Blog Post

Painting Verse Staining Your Wood Fence

  • By Clean Cut Fence
  • 30 Aug, 2013

If you already have wood fencing in your yard or are about to get installed fencing put in, there is one more step you should consider. The fence may look or will look great at the moment, but depending on which fence you have or get, it may or may not be protected from Mother Nature. Some fencing is available in pressure treated materials while others are untreated, natural wood.

Regardless of type, the material will age and turn gray in color. It can still crack and warp, but if pressure treated, it will not be susceptible to insects and possibly decay depending on the treatment used. The step needed involves protecting your wood fence from weather and seasonal changes. Painting or staining will help protect it and preserve its amazing beauty. In addition, you can simply use a water seal if you like the appearance of natural wood. Which method you choose depends on your preferences and the benefits you desire.

Paint provides the opportunity to color enhance your wood fencing to any color. There are tons of paint option and brands available for outdoor use on wood. Paint has the advantage of stability and durability, while covering the wood so water and other elements do not penetrate it. There are several gloss options, which represent the shine level of the paint. Typically, higher gloss levels add more protection to the paint and the wood. However, they are more susceptible to cracking, but great for cleaning. If going with paint, be sure to apply several coats to add more protection to the fence's surface. Spending the increased time will prevent you from having to paint again more frequently.

Stains are also widely available for exterior use on wood. Over the years, they have evolved into providing better performance and have generated more options in stain choices. Staining also helps protect the surface from the natural elements and seasonal changes, but usually has to be done more frequently. There are several levels of translucency, as well as colors. Some stains provide a richer color to the surface. You can choose from solid stains or transparent stains.

Solid stains look similar to paint, but preserve the wood grain appearance and add rich color to the material. In other words, they do not appear as a solid color over the surface like paint would.

Transparent stains color the material in a see-through kind of way. It's really hard to explain, but your local paint store should have samples to compare the differences.

When staining, be prepared to apply every couple of years, unless you purchase a stain with a higher guarantee. When painting, you will probably need to apply it every 3-5 years, depending on your area's environment and the quality of the paint.

In either case, you will protect your fence from weathering and keep it looking great for a long time.

By John Roth 08 Jun, 2020
A privacy fence is a great way to define your property boundaries. A great way to keep children and pets safe. It will also reduce any street noise along with increasing your home’s value. This 6’ Tall Dog Ear Privacy Fence is a great addition to any property. It has been stained for added protection and beauty.
By John Roth 14 May, 2020

If you are looking for a more decorative style instead of the standard privacy fence you may be interested in a French Gothic Picket Fence. The stylish pickets will set your fence apart from your neighbors. The standard 2 ½” spacing between the pickets can be customized to your preference. A picket fence will set a boundary for children and fur babies while maintaining an open feel for your property.

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