Fence staining is a great way to extend the life of a wooden fence. The stain enriches the color of the wood and protects it from the elements. Whether you’re rejuvenating a grey wood fence or protecting your new fence from long-term damage, a top-quality stain can help you reach your goals.
It’s important to choose the right time to stain a fence. Doing this too soon may not yield long-lasting results, but waiting too long may hurt the lifespan of your fencing. We’re here to help you find the happy medium. Read on to learn when the best time is to stain a fence.
Wait at Least 3 Weeks after Installation
You may think that fence staining should occur immediately after installation, but that isn’t a good idea. Since wood expands and contracts, it needs a little time to settle into its new environment. The same goes for decking or any other outdoor wood features. We recommend waiting at least three weeks after fence installation before getting your fence stained. That timeframe may need to adjust for inclement weather and other variables. We can help you figure out timing during your fence staining consultation.
Stain a Fence after It Dries out (Use This Quick Dryness Test!)
Before you stain a fence, it needs to be fully dried. This allows the wood to thoroughly absorb the stain. You want the stain to be a barrier for all the nooks and crannies in the wood. This won’t happen if the wood still has moisture in it. If you are getting an oil-based fence stain, the water may also prevent proper bonding with the wood. Oil and water do not mix.
After a rainstorm, wait at least 24 hours before getting your fence stained. There’s an easy way to test if your fence is ready for staining. Simply put a drop of water on one of your fence posts or on the horizontal rails along your fencing. If the water absorbs right away, the fence is ready for staining. If it remains a bead or falls right off the fence, you need to wait a little longer before you stain your fence.
Fence Staining for Older Fences
If you have an older fence that has already greyed out, you can still stain it. However, you will need to complete a few extra steps to make sure the stain is effective. This preparation will be included in your fence staining quote from All Around Fence, LLC.
- Power wash the fencing to reveal the rich wood color underneath the grey tint.
- Check for damages and replace any broken, missing or warped fence posts.
- Allow the fence to dry after power washing; then stain the fence.
Some older fences are not worth staining because they are worn beyond repair. For instance, if your fence posts are mostly brittle boards, they probably aren’t secured well to the support braces. There is no sense staining a fence that will fall apart in a couple years. At that point, you are better off getting a new fence and protecting that with a stain. Once again, we can evaluate these circumstances during your consultation.
Get Your Free Fence Staining Quote
There are many factors that go into choosing the best time to stain a fence. That’s why it’s best to leave it up to the pros. The fence installers here at All Around Fence, LLC have years of experience with fence staining, fence repair, fence replacement and new fence installation. If you’d like a free quote for fence staining, contact us at 443-838-9374. We will gladly answer all your questions and help you find the right solution for your fencing.
