The more diluted stain formula is less likely to blister, peel, crack or flake due to it not being particularly thick, but it will feel the effects of weathering slightly quicker if it’s not annually topped-up with a fresh coat.
How Should I Finish My Wood Fence?
It’s important to understand how different materials used in fencing will age over time, and techniques you can use to extend or shorten this process. You have a few basic options for finishing a wood fence: painting it, staining it, or leaving it natural and untouched. Each option provides benefits and drawbacks, so we’re here to help you make the right decision for your home or business!
It should come as no surprise that leaving your fence natural and untouched by any type of finish will leave it open to the elements. While this option requires the least amount of effort to maintain, rain, snow, wind, and the sun will take a toll on your fence over time. Some households are complemented by a weathered and rustic look, but if this isn’t for you, you can also power wash your fence regularly to keep it lasting a bit longer. Some types of wood age with grace, so this option is not overlooked by those wishing to give their home some character.
Paint
Before staining came about, painting fences as a “finish” was a very popular option. While you can choose between an assortment of colors, this is not a very effective method of finishing a wood fence, as it requires the most maintenance. Paint tends to crack and peel, so this option entails upkeep (repainting) every 1 to 3 years.
Some people ask about the possibility of painting over stained wood. As most stained wood fences are coated with a glossy polyurethane or varnish layer, this can be tricky. Paint cannot properly adhere to the glossy coat, which can quicken the process of chipping, peeling, or cracking. To allow the paint to grip to the surface of your wood, you should always sand away this varnish layer of gloss before applying paint.
If you know you want that perfect white picket fence look in your yard, a white vinyl fence might be the best option for you! If not, there are also solid white stains available for purchase in stores.
Stain
Staining is also a popular option for fences, as it requires very little maintenance. It does not peel or crack and simply requires that the stain be redone once it begins to fade after several years. It is also much easier to redo a stain than it is to repaint a fence, as a power washing or deck cleaner give you a clean slate to re-stain without having to chip away at old paint.
There are a few varieties of stains to choose from. As mentioned above, you can purchase a solid white stain to give the illusion of a white picket fence. You can also use semi-transparent options, or even clear coats that provide weather-proofing without removing any of the wooden aesthetic.
What’s Best For My Fence Then?
They’re both great for fences, if you already have a tin of paint or stain that’s suitable for exterior wood with adequate weather protection, use it!
However, if you need a few pros and cons to help make a decision, here they are:
Nothing screams value for money quite like Ronseal and this tradition certainly continues with their 5 star rated Garden Paint. This water-based exterior timber paint is available in over 20 vivid colours, while also being rainproof within 1 hour of application.
This product goes in with the bold claim of up to 5 years colour protection, which will prevent your painted timber from losing that natural shimmer and shine. Another huge plus for the budget option is that is has up to 12m² per litre coverage, which is fantastic for a product in that price range.
The multipurpose paint tin offers a handy guide on the reverse of the tin on how to paint each type of wood; with the instructions for fences being extremely simple, just use a stiff brush to get rid of any dirt before applying.
The only major downfall to this product (apart from its price tag) is that for a paint, its only available in 14 colours at present.
Our Choice For Stain
The Value For Money Option
Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback is unquestionably your go to stain for value for money, the wax enriched finish is weatherproof within 1 hour of drying and will continue to protect your fence for 5 years. The thought process behind Ducksback’s naming is because the water-repellent finish forces moisture to run off the timber like a duck’s back. I’ve personally used this stain in Autumn Brown and it really does pack a punch and is deserving of the value for money accolade.
The preparation for this is the same any paint or stain, just give the surface a brush down before applying the formula. This product will require 2-3 coats and is only available in 5 Litres, a downside to this product is that it only has a meagre up to 5m² per litre coverage.
The Premium Option
Our premium pick for stain is none other than Sadolin’s Legendary Classic Wood Protection, this all purpose wood stain is solvent-based with an impressive coverage of up to 10m² per litre. This stain is extremely versatile, with it being suitable for just fences but also decking, cladding, large facias and exterior rough sawn timber.
This product requires between 3 coats for ultimate protection, it’s also important to note that this product is only available in a variety of natural colours, with a plethora of brown’s available on the product page.
This is another product where the reviews speak for themselves, with the product being rated 5 stars and Doug quoting Ronseal’s famous slogan in their review, saying “it does what it says on the tin” – it’s as straightforward as that.
Expert Tip – Decking Oil For Your Fence?
Want to apply an oil to your fence for a more natural look and feel? You can actually use Manns Premier UV Decking Oil and it does a fantastic job!
This decking oil actually contains everything you’d want for fence protection plus it’s available at a cheaper price point to comparative fence oils!
We hope you found this article informative and helpful. If there are any specific products or projects you’d like more information on, please don’t hesitate to contact our experts at [email protected] or on 01303 213838.
Is It Better to Paint or Stain a Fence?
If you’re thinking about installing a new wood fence, you might have questions about the finish. While you can choose to leave your fence bare, this may shorten its lifespan. Over time, an unfinished wood fence could warp, twist, split or develop mold. To protect it from the elements, consider either painting or staining your fence. You may also want to consider alternatives to wood fencing if you prefer to do neither.
Proper care for a fence will increase its lifespan and help it look much nicer. Protection can come in the form of paint or stain. Both of these have benefits that bring pros and cons that are worth considering before making a choice and contacting a fence company.
Pros and Cons of Painting a Fence
Painting your fence allows for more variety in options. Paint has so many color and finish options to choose from. If you are looking for a more creative color scheme, paint may be your best option as far as color goes. Paint also dries more quickly and can be applied under more weather conditions. Really, as long as it’s not raining or below freezing, paint can be applied. Paint can be brushed or sprayed on and needs to be reapplied every five to six years, which is less frequent than stain.
There is more to consider, though. Before you paint your fence, any previous paint must be scraped off and smoothed out. While paint is cheaper to purchase per gallon, proper technique requires a primer in addition to the paint which adds an additional cost. Painting will require more coats than staining does and shows cracks and imperfections more quickly.
Pros and Cons of Staining a Fence
Most of the time, staining is better than painting your fence. Stain absorbs into the wood, compared to paint which sits on top of the wood. Stain eventually fades and must be reapplied, but the average lifespan of a good stain is up to three years and the actual labor of staining a fence is significantly less than what is required when painting. Simply pressure wash the fence to produce a clean, prepped surface for staining. Stain can also be applied easily with a weed sprayer. Stain often costs more than paint upfront, but because you don’t have to use nearly as much, making the overall cost cheaper. Stain comes in many different shades and transparencies. Some are clear, which provide waterproofing and protection for your fence without changing its color. Then, some are semi-transparent. They darken the wood but still allow the grain to show through, emphasizing its natural beauty. Others are more opaque, mimicking the appearance of a painted fence without nearly as much maintenance. In harsher climates and environments, it is best to stain your fence because it won’t chip, bubble, or crack.
Some drawbacks of staining are that it does take longer to dry, so you have to leave it alone for up to two days once the stain is applied. During that time, hopefully the weather cooperates so that you don’t have to redo any sections. Stain can be slightly unpredictable as it can be absorbed differently by the wood, which can change the amount of stain that you need to purchase.
