The stain on your wood fence plays an integral role. It acts as a barrier between the wood and moisture. If the moisture gets to the wood, it can cause the material to warp or rot. This damage happens even with wood that's been pressure-treated with a preservative. Therefore, you need to maintain the integrity of your fence with a stain.



How often you have to stain your fence depends on the weather of your region. People in rainy locales can expect to stain more often than dry locales. Regardless, plan to re-stain your fence every three years or so. When the time comes, use the tips in this blog to choose a good stain for the job.



Consider Oil-Based or Latex Stains



Both oil-based and latex stains will protect your fence from moisture. However, they differ significantly in application and function.



Latex stains are easy to apply. You typically just roll them on and clean up with a brush. Oil-based stains are a little trickier to apply. You can use a brush to ensure it soaks into the wood. Conversely, you can saturate the wood with a roller and go back with a brush to ensure it's smooth. Latex dries in about two hours, while oil-based stain takes four to five hours to cure.



The latex stain stays on the surface of the wood, creating an external barrier. The barrier is very effective unless it gets dinged or scratched. Oil-based stains penetrate the wood, protecting it from the inside. You can apply a sealant afterward to prolong the finish.



Ultimately, both do a good job of protecting your fence. Your choice may come down to appearance, then. Latex stains are more opaque, so you don't see much of the wood graining. Oil-based stains highlight the wood staining.



Look Into Color Options



The other main consideration for your stain is what color you'll choose. Your options range from a translucent highlight stain to an opaque paint.



First, look around your neighborhood for other wood fences. Whenever possible, you want to keep with the culture of your neighborhood. So, look to see if your neighbors have opaque or translucent stain on their fences. Indeed, look into the guidelines for your home owners' association as they may contain definitive regulations.



Additionally, consider the style of your house. Some houses call for a specific style of fence. For example, cottage houses look best with a white fence. Ranch houses look good with a naturally-stained fence. 



Finally, consider also the landscaping in your yard. Your yard and fence should work to complement each other. Consider if you want the fence to blend into the background, in which case you might choose a natural staining. Conversely, you may want it to serve as a backdrop for your landscaping, so a more vibrant color might be appropriate.



Narrow Down Your Choices



Chances are you'll settle on a small selection of stains that you like rather than a singular standout. You may even be looking at completely different styles, such as a light opaque and a bold translucent. Once you have the selection down to, say, three or four, it's time for a test patch.



Hopefully you wouldn't paint your house or even just a room without first testing a patch. The fence carries just as much visual weight. So, once you've thoroughly prepared the fence for the staining process, find an inconspicuous spot. The backside of a post is ideal, but an out of the way picket also works.



Using a small brush, apply a strip of the target stain to the prepared area. Right next to or below the first strip, apply the remaining stain possibilities. You want to have the strips next to each other so you can compare colors and/or intensities. Even if you've narrowed down your selection to one, take time for the test strip to ensure you've made the desired choice.



Keep your fence fresh and handsome with a regular application of outdoor stain. When you're ready for a new fence, call Duke Fence Co., Inc. for a price quote.