Once you get a new wooden fence on your property, you may have some initial concerns. You may be worried your fence will age and not look as nice in the future. One question many ask is whether you should leave the fence natural, paint, or stain it. Each option has pros and cons. The following are some helpful tips to help you make an informed decision.

Fence Paint

Painting a fence used to be one of the most popular finishing methods for a fence. You can choose your own colors to customize the look of your fence, which is attractive to many homeowners. However, paint needs a lot of regular maintenance. Because paint has the tendency to peel or crack over time, you should plan to repaint the fence every few years.

When you repaint the fence, you need to completely remove the old paint. Also, you need to sand and prepare the bare fence for new paint so the paint applies more smoothly and evenly.

If you want a white fence and you have no desire to paint every few years, you could opt for a white vinyl fence instead. White vinyl fencing is easy to maintain and never needs paint or stain. You simply need to power wash the fence on occasion to keep it clean.

Fence Stain

Stain is a popular option for wooden fences. Stain does not require as much regular maintenance like paint. With stain, you will not have to reapply it as often, unlike paint. The stain will fade but will not crack or peel away.

If you do need to reapply the stain, you do not have to prep the wood fence like you do for painting. You simply need to clean the fence with deck cleaner or with a power washer to prepare the surface for restaining. You will not spend time scraping like you would if you opt for paint.

You have several options when you plan to stain the fence. A solid stain allows you to have a painted look without the hassle of paint. Solid stain does not let the woodgrain show through it, so if you prefer a painted look but do not want to paint, this is an ideal option.

You also have the option of semi-transparent stain, which is what many people think of when you consider staining your wood. You can choose from a variety of shades that highlight the wood. You can also apply a clear stain if you prefer a natural look but want to protect your fence from water damage.

Natural Fence

The other option is to leave the wooden fence natural. If you do this, the wood will weather as time goes by. You do not need to do any maintenance to a natural, untreated fence, particularly if you prefer the weathered look. The rustic look of a natural fence is trendy for homeowners.

If you decide you no longer want to have a rustic, weathered fence, you can easily power wash the wood and stain or paint. You can also power wash and leave the wood natural if you just want to spruce up your fence.

Natural wood is beautiful when left to weather. Some cedars, for instance, will eventually turn to a lovely shade of light grey. However, if you do want a less rustic, more finished fence, you need to at least consider staining with a clear coat of stain to prevent the weathering process.

Before you make your final decision, think about the different costs and maintenance each option requires. A fence is a costly investment, so choose what you think is best for your home.

If you need assistance with a fence, please contact us at Duke Fence Co., Inc.