Staining Fences
By: Amanda Campbell
Updated: September 6, 2011
When it comes to staining your fence, it can be tough to choose the right finish. You have a full range of staining options including naturals, semi-solids, and solid color stains. To help make your decision between colors and opacities easier, you can find sample sizes at your local hardware or home center. So try it first, so that you'll be sure to be pleased with the final result.
Naturals
Tinted finishes add sheer, nearly transparent color allowing the most wood grain and texture to show through.
Semi-Solids
Unique semi-solid/semi-opaque finish that mostly masks the wood grain but allows texture to show through.
Solids
Solid finish adds rich, opaque color that completely hides the wood grain while allowing some texture to show through.
In general, the darker the stain the more long lasting it will be, though the differences can be minor. The darker types tend to last longer because they resist UV radiation a little better. Often, the look you want will outweigh that consideration.
A purely clear option is available in the form of shellac or an oil that contains no pigment. It will provide excellent protection from wind and rain while allowing the natural look of the wood to shine through. UV protection, though, is minimal.
For cedar and other colored woods, some fading of the original is to be expected over a period of years.
Applying your stain
Generally, the best method to apply oil-based products is a high quality, natural bristle brush, and either a high quality polyester or nylon brush for our acrylic products. Rollers and sprayers may be used.
After you are done, you may want to add a fence sealant to your newly stained fence.
Cost, ease of application, and personal preferences will all play a role when choosing how to treat a wood fence. Fortunately, thanks to modern chemistry, you can't go wrong when you want the natural look of real wood with a properly chosen stained fence.
Naturals
Tinted finishes add sheer, nearly transparent color allowing the most wood grain and texture to show through.
Semi-Solids
Unique semi-solid/semi-opaque finish that mostly masks the wood grain but allows texture to show through.
Solids
Solid finish adds rich, opaque color that completely hides the wood grain while allowing some texture to show through.
In general, the darker the stain the more long lasting it will be, though the differences can be minor. The darker types tend to last longer because they resist UV radiation a little better. Often, the look you want will outweigh that consideration.
A purely clear option is available in the form of shellac or an oil that contains no pigment. It will provide excellent protection from wind and rain while allowing the natural look of the wood to shine through. UV protection, though, is minimal.
For cedar and other colored woods, some fading of the original is to be expected over a period of years.
Applying your stain
Generally, the best method to apply oil-based products is a high quality, natural bristle brush, and either a high quality polyester or nylon brush for our acrylic products. Rollers and sprayers may be used.
After you are done, you may want to add a fence sealant to your newly stained fence.
Cost, ease of application, and personal preferences will all play a role when choosing how to treat a wood fence. Fortunately, thanks to modern chemistry, you can't go wrong when you want the natural look of real wood with a properly chosen stained fence.
