Back Yard – Page 2 – The Home Finisher

A good looking, sturdy wood fence is a pivotal piece of a complete back yard and does wonders in improving the overall aesthetic of your yard. There's just one problem... they don't last forever. Replacement costs for a new fence can range anywhere from $3 to $13 per linear foot just for the materials (That adds up!) So, keeping your existing fence in the best possible condition can be a huge cost savings. One of the best ways to proactively prepare your fence for future weathering is with a good seal to protect the wood. Most wooden privacy, split rail, and picket fences are made of cedar or redwood which is typically more resistant to the elements than other types of construction wood but still isn’t completely resistant to moisture, so any anything you can do to limit its exposure to water and direct sunlight will help prolong the life of the wood. While the overall useful life of your wood fence is largely dependent on where you live and what conditions the wood is exposed to, including moisture levels, wind, and direct sunlight; Moisture resistant stain can extend the life of a wood fence from around 10 years to over 20 years, if properly maintained. Staining your wood fence can be an excellent way to make your yard more visually appealing and save yourself costs down the road. However, there are some specific things to consider when it comes to staining your wood fence. Choosing a Stain When it comes to choosing the right stain for you, there are a few main factors to consider. You will want to select an oil-based stain with a UV inhibitor, which will keep out moisture, prevent the wood from rotting, and limits the suns damaging effects on the wood. As far as cost, Most stains range in price from $15 to $50 per gallon.Wood stains come in clear, semi transparent, and solid color options. All options provide protection for the wood and are mostly differentiated on their color profile. Clear Stains do not alter the natural color of the wood, Semi transparent stains are slightly darker but still allow the wood's natural grains and color to show through, and solid color stains are heavier bodied and are a good alternative to paint as they come in a wide variety of color options. While a solid color stain does provide necessary UV protection and moisture resistance, it is the most likely of the three to peel and chip as the pigment does not soak into the wood but rather coats the surface like a paint. Some of the most highly regarding stain / sealant products in the market at the time of this writing are;- Behr DeckPlus Water Proofing Stain- Sears WeatherBeater Brand Stain - Ace Wood Royal Deck and Siding Stain- Benjamin-Moore Arborcoat Deck and SidingOne final point to consider when selecting a fence stain is the color scheme of the rest of your home and yard. If you have any other wood features in your back yard such as a deck or a wood bench, make sure to the match the color of the stain to the existing color of the other features to tie the yard together. Applying a Stain Once you have chosen the best stain to meet your needs, you will need to decide to either have a professional apply the stain for you or to apply it yourself. To have a professional do it will usually cost around $8 per linear foot depending on your contractor and where you live. If you decide to apply the stain yourself, there are several items you will need depending on the method you use. Most often, stain is applied using either a paint roller or a paint sprayer which can be rented from most hardware stores.You will need: A fine grit sanding blockA large drop clothPainter's TapeA 2" synthetic paint brush (Recommended)A paint panA paint roller (Optional)A paint sprayer (Optional)A water resistant, oil-based wood stain First, before you begin staining your fence you will want to make sure it has been completely stripped and cleaned. Depending on the current surface of your fence, you may need to sand off old paint or a previous stain using a sanding block. Additionally, to get all the moss, dirt, and other discoloring off your fence, it may help to mix a combination of 20% bleach and 80% warm water and scrub your fence with it using a stiff bristle brush. This will kill any potential mold spores that may be forming. After your fence has been cleaned, let the wood completely dry over the next couple of days before applying the stain. Start by masking off any areas that you do not want to be stained with your painter's tape and lay your drop cloth over the grass and any other area you do not want to risk getting stained. If using a paint roller, wet the roller in the paint pan and begin rolling 2 to 3 foot vertical sections of fence at a time. Make sure to apply an even coat and to roll back over any areas that may still be dry or where stain appears to be pooling. Simply repeat this process down the entire length of the fence. If using a paint sprayer, stand approximately 1 to 2 feet away from the fence to where you be able to get a wide enough spray path to cover a two foot wide section at a time. Continue this down the entire length of the fence. After you have applied an even coat down the entire fence, go back and inspect your work. Touch up any hard to reach areas with your smaller synthetic paint brush. If you are going for a darker color shade, you may want to go back over the fence with a second coat to deepen the color profile on the wood. Now that your fence has been completely stained, let the fence dry according to the manufacturer's label (usually takes a day or so). Another helpful tip is to adjust the sprinklers in the vicinity of the fence to limit contact over the following week while the stain sets into the wood. Re-stain Your Fence Every 3-5 Years Staining your fence will definitely extend the life span of your wood fence but to get optimal results and to keep your fence looking the best it can, experts recommend thoroughly cleaning and re-staining your fence every three to five years. This will allow you to clear off any potential moisture trapping that may be happening and to properly protect the wood underneath. The Benefits of Staining The principles and steps we talked about in this post are generally applicable to any wood fixture you have in your yard including a deck, a bench, etc. Matching the stain color profile of these items in your yard will make your yard look color coordinated and very pulled together, not to mention it will extend the life of your wood products and save you some serious money in the long run. In terms of property value, a good fence can be a critical box that needs to be checked in order to sell your home or just increase value. The majority of buyers in the market are looking for a potential purchase to have a fence for their pets, children, and just all around security of their yard. While there might not be hard and fast numbers in terms of return on investment for building or improving your fence, most real estate agents agree that homes with a great looking, well maintained fence attract more buyers and command more value than homes without. Other Uses for Stain The stain you select for your fence can also be used to stain other wood fixtures in your yard. This will create great color synergy and will really tie your yard together.Here is an example of a bench stain I did in my back yard. Not only did the stain make the bench match my fence, but it made the bench look WAY better and will help it last much longer.