Before the summer kicks into full swing, make sure your wooden fence is protected from the upcoming elements. If you’ve looked into options for weatherproofing your fence, you may be wondering whether it’s better to use an exterior paint on the fence or to stain it. While both options have benefits, professionals recommend using a stain rather than paint. Here are some of the most appealing benefits of staining your fence before the summer.

Staining’s Advantages Over Exterior Paint

1. More Aesthetically Pleasing

One of the biggest allures of using wood for a fence is the natural look provided by its unique color and grain. Adding a stain is an excellent way to highlight those features. Paint, on the other hand, masks wood’s natural traits. While paint may provide more colors to choose from, your coloring options for stains aren’t as limited as you may think. By choosing from different staining styles, you’ll be able to create the perfect fence to fit your home.

2. Better Absorption

Exterior paints are no match for a stain in terms of absorption. The stain will penetrate the wood much deeper, which in turns means it will last much longer. Paint will peel and chip away much quicker, requiring you to make touches to your fence more often. Stain, on the other hand, fades away slowly over time and requires less maintenance.

3. Protects from Rot

Exposure to mildew, mold, and termites causes wooden fences to rot quickly if they’re not protected. Not only does rot ruin the visual integrity of the structure; it can also become a safety hazard. A stain acts as a protective coating for your fence. By maintaining the stain coating over time, you’ll keep your fence rot-free much longer.

4. More Cost Efficient

Exterior paint may seem like the less expensive option because it costs less to get as much as you need when compared to a stain. In the long term, though, the costs will rack up. Paint chips away quicker than a stain fades, meaning that you’ll need to purchase more paint over time.

5. Guards Against the Elements

Another advantage of staining your fence is its effectiveness in protecting from the elements. When unprotected, sunlight exposure damages the wood. Staining the wood prevents any discoloring from occurring. It also keeps out moisture, which can penetrate the wood and lead to a freeze-thaw cycle that will destroy the fence’s integrity and require costly repairs.

 

 

Make sure your home’s fence is protected this summer by getting professional grade stains from the premier suppliers at Fairbanks Paint & Glass in Fairbanks, AK. Offering the widest selection of stains, exterior paints, and painting accessories, they have everything you need to make sure your home looks great and weathers the elements year-round. Call them at (907) 456-7758 or learn more about their offerings online.