Should You Stain or Paint Your Fence?
Whether you’re installing a new picket fence, or bringing an existing one back to life, homeowners often find themselves debating between painting or staining their fence. While stains penetrate the wood and last longer, there are more colorful and creative options when it comes to using paint.
If you’re here because you’ve found yourself faced with the same dilemma, look no further.
How to choose whether to stain or paint your fence?
The first step in making your choice is to prioritize what you’re looking for in your fence. Are you looking for the longest lasting solution, or maybe more options for coloring? We’ve compiled what we believe to be our top 3 deciding factors:
Which finish tends to last longer outdoors?
Out of the two, staining your wood is most likely to endure the longest when exposed to the elements outdoors. The longevity is due, in part, to the nature of staining. Instead of creating a coat on top of the wooden surface, the stain seeps into the wood itself. The binding between the wood and the stain means that your fence will retain its color for around five years.
Which is more cost-effective: painting or staining?
When it comes to cost, both purchasing a wood stain and purchasing paint fall around the same average cost. While paint itself may be cheaper on its own, it also comes with the need for primer to prep the wood. Overall, buying a stain for your wooden fence is going to be the most cost effective option in the long run.
Which finish is easier to apply?
As briefly discussed, a stain is going to be your easiest method to apply. Staining does not require the surface to be primed, like paint does. Staining also only requires one coat, where painting your wood would need multiple coats to ensure the color looks even and fully covers the surface. In addition, staining wears evenly over time and only requires one-coat touch ups as time goes on.
How to paint your fence
The process of painting your fence is going to be similar to the process of painting any other part of your home. While the process is simple, each step is important.
Prepare your fence surface
If the wood is new, there may be little to do before you move on to the next step. However, if you’re choosing to paint over existing wood, you must understand the condition the fence material is in and proceed based on that information. For example, if the wood has existing paint that has begun to peel, it is important to remove as much as possible prior to priming. Regardless, the use of a pressure washer is highly recommended to ensure you start your project with a clean surface.
Start by priming your fence
Once the fence has been prepared and there is a clean surface to work with, you can begin to prime. Priming is a critical part of painting any part of your home; however, it is even more fundamental to outdoor fences as priming the wood allows the paint to adhere throughout varying weather conditions. Priming also increases the longevity of your paint application, reducing the frequency in which you may need to re-apply your paint to the surface.
Paint from the edges first
Once it is time to paint, we always recommend painting from the edges first. Painting from the edge allows you to get the finer details before addressing the main portion of the fence. Painting tools and techniques will vary based on your preference. Generally, either a roller or a paint sprayer is used to complete the project.
How to stain your fence
With just a few supplies, you can have your fence stained and looking beautiful in no time. The process of staining a fence is incredibly straightforward and should leave you happy with your results.
Start with the vertical posts
To begin staining, start by staining the vertical posts first. Starting here will ensure that your stain application is even and smooth.
Tips for a successful fence stain
A successful fence stain comes after a labor of love. Because this process can be extensive depending on the size of your fence, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your stain comes out flawlessly.
Firstly, make sure you do the appropriate prep work. If you know your fence has seen better days, get it into a healthy condition before starting. Additionally, make sure you use a reliable fence stain. Generally speaking, an oil based stain will hold up best. Lastly, it is always good to be prepared! Bring a drip cloth with you to ensure that any stray drips can be removed before they affect the quality and look of your stain.
For all your painting needs, contact Old Crow Painting!
Both painting and staining a fence can be a daunting job – especially if you know you’re going to be covering a large surface area. The good news is that here at Old Crow Painting, we love the challenge and invite you to use us on any project you need help with. Whatever your painting needs are, we have you covered. Give us a call to book your appointment today!