Skip to content
Care and Repair

How to Stain a Wood Fence So It Lasts

Key takeaways

  • Wash and let the fence dry fully
  • Stain in mild, dry weather out of direct sun
  • Thin coats last longer than thick ones
  • Check the fence yearly and touch up

Staining is the best care you can give a wood fence.

Prep

Remove dirt and mildew, fix loose boards and let the wood dry.

Apply

Work in mild, dry weather and apply thin, even coats, back-brushing sprayed stain so it soaks in.

Keep it up

A quick yearly look catches worn spots before they spread. If you would rather skip the work, a staining and sealing service handles it.

Related services

Questions about your own property? Call or text 800-224-9245, or use the estimate form below.

Free estimate

Let's raise your line.

Tell us about the property and what the fence needs to do. We read every message and reply with clear next steps and a time for your free estimate. We read every message and reply with clear next steps and a time for your free estimate.

  • The fence: where it goes, what it needs to do, the gates you want and the look you like
  • Your city, a rough size and any result you saved from a tool on this site
  • A detailed, no-obligation estimate with the scope, the materials, the gates and the timeline, before anything begins
Prefer to talk? Call or text800-224-9245

Your estimate request

Prefer to type? Text your request. We only use your details to respond to your request.