Should I Paint or Stain a Wood Fence?

Posted on October 18th, 2021

If you’re thinking of adding color to your fence, you may be thinking about painting or staining it to create a new look! Painting your fence also provides a way to keep the wood protected. When you have a fence installed, you need to choose to stain, seal, or paint the fence to keep it looking its best.

Painting offers a variety of benefits for your wooden fence. From customizable colors to long-lasting results, paint is a great option for sealing and protecting your wooden fence!

Pros and Cons of Painting a Wood Fence

Pros of painting your fence:

Customizability– Paint is available in a wide variety of colors, allowing you to choose from a classic white or a color that complements or matches your home’s exterior.

Protection– A quality, professional coat of paint will protect your wooden fence from the sun, wind, and rain for years to come. Paint helps to seal the wood so it can last longer.

Low maintenance– When quality exterior paint is used, a painted fence can last up to five years before it needs to be repainted.

Cons of painting your fence:

Flaky patches– Over time, paint can begin to flake. Paint can also peel, causing flaky patches across your fence.

Cost– Painting can be more expensive initially than stain and is also more time-consuming to complete for a reapplication.

Can I Paint a Wood Fence with Stain on it?

If you’re tired of resealing or staining your fence, or you want to add a pop of color to your outdoor space, the good news is you can paint over the stain. This is an easy fix as you don’t have to strip the stain to paint over it. All you must do is clean the surface and then begin painting.

Staining a Wood Fence

If you want to enhance the natural grain of the wood or go for a more natural look, staining your wooden fence is a great way to seal and protect the wood from the elements. There are a variety of stain colors to choose from to suit your desired look.

Pros and Cons of Staining a Wood Fence

Pros of staining your fence:

• Low maintenance– You will not need to reapply stain as often as painting, and the stain will only fade, rather than crack or peel.
• No scraping– To prep for painting, you’ll need to scrape all the old paint off the fence. When re-staining, you only need to clean off the fence first.
• No cracking or peeling– Over time, paint can begin to crack and peel, leaving unsightly patches on your fence.

Cons of staining your fence:

• Cost– Stain requires more than one coat plus a sealant, which can be more expensive than painting.
• Limited Colors– You are left to choose from the varieties of wood hues for your fence.

When can I Stain My New Fence?

When you can begin staining your new wood fence will depend on the type of wood, the time of year, and the weather/climate in the area. For a pressure-treated pine fence, you will need to wait until the wood is dry to ensure the stain adheres properly to the wood.

For a cedar fence, you can typically begin staining right away. Waiting too long can cause the wood to weather, which means you will have to sand or wash it with cleaner before staining it.

Ready for a New Wood Fence? We’ve Got Your Covered!

At Fence By Maintenance Service, we provide high-quality pressure-treated or ed cedar wood fencing to meet your needs. Contact us today to learn more!