You finally have a wood fence around your yard. Maybe it’s a few months old, and you want to protect it right away. Or maybe it’s been a few years, and you’re starting to notice the color fading, boards drying out, or even a few signs of wear and tear. Now you’re staring at that fence wondering: Should I stain it? Should I just let it be? Should I paint it instead?
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve been helping Omaha homeowners protect and transform their wood surfaces since 1996. We’ve stained more fences than we can count, but we also know the cost and maintenance of staining wood fences can be a lot to consider.
This article will help you make an informed decision about whether staining your wood fence is the right choice for your home. We’ll cover the pros and cons of staining, compare it to painting, and if you should leave the wood natural. By the end, you’ll feel confident about what your next step should be.
Fence Staining in Omaha, NE
The Pros of Staining Your Fence
- Protects the wood: A stained wood fence lasts longer because it’s shielded from the elements. A good-quality stain soaks into the wood and creates a barrier that helps protect it from:
- Moisture: Rain, snow, and humidity can cause wood to swell, warp, and rot over time. Stain helps repel water.
- Sunlight: UV rays break down wood fibers and cause that gray, weathered look. A stain with UV protection helps slow this process.
- Cracking and Splitting: When wood expands and contracts with weather changes, it can crack. Staining helps stabilize the wood a bit.
- Brings out the natural grain: If you love the look of wood, stain enhances it instead of covering it.
- Helps avoid early repairs: Staining can help prevent issues like rot and warping, which means fewer repairs.
- Adds curb appeal: A fresh, well-maintained fence makes your whole yard look better.
The Cons to Staining a Fence
- It’s not forever: Stain doesn’t last forever, especially in Nebraska’s weather. Most stains need to be reapplied every 3-5 years, depending on the product and exposure to sun and rain.
- Prep is key: You can’t just slap stain on. The fence needs to be cleaned, sanded, repaired when needed, and completely dry.
- Cost: Hiring a painter to stain your fence can cost $2,000-$5,000, depending on the size of your fence. This can be a repeated cost every time you need to re-stain your fence, potentially every 3-5 years.
Natural Wood Fences in Omaha, NE
Pros of Leaving Your Fence Natural Wood
Leaving your wood fence natural is an option that appeals to a lot of homeowners—especially those who enjoy a more rustic or weathered look. While it does come with trade-offs, there are some real upsides to skipping the stain.
- Zero maintenance upfront: When you leave your fence untreated, there’s no need to clean, sand, or reapply stain every few years. It’s the lowest-effort option right out of the gate.
- No added cost: Staining and professional labor can add up. If you’re trying to stretch your home improvement budget, keeping your fence natural avoids that extra expense.
- Aged wood look: Some people genuinely prefer the look of weathered wood. That silvery-gray patina can give your yard a laid-back, natural feel that blends in with the environment.
- Environmentally simple: If you're avoiding extra chemicals or coatings in your yard, leaving the fence alone can feel like a cleaner option.
This approach is more popular among homeowners who are okay with rethinking or replacing their fence down the road. If you're going for a more relaxed, organic look and are okay with a shorter lifespan or some repairs in the future, leaving your wood fence natural may suit your style just fine.
Cons of Leaving Your Fence Natural Wood
When you leave the natural wood exposed, it will eventually turn gray. This is called weathering, and while some people don’t mind the look, it does mean the wood is drying out and weakening. Over time, an untreated wood fence can:
- Become brittle – As the wood dries out, it loses its natural oils and flexibility, making it more prone to breaking.
- Absorbs moisture – Without a protective barrier, the wood soaks up rain, snow, and humidity like a sponge.
- Crack or split – Fluctuations in moisture and temperature cause the wood to expand and contract, leading to cracks and splits.
- Attract mold or mildew – Damp, unsealed wood creates the perfect environment for mold, mildew, and even algae to grow.
- Rot from the bottom up – The base of the fence is most exposed to moisture from the ground, which can lead to rot starting at the bottom and working its way up.
If you’re okay with a weathered appearance and potentially a shorter lifespan for your fence, leaving it natural may be a reasonable option. But keep in mind: untreated wood almost always ends up needing repair or replacement sooner.
Should You Paint Your Fence?
Painting your wood fence is another option. Paint sits on top of the wood, creating a barrier that blocks moisture and sun. But here’s the catch:
- Paint tends to peel or chip over time, especially in Omaha, where temperatures swing from freezing to hot and humid.
- Once you paint, it’s hard to go back to stain unless you strip everything off. Stripping paint can be expensive, time-consuming, and nearly impossible to get completely off without damaging the wood.
- It hides the natural wood grain.
So, while painting can be a good option for some people, it usually means more long-term maintenance. And if the paint starts to peel, you’ll need to scrape the peeling paint, sand, and repaint—something many homeowners want to avoid.
Wood Fence Staining FAQs
What Kind of Stain Should You Use on Your Wood Fence?
There are three main types of stain:
- Transparent (Clear or Toner):
- Lightest look
- Shows the natural grain
- Offers minimal UV protection
- Needs reapplication more often
- Semi-Transparent:
- Adds some color
- Still shows the wood grain
- Better UV protection than clear
- Very popular with homeowners
- Solid Stain:
- Looks almost like paint but doesn’t peel
- Hides most of the grain
- Best for old fences or fences with mismatched boards
- Lasts longer than clear or semi-transparent
In Omaha, most homeowners lean toward semi-transparent or solid stains, depending on how much of the wood grain they want to see.
How Long Does Stain Last on a Wood Fence?
- Transparent stain: about 1-2 years
- Semi-transparent stain: about 2-3 years
- Solid stain: about 3-5 years
This depends on the sun exposure, weather, and how well the fence was prepped and applied.
What Does Fence Staining Involve?
Here’s what’s usually involved in the staining process:
- Cleaning: Remove dirt, mildew, and old finish if needed.
- Drying: Let the wood dry completely—usually at least 48 hours after washing.
- Sanding: Helps smooth rough areas and opens the pores for staining.
- Staining: Apply the stain with a brush and sprayer.
- Drying again: Let the stain fully dry before touching or letting anything lean against the fence.
While some homeowners tackle this on their own, it can be time-consuming, especially if your fence is large or older. Hiring a professional can ensure better results and save you time.
Should You Stain Your Wood Fence?
If you've been asking yourself whether you should stain your wood fence—or just leave it alone—you now have a clearer picture of what each path looks like. Whether you choose to stain, paint, or let it weather naturally, the key is to know what to expect so you can plan ahead and take care of your investment.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve worked with homeowners across Omaha since 1996. We understand the unique challenges that fences face here, and we're always happy to offer guidance.
Click the button below to get a quote and start planning your fence staining project today.
If you are still preparing for a project later down the road, take this time to make sure you hire the right painter for the job. Click the button below to get your ultimate guide to hiring a painter in Omaha. This guide will go over how to search for painters, questions you should be asking them, and how to compare quotes.