Like everything that a person designs in their home, the look of the fence is probably one of the most important ones. Here the face of it is a matter of a person’s taste. Many people like a classic and painted look, while others like the textured stained because they all like a texture’s dimensions. However, it is beautiful to look at. A beautiful wooden fence creates a stunning look in any home. However, before choosing a paint or stain, you need to understand its pros and cons.
Pros of Painting a wood fence
A person can choose to leave their fence bare or without applying anything; this may also shorten its overall lifespan. Over time, we all can see that an unfinished wood fence could warp, twist, split, or even develop a mold in it. So to protect it from all types of natural elements, a person should always consider painting the fence. You can also view different alternatives to the wood fencing that you may prefer to do neither of them. Let’s know the benefits of painting a wooden fence:
- For many years, a decent coat of paint will provide a layer of protection from the breeze, sun, and moisture, preventing premature decomposition.
- Wood does not stay long in the elements on its own. Paint can help seal the wood, extend your fence’s life and protect your investment.
Cons of painting wooden fence
If we saw limited stain options many years ago, paint was the most obvious choice. However, we all know that painting requires a lot of maintenance and hard work. Moreover, a person can find many ways to get just the right look with a good quality stain these days.
- One disadvantage of paint is that it tends to flake over time.
- Natural wood, unlike paint, does not chip or flake if adequately cared for.
- As a result, paint can peel and leave an unsightly lattice of fractured pigment and primer. Instead of a patchwork of web-like wood cracks, you want a fence that appears like a fence.
Can I paint a wood fence with a stain on it?
No, you simply cannot. If you decide or want to paint your fence, you can expect it to start cracking and peeling off it after just a few years. It always depends on the quality of the paint you choose and the weather of the area you live in. When the time comes that it is important to repaint your fence in the house, all you have to do is remove all the existing paint from it. Then, you have to prep the surface and apply the fresh new paint. It usually takes a great deal of time, which also costs a lot more money in the long run.
Should I approach a fence company for paint or stain?
Yes, you can approach a fence company for paint or stain because they all are professionals in their job. Here the fence contractor will make the work very easy for you and finish them off in less time.
Pros of staining a wood fence
If we see, staining is a much better option than simply painting a fence most of the time. It is also true that the stain eventually fades and must reapply, but this usually takes several years. Also, the color doesn’t peel or crack, and it often requires significantly less preparation than the repainting of the fence.
The stain always comes in many different shades and different types of transparencies. Some of them are pretty clear. Stain always provides waterproofing and a good amount of protection for your fence without changing its original wooden color. But, some of them are also semi-transparent.
Staining darkens the original wood, but it still allows the grain of the wood to show through. It mainly emphasizes the natural beauty of the wood. Other strains are more of an opaque type. Staining is simply mimicking the appearance of a painted fence without nearly as much as its maintenance.
There are numerous advantages:
- Rot prevention
- Protect from UV rays
- Avoid splitting
- Enhance the appearance of wood grain
- Increase fence life expectancy
Cons of staining a wooden fence
Staining a wooden fence is quite expensive compared to painting. It also takes a lot of time to stain a fence, but it usually lasts for only 2-5 years. Keep yourself informed on the drawbacks of staining your fence, such as:
- Need more time for setting
- Your fence will require a new coat of wood stain after two or three years.
- A temperature criterion
FAQs
When can I stain my new wood fence?
A person has to power-wash the fence to produce a relatively clean and prepped surface for their staining. The stain often costs more than the paint upfront, but because a person does not have to re-stain it nearly as often, the cost is much lower in the long term.
If the fence is made of pressure-treated wood, it may take 3-4 months for the posts to dry sufficiently, which can be determined with a moisture meter.
What is the cost of painting a wood fence?
Nowadays, most of the available colors are oil-based, or they can also be water-based, and each of them has distinct characteristics. The cost usually varies from $1 to $2.50 per square foot.
How to approach a professional fence contractor?
If you are a person who is thinking about installing a new wood fence in the house, then you might have a lot of questions about how to install it and how to finish it. So you can approach a professional fence contractor by simply calling us and having an appointment.
Conclusion
If you want the look of a good old traditional white picket fence, but you don’t want to repaint it or maintain it every few years, then you can use the vinyl fencing as a low-maintenance alternative. The vinyl never needs to be stained, painted, or never needs to be maintained.