Do you need two coats of stain on a fence?
Carefully Apply Fence Stain
For best results, do two coats both on the same day. If there's an area with blotches or where the stain puddles, quickly use the brush, pad, or roller to smooth it all out. However, if you're looking for the fastest way to stain a fence, a sprayer speeds the process up substantially.
For a small fence, up to 175 square feet, you will only need one gallon of stain, in any transparency. If your fence is larger, up to 550 square feet, you will need to buy 2 gallons of stain. For very large fences, up to 700 square feet, you will need 3 to 4 gallons of stain to complete the project.
We always recommend two coats of stain for any wood project, but you should only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb. Extremely dense hardwoods may only be able to absorb one coat of wood stain. The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much as the wood can absorb.
Depending on the type of stain you use, your wooden fence may need to be re-stained every two to four years. Compared to paintbrushes, rollers have the advantage of being faster and easier to use. For the right fence, using rollers makes a lot of sense.
In actuality, you should be staining both sides of your fence. Not only will it be more aesthetically pleasing to all parties involved, it will help your wooden fence last longer. As the days continue to get longer and the sun beats down a little harder, sun protection should be on your mind.
If you only stain “your side” of the fence, you're leaving the other side susceptible to damage. In fact, this may actually do more harm than good because you're preventing rain water from evaporating on both sides. If you stain the fence all the way around, you create an envelope that keeps rain out of the wood.
For example, if you have 1,000 square feet of fence and the stain says that 1 gallon covers 200 square feet, you would divide 1,000 by 200, which equals 5 gallons to cover the fence.
More often than not, it is not a good idea to power wash a fence before staining it. Power washers can force the mold and mildew (the greying color of the fence) deeper into the wood pickets. This causes the wood to deteriorate quicker. Power washing a stained fence can create divots on the surface of the wood.
Wait an hour before applying a second coat of standard wood stain. You may need to wait for longer for gel stains—about six to eight hours before adding a second coat. In any case, the product label should always indicate how long for stain to dry before the second coat.
Yes, each layer will darken your project even more.
Will 2 coats of stain make it darker?
Apply a second coat of stain after the first has dried fully. This will usually produce a slightly darker coloring with the excess wiped off. Substitute a glaze or gel stain for the liquid stain. Glazes and gel stains usually contain a higher ratio of pigment to vehicle.
Note: Sanding between coats is not necessary, but it will provide a better finish. After a coat has dried, use 220 or 240 grit sandpaper or extra fine steel wool to lightly sand surface. This will ensure good adhesion of the succeeding coat.
We researched the best fence stains available online, assessing them on ease of application, appearance, and durability. Our best overall pick is the Ready-Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer, which stands out for its low VC formula, easy application, high-quality appearance.
Your neighbour doesn't have to change a wall or fence just because you want them to, for example making it higher for privacy. You can't make changes to your side without their permission, such as painting it.
A good rule of thumb is to wait a month or two if the fence is made with dry materials. This will allow it to weather enough but not too much. If the fence is made with pressure treated materials it may be 3-4 months for the posts to dry enough and can be checked with a moisture meter.
A stain is the go-to method for most fence finishes. While the initial investment cost is higher for stains than it is for paint, stains last much longer and require very little maintenance down the road. Your costs will be lower in the long run, because you won't need to restain your fence nearly as often.
If the attachment is on his/her side of the fence, then yes your neighbor may attach something, as long as that something does not damage your side of the fence. Commonly, fences are built along property lines. On one side of the fence is your property, while the other side is on your neighbor's property.
Face the finished side of the fence toward your neighbor
The finished side should face toward your neighbor. Not only is this more polite, but it's the standard. Your property will look a lot nicer with the “good” side facing the outside world. Otherwise, your fence will look like it was installed backward.
Restain. It's easy to change the color of a stained fence using simply another coat of stain, as long as you go with a darker shade or a solid finish.
Fence staining cost can be as low as $1.25 or more than $3.00 per square foot based on site factors discussed below. The average cost to stain a fence that is 6' high with 200 linear feet, or 1,200 square feet is about $2,300.
How much should I charge for staining a fence?
A fence staining contractor may charge anywhere between $0.35 – $0.55 per square foot.
Paint is less expensive, but you'll need more of it and you'll also need primer. Stain is more expensive, but you won't need as much of it and it can last longer than paint. In the end, both products cost about the same when you consider how much you need and how long they last.
If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. If it rains immediately after you've stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off.
If using a roller, opt for a medium nap roller cover, then fully saturate the nap with the stain. Apply the stain in two- to three-foot sections of the fence at a time, taking care to back-brush, or re-paint over uncovered areas left by the previous stroke, with a wide brush.
Staining your fence during the right weather conditions is key. Before you apply any stain or sealer, your fence needs to be free from moisture for at least 24-48 hours after cleaning it.