How To Stain A Fence - The Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Staining your fence is a rewarding and straightforward DIY project that not only restores the natural beauty of your wooden fence but also provides a vital layer of protection against the elements. In this beginner's guide to how to stain your fence we walk you through how to achieve a professional-quality stain finish on your fence that will last for years to come!

3 Benefits Of Staining Your Fence

Staining your fence is a smart investment that offers both aesthetic and practical benefits. While staining does require some effort and a monetary investment, it is a proactive step that protects your property and saves you from the greater costs of major repairs or replacement down the line. Here's a quick breakdown of the key reasons why you should stain your fence.

1. Protection From The Elements

Perhaps the main reason why people choose to stain their fence is to protect it from the elements, something that is particularly important here in NZ due to the coastal nature of many of our homes. Wood is a natural material that is quite susceptible to damage from the environment, whether it's sea salt, wet weather or unrelenting sunshine!

• UV Rays: The sun's ultraviolet rays will eventually cause untreated wood to discolour over time, leading to a grey, weathered appearance (especially in NZ where the UV rays are particularly harsh). The pigment in a wood stain acts a bit like sunscreen, protecting the wood and prolonging its useful lifespan.

• Moisture: Rain, snow, and even high humidity means wood will absorb water. The repeated moisture absorption and drying process can lead to swelling, warping, and cracking. When the weather gets really cold in South Island places like Dunedin, Invercargill or Christchurch, the absorbed water can even freeze causing the wood to split. A good fence stain creates a protective barrier that helps to seal the wood and prevent too much moisture from penetrating it.

• Rot, Mould, And Mildew: Excess moisture in timber creates a perfect environment for fungi to make themselves at home. Staining your fence helps prevent the growth of rot, mould, and mildew, which not only looks bad but can also cause structural damage over the longer term.

  
  

2. Enhanced Appearance

Staining your fence can dramatically improve its look and the overall appearance of your property, instantly creating a more finished and coherent overall look. Unlike paint, which completely covers the wood grain, most stains (especially semi-transparent ones) allow the natural beauty and texture of the wood to show through. This creates a rich, natural, and sophisticated look.

• Restores And Adds Colour: If your fence is already weathered and grey, a stain can bring back some of the wood's natural beauty, or add a statement colour. Fence stain come in a wide variety of colours, from natural wood tones to more modern greys and blacks, allowing you to customise the look of your fence to match your home's style.

• Boosts Property Values: A well-maintained and attractive fence contributes to your home's kerb appeal, which can aid in the all-important first impression of a property, potentially increasing its value and making it more appealing to potential buyers if you decide to sell.

  
  

3. Extended Lifespan

Fence stain is very effective in protecting your fence from the elements, thereby significantly extending its expected lifespan. An untreated fence will deteriorate much faster than a stained one, leading to the need for costly repairs or even a full replacement.

A stained fence is easier to clean and maintain than an untreated one. A quick rinse with a garden hose is often all that's needed to remove dirt, grime and insects. Re-staining is also generally easier than repainting, as you don't have to deal with peeling or chipping paint.

When To Stain Your Fence

When it comes to staining a fence in New Zealand, the timing is crucial due to our unique and often unpredictable weather patterns. The goal is to choose a period that allows the wood to be properly prepped for the stain, and then allows the stain to cure without being affected by rain, extreme heat, or high humidity.

The best time to stain your fence in most parts of New Zealand is mid-to-late spring (October/November) or early autumn (March/April). This is because you get the most favourable conditions for the job including:

• Moderate Temperatures: Stains and paints perform best when applied in mild temperatures, typically between 15°C and 25°C. Spring and autumn tend to naturally provide these types of conditions, which are ideal for preventing the stain from drying too quickly (leading to an uneven, patchy finish) or too slowly.

• Lower Humidity: High humidity can significantly extend the drying and curing time of the stain, making it more susceptible to smudges, dirt or insects sticking to it, and an uneven finish. Spring and autumn generally have lower humidity levels than summer.

• Settled Weather: During spring and autumn, you are more likely to experience consecutive days of stable, fine weather, which is ideal for proper preparation and application.

