A newly installed fence with the beauty of natural cedar adds value to your property. … Staining a new fence can help preserve its look, and once an older fence has been cleaned, stain can help bring back its natural beauty. When selecting a stain for cedar, choose one that’s oil-based and semitransparent.

Is it worth it to stain a cedar fence?

A newly installed fence with the beauty of natural cedar adds value to your property. … Staining a new fence can help preserve its look, and once an older fence has been cleaned, stain can help bring back its natural beauty. When selecting a stain for cedar, choose one that’s oil-based and semitransparent.

How often do you need to stain a cedar fence?

Routine wood fence maintenance is important to maintain the aesthetic of the fence and the life of the wood. A fence should be stained every two to three years to preserve the look and function of the fence.

How much should I charge to stain a fence?

The price of having a professional paint or stain your fence averages $2,000. Homeowners could pay anywhere between $750 to $4,250 depending on the condition, height and length of the fence. Costs average $3 to $17 per linear foot or $1 to $2.50 per square foot.

Does staining a cedar fence make it last longer?

Stain, Stain, Stain! An exterior decking stain will bring out the natural color and grain of the wood and will seal and protect from moisture and sunlight. Stain will also make your fence last significantly longer. … Plan on re-staining your fence every three to five years for optimal protection and beauty.

Do I need to seal cedar fence?

If cared for properly, a cedar fence will remain attractive and structurally sound for many years to come. Apply a waterproofing sealer to the cedar fence to protect the wood from splintering, cracking and warping due to the weather elements. … Seal your cedar fence every three to five years.

What stain looks good on Cedar?

• Ready Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Stain.
• Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofing Stain.
• Defy Extreme Transparent Exterior Wood Stain.
• Olympic Stain Elite Woodland Oil Stain.
• Cabot Semi-Solid Deck & Siding Stain.

How long should it take to stain a fence?

Regarding time, make an honest evaluation of the size of your fence or deck and how long it will take to stain. Expect to spend at least two days on this project—counting drying time. You will want to be sure you collect all supplies that you will need ahead of time. This will save you time in the long run!

How do I bid a stain job?

1. Measure the length and width of each section of the deck. …
2. Consider the cost of the deck stain in regards to how much stain you require for the project. …
3. Determine the cost to clean and repair the deck before staining. …
4. Estimate the amount of time you require to clean and stain the deck.

Do I need to power wash fence before staining?

Before applying any type of finish to a fence, including stains, you need to remove any old finish(es) and remove any built up dirt, dust, grime or other substances from the fence. … Pressure washing a fence before staining it will also ensure blemishes are removed that could show through the surface of the stain.

Article first time published on

Is it OK to stain only one side of a fence?

A question that customers sometimes ask is whether both sides of the fence should be sealed. … In reality, if one side of the fence faces a neighbor and they choose not to stain or seal their side will discolor and yours won’t, without this affecting the structural integrity of the structure.

What time of year is best to stain a fence?

The best time to stain a deck is when it’s been dry for several days and the wood is dry. You need at least 48 hours with no rain in the forecast after the application of the stain. Temperatures should be between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. For most people, these conditions are met between late spring and early fall.

Is it better to stain or seal a fence?

Stains also have the same beneficial water-repelling qualities. … Although a wood stain is more expensive than a sealer, it can last up to 5 times longer and looks more professional. So you certainly get your money’s worth. Here at DeckMaster™, we recommend using wood stains for your deck and fence maintenance.

Is it better to stain or paint a cedar fence?

Cedar wood does not take paint well, and paint can actually reduce the lifespan of your cedar fence. … For this type of wood, we recommend an oil-based stain or an oil-based wood treatment such as linseed oil to preserve the raw look of the wood.

What is the life expectancy of a cedar fence?

Cedar. Cedar is one of the most durable and long-lasting woods, making it much more suitable as a material for fencing. It can last for more than 15 to 30 years and is exceptionally sustainable. Cedar wood requires much less maintenance and won’t weather as easily as spruce or pine.

