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We all love a shining and beautiful deck in our backyard. But maintaining that beauty and shine also comes with a bit of time and investment. Wood stains are there to maintain your deck, and people often seem confused between Penofin vs. Australian timber oil. To protect the natural loom and integrity of the wooden deck, both Penofin and Australian timber oil are pretty popular worldwide. But to determine which one will be suitable for your particular need, I'll do a complete breakdown of both wood stains. Without wasting any time, let's get to it. A Quick Comparison Table Before we get into the differences, let's have a quick look at this comparison table. The table will give you an initial idea about the differences you'll see going forward. Moreover, if you are in a hurry, you'll get the gist of the discussion below from the table. SpecificationPenofinAustralian Timber OilTypeOil-based, Semi-transparentOil-based, Semi-transparentColor OptionNatural Cedar, Transparent Redwood, Mission Brown, and Dark Walnut.Amber wood, Honey Teak, Mahogany Flame, Natural Jarrah Brown OutlookGood for changing appearanceSuitable for enhancing the natural lookProtectionGoodBetterLongevity1 to 5 years1 to 3 yearsApplicationEasier, quicker reapplicationComplex than Penofin takes longer before reapplicationCostCheaperCostlier than Penofin Key differences Between Penofin And Australian Timber Oil After the comparison table, let's move on to the detailed discussion here. I have discussed the different aspects of these deck stains and pointed out the differences in this part. So, let's see what the differences are and how they can affect your decision. Type Click On Image To View On Amazon The first aspect that might affect many people is the transparency and the formula of these items. Luckily, both Penofin and Australian timber oil come under the same formula and transparency level in this scenario. Penofin can be a bit synthetic as stains, but both Penofin and Australian timber oil are semi-transparent and oil-based. The semi-transparent color provides you the best of both worlds, some additional color alongside a slight peeks from the natural color of your wood. As for the oil-based formula, it protects the wood from within. Look The appearance after the application is an essential deciding factor. After all, our primary goal to apply Penofin or Australian timber oil is to get a shining look and protection. So, in that regard, both item brings their own characteristics to the table. Penofin focuses more on providing an artificial look through Natural Cedar, Transparent Redwood, Mission Brown, and Dark Walnut colored tints. On the other hand, Australian timber oil is sort of the opposite here. Though they have Amber wood, Honey Teak, Mahogany Flame, and Natural Jarrah Brown tints, they allow you to flaunt the natural color of your deck more. Protection As I mentioned earlier, protecting our beloved deck is the second goal behind using these protective coatings. And in this regard, both Penofin and Australian timber oil give each other tough competition. With Penofin, you'll get mold and mildew resistance, waterproofing, and protection against UV lights. That pretty much covers everything you should expect from a sealer. The Australian timber oil also provides you excellent protection with UV light resistance, but it falls behind in terms of protection against water and related damages. Though Australian timber oil claims to be water repellent, Penofin gets the lead in water protection. Also Read: Alternatives To Behandla Wood Treatment Oil. Longevity One of the key characteristics of wood staining is its longevity. These coatings last for years, and as it takes time and effort to stain the decks, the longevity of these items is essential. In that regard, Penofin seems to get the lead here. Of course, the weather in your area is a massive factor to determine longevity, but on average, Penofin lasts about 1 to 5 years, depending on the surface. On the other hand, Australian timber oil lasts about 1 to 3 years on average. So, in terms of longevity, Penofin gets a solid lead. Application Many people prefer to stain decks by themselves; it's an important consideration. In that regard, Penofin seems to be the easier option. It offers application by brush and by sprayer. In the case of Australian timber oil, it's a bit more complex with the brush-only application. The application itself is a bit delicate, too, in the case of Australian timber oil. The drying time is much faster than Penofin, around 12 hours. On the other hand, Australian timber oil takes 24 to 48 hours. Cost Both Penofin and Australian timber wood are great options for providing value for money. However, Penofin is the cheaper option between these two options. The cost difference is pretty significant here. Add the longevity of Penofin in the mix, and Penofin becomes the undisputed winner in the cost efficiency segment too. Penofin Pros Richer Wood Enhancement - The Penofin formula does a better job of enhancing natural wood grain textures and colors without appearing shiny or painted on. The oil enriches wood tones especially for porous woods like cedar and redwood. Superior Protection - Penofin products soak deeper into wood pores rather than sit on top of the wood surface. This allows for better longevity against water, UV and mold damage. Annual maintenance coats maintain high protection levels. More Finish Options - With various formulas for indoor or outdoor use, different sheens, specialized wood types and adjustable transparency, Penofin offers more versatility to match your specific project needs. Easier Application - Customers consistently share that Penofin's oils spread smoothly without over brushing. The finishes absorb quickly without tackiness when applied properly requiring less elbow grease. Maximizes Wood Longevity - By protecting wood from mold, UV rays and water damage, Penofin oils help maintain the integrity of exterior wood improving surface lifespan. Less cracking, splitting, warping and rot occur. Penofin Cons Higher Upfront Cost - Being a more premium wood finish solution, Penofin oils cost noticeably more per gallon than competitors. Cabot Australian Timber Oil offers a less expensive option. Frequent Reapplication Needed - While Penofin lasts longer than competitors, annual reapplication is still required for optimal performance and longevity especially for horizontal exterior surfaces. Odor - Some users note a strong oil odor during application. Newer water-based options have less odor. Proper ventilation is recommended. Long Dry Time - Depending on weather conditions, dry time between coats can take 24-48 hours which delays project completion. Proper planning is required. Not Available at Big Box Stores - Penofin needs to be purchased through specialty dealers. Australian Timber Oil offers wider main street retailer availability. Now let’s examine the Australian Timber Oil pros and cons. Australian Timber Oil Pros Lower Cost - For budget-focused buyers, Australian Timber Oil provides quality wood protection at a lower price point than competitor brands. Sales are common making it even more affordable. Widely Available - Sold at most major home improvement stores, Australian Timber Oil is easy to pick up for quick projects without having to hunt down specialty retailers. Great UV Protection - Sun protection additive blended into the formula provides excellent guarding against graying and wood damage caused by constant sun exposure. One Coat Application - With most projects, only a single coat sufficiently protects and enriches wood appearance meaning faster project turnaround with less labor. Eucalyptus Oil Base - The unique eucalyptus oil base provides natural mold, mildew and water resistance for long-lasting wood integrity between applications. Australian Timber Oil Cons Limited Wood Enhancement - While providing protection, Australian Timber Oil does less to enrich natural wood tones compared to Penofin. Certain wood types appear masked losing depth and warmth. Shorter Longevity - Lasting between 6 months to 2 years, Australian Timber Oil does not bond as deeply into wood requiring more frequent reapplication to maintain performance and appearance. Minimal Finish Options - With only semi-transparent and semi-solid offered, Australian Timber Oil cannot match the wider range of transparency levels, sheens and specialized formulations provided by Penofin. Higher Chance of Tackiness - In hot and humid climates, improper dry time between coats makes Australian Timber Oil more prone to sticking to objects that touch the surface. No Indoor Wood Option - Australian Timber Oil can only be used outdoors while Penofin offers indoor wood finishing oils allowing for whole home application coordination capability. To summarize, Penofin provides richer wood enhancement through deeper penetrating oils at a higher cost while Australian Timber Oil quickly protects wood at budget pricing despite needing more frequent touch-ups. So, Which One Will Give You The Upper Hand? It's a little hard to compare Penofin and Australian timber oil as both are different, one is a stain, and the other is an oil with other usages. However, Penofin seems to be the clear winner here between these two, considering all the aspects. Whether it's protection, longevity, application, or cots efficiency, Penofin gets the upper hand in all cases. Except for the more natural look of Australian timber oil, you should go for Penofin any day. Also Read: Differences Between Cabot Australian Timber Oil 3400 And 19400. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is better than Penofin? As you have seen above, Penofin is definitely a commendable choice from every aspect there is. However, that doesn’t mean there are other good choices in this industry. Apart from Penofin, some might find Ready Seal or Caber stain better. Does Australian Timber Oil seal wood? Yes, Australian timber solid seal wood. Not only does it just seal the wood, but it also does a pretty good job of sealing it. The mix of superb-grade linseed oil provides three-layer of excellent sealing. The timber oil also keeps the colors and look intake in the process. Is timber oil better than stain? Both items have their fair share of advantages to disadvantages. So, it’s an entirely subjective matter we have in our hands. However, it comes down to the look. If you prefer a natural look, then timber oil is better. But as an overall pick considering different factors, the stain is a better choice. Does Cabot Australian Timber Oil peel? The answer to this question is a bit tricky. Yes, Australian timber oil peels, mainly when applied to deck and wood siding. However, it’ll only happen if you over-use the timber oil. By following the proper application method, you’ll be free from the risk of peeling. Final Thought Here we are at the end of our article. I hope the article was helpful enough to figure out the differences. By now, you should be able to decide which deck stain will be better suited for you. Apart from the comparison here, deck stains are a more sustainable, cost-efficient, and long-lasting solution that can safeguard your deck for years to come. So, no matter which option you choose between, Penofin vs. Australian timber oil, don't forget to stain. It'll be worth the time and effort.