Brentwood TN Wood Protection & Restoration Company

Your fence, deck, pergola, cedar shakes, and other wooden structures on your property need to be protected in order to last as long as possible. The parts of your property that provide outdoor living space, privacy, and aesthetic appeal are worth protecting. Staining and sealing your fence, deck, cedar-sided home, pergola, or wooden outdoor structure can be extremely beneficial for their lifespan, as well as improving the way they look right now.

There is usually a recommended time to wait before staining a new fence or deck. Although there are different recommendations for when a fence or deck should be stained, a general guideline does exist. If the wood has a moisture level below 13%, the fence or deck is ready to be stained. If rain is in the forecast, the plan to stain will be affected. It is best to schedule staining when there are a few days without precipitation. The professionals at Stain & Seal Experts can help you get the timing right for your specific project.

The oil-based penetrating stains created and used by Stain & Seal Experts do not have temperature or sunlight restrictions. However, the wood must be dry, with a moisture level under 13%. Generally, it is acceptable to stain a fence or deck any time of the year in most parts of the country.

We always recommend that you choose the stain that gives your fence or deck the look you are hoping to achieve. If you have an idea in mind, you can share your goals with us and we can help you choose the best option.

If you have existing wooden structures on your property, choosing a stain that complements those existing colors might be a good idea. It's possible that you might need to take HOA regulations into account since some require particular colors of stain or need advanced approval for stains.

Darker colors generally require less maintenance than lighter or natural shades. Dark stains and black stains have become popular for creating a bold look and often produce a great contrast against homes or other structures, with the added benefit of requiring less maintenance. It's important to remember that varying light can affect the appearance of colors. Similarly to how a paint color inside a house can look different at various times during the day, your fence or deck stain can appear slightly different in various lighting situations as well.

The investment you made to build your fence or deck will be protected when you stain and seal it, so it's helpful to consider the cost of staining and sealing to be part of that investment. The cost of staining does vary slightly, but we can provide a general guide to pricing.

To have a fence stained, the price typically ranges from $0.70 - $1.25 per square foot for most projects. Since decks tend to have more details than fences, they are priced in a different way. Floors range from $3.00 - $5.00 per square foot, steps range from $25.00 - $40.00 each, deck railings range from $10.00 - $20.00 per linear foot. Posts, beams, and undersides of the deck are an additional cost that can be determined for you.

Included in the service from Stain & Seal Experts is a 3-year warranty on the stain and a 1-year warranty on the workmanship. Additional services, such as trimming the grass around the fence or deck, moving furniture, or removing lighting or decor from fences or decks are available for an extra charge. Some other factors that can affect cost include obstacles, pools, large landscaping, and ease of access. Contact us to receive an accurate estimate for your project.

First, take steps to make sure your contractor is able to access the wooden structure with ease. Consider trimming back large landscaping from fence or deck lines will allow your contractor to access all parts of your fence or deck. Prepare to remove all furniture from decks, along with ornamental items or decor, such as hanging or potted plants, patio lighting (if it is against the fence or in the way of a deck structure), and outdoor rugs. Mowing the grass and weeding around the base of all structures is helpful. Also, your contractor would appreciate that you turn off any scheduled sprinkler use. Taking these preparation steps into consideration can save time and extra cost.

We recommend cleaning stained decks and fences several times a year. You can use a leaf blower or broom to remove dirt and debris that can affect the wood if it were to stay there for too long. Once a year, a soft wash with gentle cleaning chemicals is recommended to freshen up your wooden structures, which will also kill any organic growth that your fence or deck might accumulate.

Applying a maintenance coat of stain to your fence every three years will keep it looking perfect. For decking, the same maintenance routine can be done every two years on horizontal surfaces and high-traffic areas and every four years on the vertical surfaces such as railings or spindles. Maintenance could be needed sooner for lightly pigmented colors or natural tones, as opposed to heavily pigmented and darker stains which tend to last longer between applications.

Staining your older fence or deck is a great option to explore! Older structures are usually able to be cleaned and restored. If your fence or deck is not very old, a basic wash usually does a great job of preparing for staining and sealing. If your fence or deck is a bit older, a full restoration might be necessary before staining. Full fence restoration includes a cleaning and a wood brightener application. For decks, the wood typically needs to be sanded after the cleaning process has been completed and before the staining begins. Staining, sealing, or restoring an older fence or deck is a great eco-friendly, cost-effective solution to improving the look of your wooden fence or deck.