Should You Stain Your Outdoor Fence?

A fence is a significant part of your yard, and it is necessary to maintain it to ensure it lasts for years. While there are many ways you can protect your fence, the priority is to seal it and keep up with a resealing schedule. If needed, you can contact a company for fence installation in Vancouver to help you keep up with fence upkeep.

Why You Should Paint or Stain Your Fence

When installing a fence, primarily wood, it is crucial to protect it against the elements, including weather and insects. Regardless of the wood you choose for your fence, it will age rapidly without a protective coating — stain or exterior paint help to seal the wood from the elements and keep insects away.

How Often Should Your Paint or Stain Your Fence?

After staining, your fence is usually okay for about two or three years. You will know when it is time to reseal the wood because the colour will change, and it will become more susceptible to staining. 

If you use paint, you might need to repaint your fence more frequently than with staining. You might get two years out of a paint job, but that depends on the wear and tear on the fence.

Is It Better To Use Paint or Stain?

When it comes to which treatment is best, painting or staining, most professionals recommend staining. However, there are many people that feel painting a fence is also a fair choice. Both methods will protect the wood. Therefore, it is a stylistic and aesthetic choice for the homeowner to make.

How To Stain or Paint a Fence

Whether you choose to use paint or stain to protect your fence, you will need to decide on an application approach. Are you going to attempt to DIY, or are you going to hire a professional? Hiring someone with experience is usually the best approach, but if you are going to do it alone, you need to know the three-step process.

1. Assess the Wood

Before you begin the project, you will need to assess the fence. Are all of the boards in decent shape? Do you see any splitting or cracking? Are all fasteners secure and accounted for? If any boards are damaged, you can replace them now before cleaning and staining the entire fence.

2. Use a Wood Cleaner and Power Washer

You can purchase a wood cleaner to help cut through all the dirt and grime. You will want to apply the cleaner according to the directions. You will probably need to scrub the fence down before rinsing it off. After applying the cleaner, use a power washer to clean away any remaining debris and stains.

3. Stain or Paint the Fence

After allowing the fence time to dry thoroughly, you can begin applying the stain or paint. You want to apply even coverage across the entire fence. If you choose to use paint, you might need to apply a second coat. The stain might apply evenly after one coat. Allow the fence to rest for 24 to 48 hours.

Hire a Professional to Get the Job Done Quickly and Easily

Applying stain or paint to an outdoor fence is an involved process. While it is possible to do the project independently, it is easier and quicker to hire a fence specialist. These individuals have the tools and experience to do a job in half the time it would take you. Additionally, they will have the necessary tools and products to achieve fast and successful results.
Are you ready to seal your fence? Contact the fence repair services at Handyman Connection and schedule a fence evaluation and estimate.