How long will untreated cedar fence last?

Fences made of untreated cedar can last between 15 and 30 years, depending on how well you care for it and the specific cedar species used. If it’s treated, a cedar fence may last up to 40 years. Cedar consistently outlasts other wood species. A spruce fence typically lasts only four to seven years.

Does cedar stain well?

Staining the cedar is the absolute best way to ensure this, especially in areas that have four-season climates. Since Western Red Cedar naturally lacks pitch and resin, it allows for countless staining options and will accept stain very well if applied correctly.

Should you sand cedar before staining?

If your cedar deck is newly installed, you’ll need to sand* the cedar boards prior to staining. … The planing process causes an oily surface on the boards that can hinder the wood stain from penetrating the wood. For an existing deck, you may need to sand* to remove loose wood fibers.

How do you maintain a cedar fence?

Your cedar fence should be cleaned at least once a year. To do so, combine three quarts of warm water, a quart of oxygen bleach, and a fourth cup of non-ammonia dish soap into a garden sprayer, and dowse the fence with the solution.

Does Red Cedar turn GREY?

Red cedar is one of the most popular wood species for exterior use because of its natural rich, red color and its natural resistance to decay. … But one aspect is that cedar’s lovely red turns a monotonous gray surprisingly quickly. Once cedar has turned gray, there is no natural way of going back.

How do you keep cedar from turning GREY?

To prevent cedar from fading to gray, you need to seal cedar fence with a stain that blocks ultraviolet light and contains a mildewcide, according to Family Handyman.

Is Thompson's Water Seal good for cedar?

A new Waterproofing Stain from industry leader Thompson’s WaterSeal can not only protect your deck from further damage, but also add rich, beautiful color. … Choose from five popular colors: Acorn Brown, Harvest Gold, Maple Brown, Sequoia Red or Woodland Cedar.

How much does wood stain cost?

TypePriceWater-Based Deck Stain$20 – $90Oil-Based Deck Stain$35 – $120Solid Deck Stain$25 – $70Semi-Solid Deck Stain$40 – $90

How do you quote a fence stain?

Divide the total square footage by the coverage rate of the paint. This will give you the number of gallons of stain you will need. Multiply the number of gallons of stain by the cost. This is your cost of stain materials.

How do I calculate how much stain I need for my fence?

Divide the total square feet of fence to be stained by the coverage listed on the can. For example, if you have 1,000 square feet of fence and the stain says that 1 gallon covers 200 square feet, you would divide 1,000 by 200, which equals 5 gallons to cover the fence.

How many coats of stain do I need for a fence?

In most cases, solid-color stains are like traditional paint and need just one coat to protect your fence. Semi-transparent penetrating stains often need two coats, with the second coat applied approximately an hour after the first coat.

How long after rain Can I stain my fence?

Be sure to apply your stain at least 24 hours after rain and allow at least 24 hours before any more rain is expected. You want your fence to be completely dry throughout to best absorb the stain.

How long should I wait to stain a new cedar fence?

Remember, if you install a cedar fence it will need 5-7 weeks to dry in the sun before it will be ready for any kind of staining or treatment.

How do you prep a cedar fence for staining?

1. Step 1: Repairs. Examine your fence’s current condition. …
2. Step 2: Deep cleaning. It’s important to remove any dirt, mold or other grime from your fence before staining. …
3. Step 3: Rinsing. Rinse off the cleaner and any remaining bits of dirt with a pressurized hose.

What happens if you stain a dirty fence?

3. Clean the Fence. You never want to apply stain to a dirty fence. Wood fence stain will only trap any dirt and particulates existing on the fencing, and that grime may even cause the stain to not stick.

Can you legally paint your side of your Neighbours fence?

Your neighbour doesn’t have to change a wall or fence just because you want them to, for example making it higher for privacy. You can’t make changes to your side without their permission, such as painting it. If the wall or fence seems dangerous, point this out because your neighbour might not be aware.