  
  

When Not To Stain Your Fence

While it is still possible (depending on your location and weather conditions), avoiding mid-summer and winter is advisable in the majority of cases. While it's tempting to tackle this kind of outdoors project in summer, the intense New Zealand sun and high UV levels can cause the stain to dry on the surface before it has a chance to properly penetrate the wood, leading to a poor, short-lived finish. The high heat can also make the work uncomfortable and cause lap marks.

In contrast, the colder temperatures experienced in much of the country during the winter months and frequent rain and overcast days are all obstacles to successfully staining your fence. This is because the stain may not be able to dry correctly, or absorb properly, and you run the risk of it washing away your work (and money) during heavy rain.

Types Of Fence Stain

How do you know what type of fence stain to use? When selecting a wood stain, you'll find that they are primarily categorised in two ways: by their base (what the pigment is suspended in) and by their opacity (how much of the wood grain they cover).

There are two base types that dictate the most fundamental differences between fence stains, and three types of opacity that further affect the application, durability, and overall finish.

• Oil-Based Stains: A traditional type of stain that provides deep penetration, the oil molecules in the stain are small and penetrate deep into the wood fibres, nourishing and protecting the wood from the inside out. Oil-based stains have a longer drying time than water-based stains, which can be tricky in unpredictable weather conditions. Oil-based stains generally contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have a strong odour and require good ventilation during application. You will need mineral spirits or paint thinner for cleanup with oil based stains.

• Water-Based Stains: An increasingly popular choice due to technological advancements that have made these products more durable and user-friendly. Water-based stains have little or no VOCs, meaning they have a low odour and are much better for the environment. Water-based timber stains are also fast drying, allowing you to apply a second coat or complete the project in a single day – plus they are super easy for cleanup as you only need soap and water to clean brushes and gear. Insider tip - look for water-based stains with linseed oil that work to nourish the timber without the drawbacks of oil-based stains.

  
  

Stain Types By Opacity

Opacity is more about the finished look and how much of the natural wood grain you want to show through. The more opaque the stain, the more protection it offers from UV rays and the more of the natural wood grain is concealed.

1. Semi-Transparent Fence Stain: Adds a hint of colour while still allowing the texture and grain of the wood to show through. Less commonly used in NZ, but still an option if you wish to retain a more transparent appearance.

2. Solid Fence Stain: The most common option for NZers, solid stains are essentially a paint-like product that is designed to penetrate into the wood. These types of stains completely cover the wood grain and provide a more uniform, opaque finish. These are great for almost all applications, including weathered or discoloured fences that have numerous imperfections.

   
   

Top 3 Fence Staining Tips To Takeaway

Regardless of the season, time of day or type of fence, there are a few golden rules you should follow for the best results when staining your fence. Here are our top tips for here in NZ.

1. Always Wait For The Wood To Weather

If you have built a new fence, you need to allow the wood to “weather” (particularly if it's treated pine). This means just leaving it be for a period of time before applying stain to allow the moisture from the treatment process to evaporate and the wood to settle. Leaving wood to weather helps prevent warping and ensures the stain can properly penetrate the timber. A general rule, it is good to wait at least 6 weeks (maybe longer depending on the location). Some professionals even recommend waiting for up to 6-12 months or for the fence to go through a full seasonal cycle.

2. Don’t Forget To Check The Forecast

You will need a window of at least 3-4 consecutive dry days for the entire process (of course, this will depend on the size of your fence and how long it will take you to complete the job).

In general, you will need a day to clean and prepare the fence. Following this you need to wait until the fence is completely dry before you apply the stain. You will then need to apply the first coat of stain, allow to dry and cure, and then apply a second coat if necessary. For oil-based stains, the drying process can take up to 24-48 hours. Water-based stains are faster but still require several hours as best practice.

3. Choose The Right Time Of Day

Avoid staining in direct sunlight and excessive heat, it's best to start your project in the early morning or late afternoon. If possible, work on the shady side of the fence.

While you could technically stain a fence at any time, what we are trying to aim for is achieving the best results and the longest-lasting finish!

Ready to stain your fence? Have a browse through our popular timber stains and paints available from Mitre 10 stores nationwide, or learn more from our ‘How To Guides And Advice’ here.