Semi-Transparent or Solid Color for Your Fence?

Stains

For once, stain on your fence is a good thing. Bare wood left unfinished will turn gray as the surface decomposes. If your fence wood has been exposed to the elements for longer than a few weeks, it is important to clean it off before staining. The surface must be both clean and dry for effective fence staining near Smyrna. Pressure washing is the recommended procedure for cleaning a fence.

 Solid and Semi Solid

A solid color stain at first glance appears to be much like an exterior paint. Although they have a few things in common, a stain is made up of entirely different ingredients. Stains are made specifically to be used on wood. The result should boast uniform color and sheen and look very much like a painted fence. Solid color stains are effective in either water based, or solvent based versions. Solid stains will eventually fade, and in some cases peel, because it forms a film on the surface of the wood. Spray, brush, and roll techniques are all effective means of application.

 Semi Solid

Semi Solid stains are thinner versions of solid color stains. They are also available in water or solvent based versions. They will still carry a strong color profile, but the grain of the wood will be apparent. Semi solid stains cannot be used effectively over a solid color stain or paint. A semi solid stain will cover almost twice as far per square footage than a sloid color stain by spray, brush, or roll.

 Semi Transparent

Semi Transparent stains are likely the most common stain used on fencing, decks and wood siding. They are designed to protect the wood against moisture and UV light from the sun. They do not form a film on the surface, so they will not peel. If allowed to puddle, a semi-transparent stain will not dry properly, and that area will remain sticky. Semi-transparent stains are designed to accentuate the beauty of wood, while still offering protection from the elements.

 Which Stain is Best?

What do you like best? Choosing which stain to use is a matter of personal preference. If the proper means of application are followed, all the above will perform adequately. When fence staining near Smyrna, if a fence that has been previously stained with a solid color, the next coat will only adhere as well as the stain that is still on the fence.