- Cleaning before staining
- Staining and sealing new wood fences
- Restaining older fences
- One side or both sides
When Should You Stain a New Fence?
New wood usually needs to dry out first. Fresh lumber is often damp inside and has a smooth mill glaze on the surface, so stain that goes on too soon sits on top instead of soaking in, and it won't last. We check the wood and set the staining for when it's ready to take it. How long that takes depends on the wood and the weather.
For an older fence, try the water test. Splash some water on a few boards. If it beads up, the finish is still working. If it soaks in and darkens the wood, it's time for a new coat.
Spray, Roll or Brush?
Spraying is fast and gets into the gaps between overlapping boards, but on its own a lot of the stain sits on the surface. Brushing or rolling works stain into the wood better, but it's slow on a long fence.
So we do both. We spray the stain on, then back-brush it into the grain right away. That evens out drips and thin spots and gets the stain to soak in.
New Fence and Stain Together
If you're building a new wood or cedar privacy fence, plan the staining when you plan the build. We'll set it for once the wood has dried out enough to take stain, so it's on the calendar and not forgotten.
Staining a new fence keeps the color, slows cracking and cupping, and puts off the day you pay to replace it.
How Much Does Fence Staining Cost in Boerne?
What most jobs around Boerne cost, installed.
Price is per side. Staining both sides of the fence roughly doubles the footage.
What can raise or lower your price
- Condition Very gray or mildewed wood takes more cleaning.
- One side or both Price is per side of the fence.
- Height and style 8 ft and board-on-board have more surface to cover.
- Prep and protection Covering plants, siding and cars near the fence.
Worked examples: 150 ft of 6 ft fence, stained on one side, runs about $450 to $1,200.
What Hill Country Sun Does to Bare Wood
UV graying starts within months on bare cedar and pine around Boerne. The sun breaks down the wood fibers on the surface, turning them gray and rough. Then rain soaks into those dried-out fibers, the wood swells and shrinks, and pickets start to crack and cup.
A penetrating oil stain soaks into the wood rather than sitting on top like paint. It blocks much of the UV and lets water bead up and run off. It won't make a fence last forever, but it slows the graying, cracking and rot that push you toward a replacement.
What a Staining Job Looks Like
Most of the work is prep. The stain goes on last.
Why Choose Boerne Fence for Fence Staining?
Fence builders, not just painters
We spot loose boards and failing posts while we're there, and can fix them before the stain goes on.
Prep done right
Cleaning and drying time are what make stain last. We don't skip them to save a day.
Spray and back-brush
Fast coverage from the sprayer, worked into the grain with a brush so it soaks in evenly.
Clear prices
Priced by the foot, one side at a time. The estimate is free.
How a Fence Staining Job Works
- 01
Check the fence
We look at the wood, test whether water soaks in, and note any loose boards or posts to fix first.
- 02
Clean and brighten
Wood cleaner and brightener plus low-pressure washing take off gray fibers, mildew and mill glaze.
- 03
Let it dry
The wood needs to dry out before stain can soak in. We schedule the staining for a dry, mild stretch.
- 04
Stain and seal
Stain is sprayed and back-brushed into the wood, with siding, plants and cars covered against overspray.
Fence Staining Questions, Answered
What does fence staining cost, and is it worth it?
Per foot, staining costs a fraction of building a new wood fence. It slows graying, cracking and rot, which pushes back the day you pay to replace it.
When is the best time to stain a fence?
Once new wood has dried out enough to take stain, and on a dry, mild stretch of weather. Older fences are due when the wood grays and water soaks in instead of beading.
How often should a fence be restained?
Watch the water test: when water soaks into the boards instead of beading up, it's time. In Hill Country sun, that's usually every few years for a semi-transparent stain.
Can you stain an old gray fence?
Yes, if the posts and boards are sound. Cleaning and brightening takes off the gray surface layer so the stain can soak in. If boards are rotten or posts are leaning, we'll fix those first.
Do you use paint or stain?
Stain. A penetrating oil stain soaks into the wood and wears down gradually. Paint sits on top and peels, which makes the next round of upkeep much harder.
