Best Fence Staining Practices

Having a wooden fence brings many benefits to the homeowners, including privacy, security and clean look. Wooden fences bring with it certain responsibilities as well, including washing, sealing or staining it to keep its strength and visual appeal. Wooden fence when installed and maintained correctly can benefit homeowners for decades. The issue arrises when many people aren’t all that aware of maintenance schedule and how to stain their fence for instance. This binds homeowners to the requirement to either paying to have it done, or putting forth an DIY effort.

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To help readers in making a decision, we have created a list of easy steps explaining how this process should work.

Like they say: “Everything is easy if you know how to do it”.

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Here are our suggestions:

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Cleaning the Wooden Fence

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Any stain or sealer should be applied to a surface that has been thoroughly cleaned and dried before the application. This means rinsing it with water, in most of the cases this should be done by using a pressure washer to get rid of any debris, algae, tanis or mould that might have collected on it. By using pressure washer, your fence should be uniform after it dries. Once the wash has been completed, wait until the wood is completely dry before applying the stain, drying period should last between 24-48 hours.  Should it rain during drying period, repeat the drying cycle again. 

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Preparing the area for staining

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To bring out the fence stain and applying it to the fence is trouble asking to happen, you will most likely leave a mess and that can cause more work than staining the fence it self.  Therefor, make sure you protect the area by covering anything that happens to be located nearby. Scrubs, grass and leaves usually don’t need to be covered thus it will outgrow the stain, but anything that can’t replenish it selves should be covered. Use drop cloth, tarp or any material you can find, even old newspaper and pesky flyers could do the job. Make sure you tape all material you use to cover surrounding areas, this way shifting will be minimized.

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How to apply the stain to your Fence

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Now here it gets a bit tricky, you can buy your stain at your local hardware store or even order your stain from online suppliers, whatever choice you shall make, it makes sense to do your own home work before making a choice. That’s because not all stains are alike, manufacturers promise one thing but the outcome might be a different one. We encourage you to read reviews, join chat rooms or ask your friends and neighbours what experience they had with certain stains. You should get familiar with weather patterns in our area thus this should be considered when buying a certain stain.  Don’t go to dark and don’t go to light on your colour choices, dark colour will absorb most UV radiation and will brake faster, light colour is safer with UV radiation but the surface would need to be cleaned more often. When choosing application medium, you can use a brush to handle the job, you may prefer either a roller or sprayer if you happen to have one. To make a proper choice on what to use, you might refer to manufacturer instructions or ask someone who did a similar job. We recommend using professional grade products, yes it costs more than consumer grade or dollar store products, but when it comes to quality for your home, spending more money initially will save you grief down the road.

In addition, most products can’t be used if the temperature dips to a certain level or if the sun is beating down, a safe way is always to use the product according the manufacturer instructions. 

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Wrapping Up Staining Project

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Depending on what product you use when staining your fence, cleaning brushes, rollers or sprayer is inevitable. To speed up the cleaning effort most likely you’ll need mineral spirits. Make sure you wear rubber gloves and safety googles for your protection, most mineral spirits are corrosive and not very healthy. You can dip your rollers and brushes in mineral spirits and what for the magic to happen. You can also run mineral spirits through your sprayer to clean it out. 

Should you thing that staining your fence is a bit too much hassle, referring to a professional fence staining contractor is probably you best bet.

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For the best results in fence staining and sealing, Como Maintenance Services offers top-notch expertise across Newmarket, Aurora, and York Region. We use industry-proven methods to protect and beautify your fence, ensuring long-lasting durability against the elements. Booking us is simple—just call, email, or fill out our online form for a free estimate. Our easy-going team is known for excellent customer service and high-quality workmanship, making the process smooth and stress-free.

Choose Como Maintenance Services, the trusted name for fence staining and sealing in York Region!

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Frequently Asked Questions:

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1.  Why should I stain my wooden fence?

   • Staining protects wood from moisture, UV rays, and rot, enhancing its appearance and lifespan.

2. How often should a wooden fence be stained?

   • Generally, every 2-3 years, depending on exposure to elements and the type of stain used.

3. What’s the best season to stain a wooden fence?

   • Spring or fall, when temperatures are mild, is ideal for staining.

4. Can I stain a new wooden fence right away?

   • New wood often needs to weather for a few months before staining to allow natural oils to dissipate.

5. How long does it take for stain to dry on a fence?

   • Stains typically dry in 24-48 hours, but it may vary based on weather and stain type.

6. What’s the difference between staining and sealing?

   • Staining enhances color and provides UV protection, while sealing focuses on moisture protection. Some products do both.

7. How do I prepare a fence for staining?

   • Clean the fence thoroughly, remove any old stain if necessary, and ensure it's dry before applying a new stain.

8. Is it better to spray or brush the stain on a fence?

   • Spraying is faster but may require more control; brushing provides a thorough application but takes longer.

9. What kind of stain is best for a fence?

   • Semi-transparent stains are popular, offering both color and wood grain visibility with good protection.

10. How much does it cost to stain a wooden fence?

• Costs vary but generally range from $1 to $3 per square foot, including materials and labor if hiring a professional.

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