A wood fence is a great investment for your home or business, providing privacy, security, and curb appeal. However, if left untreated, your fence can quickly become weathered, discolored, and even structurally weak. That’s where staining comes in! Staining your wood fence not only enhances its appearance but also extends its lifespan, making it a crucial part of fence maintenance.

Two Main Reasons to Stain Your Fence –

1. Protection Against the Elements

Wood is naturally vulnerable to moisture, which can lead to structural deterioration due to warping, cracking, splitting, rotting, along with mold and mildew growth. Exposed wood pulls moisture from the air and absorbs rainwater. With Georgia’s humid climate and intense sunlight, this creates the right circumstances for these issues to arise rapidly. A high-quality stain creates a protective barrier that repels water and prevents damage from rain, humidity, and even snow. A stained fence can still experience these issues, although to a much lesser extent due to the protective barrier the stain provides.

2. Defense Against UV Rays

UV rays are the biggest cause of appearance deterioration, including the natural graying process. The sun’s UV rays can cause unprotected wood to grey and dry out, leading to cracks and splinters over time. Most stains contain UV inhibitors that help maintain your fence’s natural color while preventing sun damage. It’s important to note that although clear transparent stains can protect wood from water damage, they typically do not protect against UV rays. The pigment in a wood stain is what blocks and reflects the damaging UV rays of the sun.

Choosing the Right Stain

There are three main types of stains to consider using to protect your wooden fence, each differing in how much protection they offer and the amount of wood grain visible after application.

• Transparent Stains highlight the natural beauty of the wood while providing minimal UV protection. Clear and transparent stains need a touchup more often.
• Semi-Transparent Stains offer a balance of color enhancement and protection while still allowing the wood grain to show through. Semi-transparent stains last 2 to 3 years.
• Solid Stains provide the most coverage and protection, resembling paint but still show some of the texture of the wood. Solid stains on decks may protect up to 5 to 7 years.

At Summit Fence, we exclusively use Sherwin Williams Super Deck Premium Exterior Modified Oil- Based Stain which comes in both transparent and semi-transparent colors, as well as Sherwin Williams Water-based solid stain.

When Should I Stain My Wood Fence?

That is a great question! It’s always a great idea to seal or stain your new wood fence, but you want to do it correctly and with the right timing, being mindful of the weather before, during, and after staining.

• Timing: We exclusively use Sherwin Williams’ stains, so we follow their staining recommendations which say to wait 6-8 weeks. This is because pressure treated lumber has a certain degree of moisture that is pushed into the wood during the treatment process. Due to that, you want to allow most of that moisture in the wood to dry out and acclimate once the fence is in place. Drying and acclimation times can vary depending on weather conditions and the time of year that you are staining. If you stain your fence too soon, the stain won’t adhere properly due to moisture trapped in the wood, potentially leading to peeling or uneven color application. This means the entire fence may need to be re-stained, which typically results in uneven color distribution.
• Weather: Weather plays a significant role in staining a fence because extreme temperatures, rain, and high humidity can prevent the stain from properly penetrating and drying on the wood, leading to uneven application, poor adhesion, and a shortened lifespan of the stain if not applied in ideal conditions. The best time to stain a fence is when it’s dry, not too hot, and not too cold. The recommendation for using Sherwin Williams stain is that the fence be dry, (so not recently rained or heavy dew in the morning), not forecasted to rain for the next 24 hours after staining, and the temperature of the wood surface needs to be between 50 degrees Fahrenheit or over.

For older fences (or fences constructed more than about 6 months ago), power washing is also recommended before the stain is applied. Once your fence is clean and dry, which normally takes several days, it will be ready for staining.

Final Thoughts

Staining your wood fence is a small investment that pays off in the long run. It protects against weather damage, enhances beauty, and extends the life of your fence. If your fence is looking dull or weathered, consider giving it a fresh coat of stain—it’s a simple step that makes a big difference!

For the best staining in the Atlanta area, give our fencing company a call today! Staining is the best move to make when it comes to protection and beautification of your wood fence.