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Types of Finishes
The three main stain finishes for fences and decks are transparent
(clear), semi-transparent, and solid. What finish you choose is
largely determined by your priorities. Clear finish stains allow
the natural beauty of the wood to show through and they have an
appearance that makes it difficult to detect whether the fence or deck
has been stained. Clear stains are not able to hold their
appearance over time as well as semi-transparent and solid stains.
Semi-transparent stains come in a very wide variety of shades and colors
yet allow the natural grain of the wood to show through. Their
ability to maintain their appearance over years of time is better than
transparent stains. Solid stains last the longest of all the
stains, but their appearance is poor at best. Solid stains do not
allow the natural grain of the wood to show through, so they have a very
artificial appearance. Houston Fence Staining prefers to use
semi-transparent stains because of their balance between longevity and
appearance. In addition, the semi-transparent stains that can be
used on fences and decks come in many different attractive shades.
Preparing the Wood for
Staining
Fences and decks, unless they are new, need to be prepared before
staining the wood. Commercially available cleaners are
biodegradable and do a good job of eliminating the mold and mildew.
After cleaning the wood, you can use a wood brightener if you are
considering using a transparent or very light semi-transparent stain.
Preparing the wood is very important, and unless it is done thoroughly
you will have an inconsistent appearance of your fence or deck.
Considerations of
Choosing a Staining Professional
Staining a fence or deck is a very labor intensive job and uses a
material that can be difficult to handle. Cleaning the surface of
the wood is hard work and must be done properly to insure the intended
look and result. Applying the stain must be done carefully to get
a good finish from the wood. You should always select a fence and
deck staining contractor that specializes or has a lot of experience
specifically in staining.
What Stain is Made Of
The majority of stains consist of boiled linseed oil with pigments
added. Solvents are added to the linseed oil to shorten the amount
of time it takes for the stain application to dry. The main
property of stain is its ability to seal and waterproof the wood.
Many different pigments can be added to the stain to give it an
appearance from a light cedar tone to a bright redwood tone. The
different variations are almost endless. Quality of a stain is
determined by the purity and refinement of the boiled linseed oil as
well as the solvents that are added. The selection of a quality
stain is absolutely key to having a beautiful fence or deck.
Commonly Asked Questions
Q: Why should I
stain my fence versus replacing it and installing a new fence?
A: This is a
very common question and really comes down to what is more
cost-effective. If a fence is not leaning and does not need
repair, staining is the most cost-effective option. Staining a
fence extends life beyond that of even a new fence because of the
waterproofing and sealing that it provides. In addition, the
beautiful appearance lasts longer than that of a new fence at almost a
third of the cost.
Q: Should I
stain my new or repaired fence?
A: Yes, this is
an ideal time to stain your fence since you can preserve the appearance
and protect your fence. New fences will start to turn grey after
only 12 months in the Houston area.
Q: How long
will it take to stain my fence?
A: Our
professional crews can complete the staining in less than one
day.
Q: I need some
repairs to my fence, can you do that as well?
A: Yes!
We can do minor or major repairs, as well as replace entire sections of
fence. We'll work with you to best meet your needs at the most
reasonable cost to you.
Q: How long
will the stained appearance last?
A: Our stain is
guaranteed for 5 years and the appearance often lasts well beyond that.
The waterproofing and sealant action keeps the fence's appearance for
years and prolongs the life of the fence for decades.
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