Interior Painting
Walls, ceilings, trim, doors and cabinets — with careful prep, clean lines and dust control.
Learn moreFence Staining & Sealing in East Tennessee
Gray, weathered fence back to warm color — and sealed so it stops drinking up moisture every time it rains.
Why stain a fence at all
An unsealed wood fence takes on water, dries out, and cycles through that over and over. The result is graying, cupping, splitting and eventually rot at the pickets and posts. Stain does two jobs at once: it puts the color back, and it slows down the water and UV damage that shortens a fence's life.
What the job involves
- Cleaning the fence to remove dirt, mildew, algae and gray weathered fibers
- Letting the wood dry properly — stain will not penetrate damp wood
- Light sanding or scraping on rough or previously coated sections
- Protecting siding, landscaping, patios and anything adjacent
- Applying stain evenly, working board by board so there are no lap marks
- Back-brushing so the stain is worked into the grain rather than sitting on top
- Sealing where the product calls for a separate sealer
Choosing a stain
Transparent and semi-transparent stains show off the wood grain and look the most natural, but they give the least UV protection and need refreshing more often. Semi-solid and solid stains hide more of the grain and last considerably longer, and solid stain is the practical choice for an older fence that already has color variation or previous coating on it.
How often to restain
In this climate, plan on roughly two to four years for semi-transparent stain and four to six years for solid stain, depending on sun exposure and how much weather that side of the fence takes. The good news is that maintenance coats are much less work than the first one, because the heavy cleaning and prep is already done.
We stain decks too
Same process, same materials, and often the same visit. If we are already on site for a deck repair or pressure washing, bundling the fence saves you a mobilization.
Also available
Other services
Exterior Painting
Siding, brick, stucco, trim and shutters, prepped and coated to handle East Tennessee weather.
Learn moreDeck & Dock Repairs
Board replacement, joist and framing repair, railing fixes, plus full deck and dock rebuilds.
Learn morePressure Washing
Decks, driveways, sidewalks, siding and fences washed clean — on its own or before painting.
Learn more
Questions
Fence Staining — common questions
Should my fence be pressure washed before staining?
It needs to be clean, and washing is usually the most effective way to get there. The important part is doing it at the right pressure so you are not chewing up the wood fibers, then letting it dry fully before stain goes on.
How long does the fence need to dry before staining?
Typically 24 to 72 hours after washing, depending on temperature, humidity and sun. Brand new pressure treated fencing needs far longer — often several weeks to a few months — before it will take stain.
Can you stain both sides of my fence?
Yes, if both sides are accessible. Staining both sides gives better protection and a more consistent look. If a neighbor's landscaping blocks access we will let you know before we quote it.
Will stain fix a fence that is already rotting?
No. Stain protects sound wood, it does not restore rotted wood. Damaged pickets, rails or posts should be replaced first, then the whole fence stained so it matches.
What is the difference between stain and paint on a fence?
Stain soaks into the wood and wears gradually, which makes recoating easy. Paint forms a film on the surface that eventually peels and has to be scraped. For fences and decks, stain is almost always the better long-term choice.
Ready for a free, no-pressure quote?
Call (865) 291-7089 or send a few details and we'll get back to you the same day, most days.