Why Paint A Wood Fence When You Can Stain It?

Fences can increase the resale value of a house in addition to containing pets and children

. They also keep out unwanted animals and people. They provide a barrier against shifting earth plus making a marker for property lines. Nothing looks prettier than a neatly painted white picket fence. On the other hand, nothings says class better than an attractively stained fence. Let's examine some facets of staining a fence.

Geography

First and foremost, assess the location. If people live in a moist area where it rains perpetually or is very humid, they might want to contact a Dallas fence company for guidance. Wood needs to cure. After the wood cures, staining will be next to impossible because the wood will need to be very dry. If the area to be fenced is very large, at least two un-wet weeks will be necessary for the wood to dry and the stain to set.

The Wood

The wood chosen for fencing is equally important. The most popular woods for fences are southern pine, cedar, oak and teak. Southern pine is soft and will not withstand the test of time. It will warp and buckle. It is also the cheapest of the woods and most used for fencing. Cedar, oak and teak are harder woods and will better handle a stain. Pine is susceptible to weathering and pests, which will make it necessary to retreat the wood every few years. Oak, teak and cedar are weathering and pest resistant. These woods will not give owners any trouble for up to 40 years.

The Clean Fence

Before even choosing a stain, clean the wood. Mold, mildew and weathering discolor the wood. Using half water and half bleach, clean the fence with a wire brush. Rinse well and allow to dry. When the wood is thoroughly dry, it will take the stain better and last longer.

The Stain

Stains come in transparent, semi-transparent and solid. Transparent stains allow the natural pattern of the wood to shine through, but the protection level is next to nothing. Semi-transparent is the way to go if folks don't want the fence to look like paint, which is how solid stain presents itself.

The Application

Spraying the stain on the fence is the best method of staining a fence. It is quick and easy. However, the strength of the stain may prohibit using a sprayer. Transparent stains are thinner and will go on easily. The protection of transparent stains, though, isn't very good. Semi-transparent stains are thicker, with better protection. It won't go through a sprayer very well, unfortunately. So a brush or roller will probably be the best bet for applying the stain to the fence. A Dallas fence company will have the necessary application methods in stock.

The Application: Part Two

No one wants to do hard work by themselves. Make a party out of it and have some fun with the fence staining project. Invite the siblings, neighbors or church members. Fire up the grill and offer steaks or fish, burgers and dogs. Have a keg of something on hand because it's going to be thirsty work. Provide bottled water and sodas, ice cream or something else wet with which to make the project more fun. Folks will be surprised how quickly the work will go, and how much un-work-like it will feel. People will enjoy a sense of helping, and the owners will have a lovely fence.

by: Jordan McPelt

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