To paint or to stain: the best way to protect your fence

Nothing beats that new fence or deck look. Freshly painted or stained wood is like Botox for your home– transforming a tired yard into a welcoming haven. Many of our customers ask us, “Is paint or stain the best way to protect my fence?” That’s a great question! The climate in the Pacific Northwest exposes your fence to high moisture levels, and choosing the most protective finish is an important decision.

Today, we’ll talk about two ways to keep your wooden fence looking great for many years. We’ll offer pros and cons for both staining and painting your wooden fence so you can decide which option is right for you.

Considerations for painting and staining your wooden fence

When choosing a method to protect your fence, painting and staining are both valid options for your new or existing fence or deck.

FenceWorks NW works with multiple paint and stain vendors to match the existing color of your fence or deck, or help you choose a new color or tone you’ll love.

If you were relying on upfront costs to help you make a decision, you’re going to need to dig a little deeper. There isn’t much variance in cost to paint or stain your fence or deck with FenceWorks NW. Instead, it’s the additional services that create a difference in the cost.

Depending on the level of care and maintenance you provide and the outdoor elements your fence or deck face, paints and stains can last between two and eight years.

Protective stain for your fence

Many of our customers love the clean, classic look of a natural wood fence. The cedar planks we use are sustainably sourced and gorgeous– even au natural. However, if you want to protect your investment and increase the life of your fence, we recommend adding a coat of stain to your wooden fence. Love transparent stains that let the natural wood shine? We do, too! Just know that sheer stains have a shorter life than opaque options.

Fence Repair

If you’re staining a brand new fence, you can choose from transparent, semi-transparent, and opaque options. Want to refresh your existing fence? First, you’ll need to arrange for your fence to be pressure washed. A thorough power washing removes any caked-on grime and preps the stain to be absorbed into the wood. When you add a new stain over an old one, solid (or opaque) stains are the best way to cover any irregularities caused by previous wear and tear. That’s good news, though! The darker the pigment in the stain, the longer the protection will last.

When paint is in need of a refresh, it will peel, chip, and crack. On the other hand, stained fences will simply fade over time. To discover whether your fence is in need of a reapplication, watch for beading when it rains. When a fence is protected against the elements, beading forms and the raindrops roll down the plank. If water is being absorbed rather than repelled, it’s time to arrange a reapplication.

Protective paint for your fence

If a home with a white picket fence is your ultimate ideal, we’ve got great news for you. Paint is a great way to protect your fence.

Fence

Don’t limit yourself to a white fence, though. One major benefit of painting your fence is the flexibility and creativity that paint affords. Want rainbow-hued slats? That’s a great way to live colorfully! Prefer a pop of color against the grey sky? Let’s do it!

Speaking of grey skies– paint pulls ahead of stains when we consider the weather. While stains can take multiple days to set, latex paint dries in a matter of hours. We need dry weather to paint or stain your fence or deck, and finding a few hours of dry weather is far more likely than finding a few days without dampness.

With paint, you’re not limited by the decisions you (or a previous homeowner) made. You can’t stain a painted fence (at least, not without sanding it down and starting fresh), but you can paint over a faded stain without any issues.

The team at FenceWorks NW has helped hundreds of customers in Southwest Washington choose their fence or deck stain. Tell us your goals, your budget, and your desired level of maintenance, and we can help you select an option that best fits your needs.