Can I use deck stain on subfloors?

This post should be helpful:

https://boxycolonial.com/stain-plywood-floor-thats-seen-better-days/

an alternative:

https://www.lovelyetc.com/amazing-painted-floors-how-to/

Hello Alicia! if you want to rip up your carpet and stain the plywood subfloor I would just use regular wood stain and then poly. If you are strapped for cash and have a local Restore you may be able to find used cans of stain there that could cost you a fraction of the price. You want the poly over the floor to protect the wood. Or if you rip up the carpet and can clean the floor really well from all the dirt and grime left behind you could use just the poly.

Do you know what your subfloors are made of?

Use any stain and and they polyurethane over it to protect the wood.

Hi Alicia,

I would not recommend using deck stain inside your home. Most deck stains contain chemicals to prevent mold and mildew that can be toxic when trapped inside a home. It would be better to use regular wood stain. However as GK stated, look for a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in your area or you can completely skip the stain and just use poly, depending on the look of the floor once it's cleaned. Wishing you the best.

Alicia: I would also NOT use outdoor materials for inside!!

I would not use deck stain inside the home. There are some crucial differences between exterior and interior wood stains, so they are not to be used interchangeably. Deck stains incorporate preservatives and pesticides that indoor stains lack. Exterior deck stain products often incorporate additional chemicals, such as fungicides, that may be unsafe for interior use. They are formulated for better durability, but produce fumes that simply aren't appropriate for an indoor environment.

what does the subfloor look like? It seems like it would be rough.

I think you can, Stain is stain. Try a small section and see how it comes, if yo have any paint you can also paint it. here is a post on painting https://inmyownstyle.com/paint-subflooring.html

I would strictly follow to the cautions on the product, keep the outdoors products outdoors and indoor usage ones indoors. There are reasons for this that are described on the containers, if used improperly there could be disastrous results, as William said. Otherwise the manufacturer cannot support the product and it could be a health risk when not used as directed..

Hello I would suggest calling the manufacturer in your can of outdoor stain. Many stains may contain chemicals because of the outdoor exposure. This may contraindicate the usage indoors in your home. The best and safest way is to contact the manufacturer and see if it is an option.