Made from an alkyd (oil) and acrylic (water) hybrid mix, new Sikkens Cetol SRD is a premium flat finish stain that requires only one coat on any exterior wood surface – from decks and fences ...

You could leave your deck unfinished ... Some finishes, including Sikkens Cetol SRD 1708902 semitransparent stain, $27 per gallon, can provide one-coat protection. A final point to consider.