there are decking oils available to suit virtually every style. Whether you’re looking for the best decking oil that enhances your natural wood, decking oil that supports your deck and protects it from UV rays, or decking oil with a unique colour, you can find something that suits you.

Our favourite choice for this particular decking oil review has to be the Ronseal ultimate protection. Not only is Ronseal one of the best-known companies in the UK for decking oil and similar products, but this particular substance is durable, easy to use, and reliable. The decking oil is natural in colour, and it’s brimming with extra features to help prevent mould and mildew growth.

How will you be upgrading your decking this year?