- Stains offer the same benefits as sealers but with some extra advantages.
- Sun damage can cause a fence to fade and become grey in as little as a few months.
- A quality stain can protect a fence against the UV rays at the heart of the process.
- The more opaque the stain, the more UV protection it provides.
Thus, Is it better to paint or stain a fence? Most of the time, staining is better than painting a fence. It’s true that stain eventually fades and must be reapplied, but not for several years. Also, because stain doesn’t peel or crack, it requires less preparation than repainting. Simply power wash the fence to produce a clean, prepped surface for staining.
Additionally Should I pressure wash my fence before staining? Should You Power Wash Before Fence Staining? More often than not, it is not a good idea to power wash a fence before staining it. Power washers can force the mold and mildew (the greying color of the fence) deeper into the wood pickets. This causes the wood to deteriorate quicker.
What happens if you only stain one side of a fence? If you only stain “your side” of the fence, you’re leaving the other side susceptible to damage. In fact, this may actually do more harm than good because you’re preventing rain water from evaporating on both sides. If you stain the fence all the way around, you create an envelope that keeps rain out of the wood.
What happens if you stain over stain? Yes! Staining on top of older stain is perfectly fine. You will need to understand your specific project and plan before you begin but staining on top of old stain is fairly simple. As we mentioned earlier, staining on top of old stain works best if you want a darker stain.
Is it worth staining an old fence?
Whether your wooden fence is years old or newly installed, it can benefit from a single inexpensive addition: stain. Applying wood stain to the slats improves its design and prolongs the lifespan of your hard-working outdoor structure—a win-win!
What type of stain is best for a fence?
- BEST OVERALL: Ready Seal Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer.
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Krylon Exterior Semi-Transparent Wood Stain.
- BEST FOR NEW WOOD: Storm System Protector Stain & Sealer.
- BEST FOR OLD WOOD: Seal Once Nano+Poly Premium Wood Sealer.
- BEST WITH SEALER: Olympic Maximum Semi-Transparent Wood Stain & Sealant.
Is it better to stain or paint a fence?
Most of the time, staining is better than painting a fence. It’s true that stain eventually fades and must be reapplied, but not for several years. Also, because stain doesn’t peel or crack, it requires less preparation than repainting. Simply power wash the fence to produce a clean, prepped surface for staining.
Should I power wash my fence before staining?
Should You Power Wash Before Fence Staining? More often than not, it is not a good idea to power wash a fence before staining it. Power washers can force the mold and mildew (the greying color of the fence) deeper into the wood pickets. This causes the wood to deteriorate quicker.
How many coats of stain do I need for a fence?
Two coats are best, and it’s best to avoid applying the stain in direct sunlight. Woodscapes can be second coated within two hours, depending on the humidity and air temperature. Most products can be re-coated the same day. You should stain your fence every three to four years when the coating starts to fade and wear.
Should you stain both sides of fence?
In actuality, you should be staining both sides of your fence. Not only will it be more aesthetically pleasing to all parties involved, it will help your wooden fence last longer. As the days continue to get longer and the sun beats down a little harder, sun protection should be on your mind.
What is better for fence paint or stain?
Most of the time, staining is better than painting a fence. It’s true that stain eventually fades and must be reapplied, but not for several years. Also, because stain doesn’t peel or crack, it requires less preparation than repainting. Simply power wash the fence to produce a clean, prepped surface for staining.
How long will an untreated fence last?
Spruce
| Untreated | ||
|---|---|---|
| Timber life (years) | 4 – 7 | |
| Is your fence properly installed? | Yes +0 | No -3 |
| Is your fence properly maintained? | Yes +2 | Yes +0 |
| Minimum estimated life (years) | 6 | 1 |
• Nov 26, 2012
What time of year is best to stain a fence?
Some general weather-related tips are to apply a stain when both the air and wood surface temperatures are between 50 and 90 degrees, avoid applying the stain in direct sunlight, and wait until the weather will be rain-free for at least 48 hours.
How much should it cost to stain a fence?
Average Cost of Staining a Fence The average cost to hire a professional to stain a wood fence is $2,400 for a 250-foot fence. The average is $9.60 per linear foot and $1.95 per square foot.
