5 Benefits of Staining & Sealing Your Wood Fence

Your fence provides privacy, serves as protection to your home and improves the aesthetic appearance of your property. However, you may be wondering: should you stain a fence? Some people may ask what benefits can be gained from sealing and staining. We’ll answer that question in this blog post and provide you with the details of fence staining and sealing.

Should You Stain a Fence?

Fence staining is a personal preference, and while it adds a modern touch to your home, stains and seals also protect the wood from rot and harsh elements. In addition, it can save you plenty of money since you avoid the cost of replacing the wood and labor for reconstruction work.

Aside from the benefits of sealing and staining, some homeowners ask how often should I stain a fence? The best time to apply stains and seals depends on how long your fence has been around.

What Is Fence Staining and Sealing

Applying a stain and seal to your fence protects the wood from insects, ultraviolet rays (UV), water and other harsh weather conditions. Dyes penetrate the wood while adding color pigments to your fence. It also prevents insects from burrowing into the wood.

On the other hand, a sealant is applied to the exterior of the wood, creating a protective layer and preventing the paint and finish from chemically reacting to the wood’s natural extracts. Together, a stain and seal lengthen your fence’s life and allow you to pick its colors and improve its aesthetics.

Benefits of Staining and Sealing Fences

There are several benefits to staining and sealing fences. Some may think they’re an added cost, but it’s important to remember you’re saving money in the long-term since you avoid expensive repair and replacement.

Increases Lifespan

The main reason for staining and sealing a wooden fence is to extend its serviceable life. The rain and water from your sprinklers can cause certain types of wood, like pine, to warp when it gets soaked in water. Sealants and stains prevent water from seeping into the wood. In addition, they also help to minimize discoloration and the breakdown of wooden fibers.

Enhances Wood Grain

Some types of wood, like cedar, have beautiful natural grain, which improves the appeal of your yard. The grains add a more down-to-earth theme to your home. For example, adding stains to a wooden fence will make the grain’s patterns pop, increasing its overall visual appeal.

Prevents Mold Build-Up and Rotting

Moisture isn’t beneficial to a wooden fence. When wood is left outdoors, it becomes prone to rotting, so it is best to have it sealed and stained. Rotting wood reduces the visual appeal of your fence, and it can even cause the structure to collapse. Furthermore, once your wooden fence starts to deteriorate, there’s no way to reverse the process. Your only option is to replace the rotting wood planks. Because of this phenomenon, it is crucial to stain and seal your wooden fence to prevent mold build-up and rotting.

Color Matching

Wood stains come in a variety of pigments and dyes, allowing you to match the color of your fence with the overall theme of your yard. In addition, some of the modern wood stains used today come in various colors such as blue, green and gray, giving you more options.

Apart from that, a wood sealer also acts as a solid base for your finish. It helps to preserve the natural beauty of the wood and its grain. If you use untreated wood for your fence, it will still contain some of its organic qualities. It means the wood can retain some of its extractives and tannins, which can mix and react with the finish or paint, resulting in an unpleasant color combination.

Applying a sealant can prevent these particles from reacting. In addition, using them allows you to control and design the aesthetic features of your fence.

Protection from Harsh Elements

Stains and seals do more than just make your fence look beautiful. They also form a protective barrier preserving the fibers and protecting the wood from the sun’s harmful rays.

Direct sunlight can dull the colors of your wooden fence, making it look old and faded due to UV exposure. You can protect your wooden fence by pre-staining wooden pieces, ensuring long-lasting ultraviolet protection. Apart from preserving the structural integrity of your fence, applying stains and sealants can maintain the look of your fence for several years.

When To Stain and Seal Fences

The best time to stain and seal a wooden fence is around eight weeks after it is installed. If you used pressure-treated wood, you’ll need to wait a few weeks longer. This waiting period will allow the wood to reduce its moisture content, making the process of staining and sealing much easier.

The best time to install a wooden fence and treat it is during summer when the weather is typically hot. However, it is always best to avoid applying stains and seals in full sun. Instead, you can use them in the morning or when it’s partly cloudy.

How Often To Stain and Seal Fences

How often should I stain a fence? As a rule, stains and sealants should be applied to wooden fences every five years. However, you should still check the manufacturer’s instructions when you buy these products. Some brands need to be used every two to three years. In addition, remember to stain the wood first and then seal it afterward.

Preserve the Life of Your Fence With the Best Professional Services

So, should you stain a fence? We highly recommend you stain and seal your wooden fence to preserve its service life. However, at As Good As New LLC, we understand that homeowners may not have the time or skill to get the job done correctly. So, to help you out, we offer our technical expertise so you can rest easy, knowing your property is in good hands.

Fill out this form today so we can determine how best to help you.