Mt. Juliet Tennessee Stain Company

Protecting the fence, deck, pergola, cedar shakes, and other wooden structures on your property is a smart idea. The outdoor living space, privacy, and aesthetic appeal that these parts of your property provide to you are worth protecting. Staining and sealing your fence, deck, cedar-sided home, pergola, or wooden outdoor structure delivers a number of benefits to the homeowner. For example, preservation of the wood, protection from the elements and wear, and restoring existing structures to their original beauty are just a few of the reasons that staining and sealing is a great choice.

If your fence or deck is new, there is usually a recommended time to wait before staining it. Although there are different recommendations for when a fence or deck should be stained, a general rule of thumb can guide you. If the wood has a moisture level below 13%, the fence or deck is ready to be stained. In the event of rain, the plan to stain will be affected. It is best to schedule staining when there are a few clear weather days in a row. The professionals at Stain & Seal Experts can help you get the timing right for your specific project.

Stain & Seal Experts's own oil-based penetrating stains do not have temperature or sunlight restrictions. However, the wood must be dry, with a moisture level under 13%. It is generally safe to stain year-round in most parts of the country.

The choice is up to you, based on your own personal style! If you have existing wooden structures on your property, choosing a stain that complements those existing colors might be a good idea.

Another consideration you might need to take into account is any HOA regulations since some require particular colors of stain or need advanced approval for stains.

Additionally, keep in mind that colors appear slightly different in different lights. Just like 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.

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.

The investment you made to build your fence or deck will be protected when you stain and seal it, which makes it a smart decision. The cost of staining does vary slightly, but we can provide this general guide to pricing:

To have a fence stained, the price generally ranges from $0.70 - $1.25 per square foot on most projects. Since decks tend to have more details than fences, they are priced a bit differently. The 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 option available for an additional cost.

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.

Ensuring your contractor is able to access the wooden structure with ease is one general recommendation. Trimming back large landscaping from fence or deck lines will allow your contractor to access all parts of your fence or deck. Plan 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 around the base of all structures is helpful, along with weeding along fence lines. Also, your contractor would appreciate that you turn off any scheduled sprinkler use.

We recommend cleaning stained decks and fences with a broom or leaf blower several times a year. Once a year, a soft wash with gentle cleaning chemicals is recommended to "sanitize" your wooden structures. This will also kill any organic growth that your fence or deck might accumulate.

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

You can still stain and seal your older fence or deck! Older structures are able to be cleaned and restored. If your fence or deck is not very old, a basic wash is usually all that is needed prior to 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 usually needs to be sanded smooth after the cleaning process has been completed and before the staining begins. Staining, sealing, or restoring an older fence or deck can be a great option in many cases.