what product is best to use to seal and protect a cedar fence

The viii Best Argue Stains to Preserve All Types of Wood

We recommend the Ready-Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer

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Updated on 03/04/22

We independently research, exam, review, and recommend the best products—learn more nearly our process. If you lot buy something through our links, nosotros may earn a commission.

The Bandbox / Chloe Jeong

Outside forest stain highlights the natural beauty of your fence while sealing it to protect confronting sunlight and moisture.

We researched the best debate stains available online, assessing them on ease of application, appearance, and immovability. 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, loftier-quality appearance.

Here are the best argue stains.

Size (gallons): 5

Colour: Natural cedar

Base Material: Oil-based

Transparency: Semi-transparent

What nosotros like

• Stain settles without runs or blotches

• Lasts for 3 to 5 years

• Depression VOC formula

What we don't similar

• Expensive

• Requires mineral spirits for clean-up

Protect your fence from natural elements like rain and UV rays with this semi-transparent stain from Set up-Seal. This oil-based formula can exist applied to all difficult and softwoods. The natural cedar color enhances the appearance of your fence without masking the natural beauty of the wood grain.

Ready-Seal Outside Forest Stain and Sealer has a reputation for being easy to apply and doesn't require back brushing, similar some other fence stain formulas. You tin can apply a variety of application methods, including a sprayer, roller, or brush to apply the stain. Keep in mind that you'll need to apply mineral spirits to make clean up subsequently using this oil-based formula.

While some fence stains can only be applied in certain temperature ranges, Prepare-Seal can be applied in near all temperatures—from 0 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the manufacturer. (Yet, our experts recommend applying any stain only at temperatures in a higher place 40 degrees.) Use this semi-transparent contend stain on unfinished woods, pressure-treated lumber, or old wood, merely make certain that the wood has a moisture content of less than 12 per centum. Two coats are required for penetrating protection, and each v-gallon bucket covers up to 625 square feet.

Size (gallons): 5

Color: Cedar

Base Fabric: Oil-based

Transparency: Transparent

What we like

• Unmarried coat application

• Low VOC formula

What we don't like

• Must apply between 45 and 85F

Cedar is a popular wood for fencing, since it proves to be both attractive and durable. All the same, unprotected exposure to the sun, rain, snow, and humidity tin can cause the boards to lose their luster. While some people like the look of weathered cedar, plenty of other homeowners would prefer to protect cedar boards and keep a compatible look.

Preserva Wood Cedar Outside Stain and Sealer is a great option for a cedar fence stain. The oil-based stain penetrates below the surface of the boards to protect them from UV rays and moisture. This transparent stain won't encompass over the natural dazzler of cedar fences, but keep in listen that it is lightly pigmented to provide UV protection. Ane affair to know nearly this fence stain is that it must be applied in temperatures between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a more express range than another argue stain formulas.

Size (gallons): ane

Color: Natural Cedartone

Base Cloth: Water-based

Transparency: Semi-transparent

What we like

• Unmarried application glaze

• Cleans up with just soap and h2o

• vi-year guarantee for fences

What we don't like

• Longer drying fourth dimension of 4 hours

Stain enhances or changes the appearance of your wood fence, while sealer protects the forest from moisture impairment and UV rays. In some cases, this requires applying two separate products to properly stain and seal your argue, simply if y'all cull a stain with sealer, y'all can provide paint and protection with a unmarried product.

Valspar Semi-Transparent Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer is a debate stain with sealer that provides colour tone and long-lasting protection. This two-in-i formula saves even more fourth dimension by only requiring a single application coat. As a h2o-based stain, you will simply need soap and water to make clean up brushes, spray equipment, and other tools. All things beingness considered, this fence stain with sealer is a quick and piece of cake way to enhance your fence without the labor of applying multiple coats or products. The manufacturer backs this formula with a six-year guarantee for fences when applied according to the product instructions.

Size (gallons): one

Color: Moonlit Mahogany

Base Fabric: Oil-based

Transparency: Transparent

What we like

• Rich color and satin end

• Protects against UV damage, water, mold, and mildew

What we don't like

• Must wait 24 hours to use 2nd coat

• Expensive

Cabot Golden Transparent Exterior Stain is a contend stain that provides rich colour and long-lasting protection. The formula is semi-transparent, which is suitable for new or lightly aged forest in good condition. Available in a variety of shades, this highly pigmented stain features dual UV protection. It's an oil-based formula, so proceed in listen that y'all'll need to use mineral spirits to make clean up later on application.

The first glaze of this fence stain with sealer will give the wood a tinted advent. Equally a semi-transparent wood stain, you lot'll even so be able to see and appreciate the grain of the woods while likewise giving your fence a new look with colors like Moonlight Mahogany, Sundrenched Oak, and Fireside Cherry. The 2d coat of stain seals the contend, providing protection against the elements. Keep in mind that this formula requires you to wait overnight and up to 24 hours before applying the second coat of stain required for maximum protection.

Size (gallons): five

Color: Clear

Base of operations Textile: Water-based

Transparency: Articulate

What we like

• Cleans up using lather and water

• Dry out to the impact in xxx minutes

What we don't like

• Not as long-lasting every bit some other stains

New forest has a naturally highly-seasoned wait and a smooth finish, so at that place's no need to cover it with a heavy solid stain. Instead, highlight the woods's appearance while protecting it from the elements with a articulate stain, similar this pop version from Overflowing. Information technology contains an acrylic-oil resin that provides the best of both worlds—the immovability of acrylic and the penetrating properties of alkyd formulas.

Alluvion CWF-UV Exterior Wood Finishes are available with various tints, but the clear version is a great friction match for cedar, fir, or new pressure level-treated pine. It's a h2o-based stain, and so it only requires soap and water for clean-up. It can be applied between 35 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, using a brush, roller, or sprayer.

Size (gallons): 5

Colour: White

Base Material: H2o-based

Transparency: Solid

What we like

• Single-glaze application

• Cleans upwardly using lather and water

• 25-year protection for fences

What nosotros don't like

• Not low VOC

• Needs four hours of drying time

Erstwhile, splintered, and weathered wood can get a fresh new wait with the help of a solid argue stain. While transparent and semi-transparent stains let the finish and grain of the wood to smooth, a solid stain helps to hide imperfections and signs of aging in the one-time woods. This pre-tinted white formula provides a fresh, clean finish merely the solid stain is available in tinted formulas or other color options, too.

Valspar'southward All-Weather Solid Outside Woods Stain and Sealer requires just ane glaze of application for an opaque finish that resists UV damage, h2o penetration, and mold and mildew growth for up to 25 years. Temperatures must exist between 35 and ninety degrees Fahrenheit. You lot can use a paint sprayer or castor to employ the water-based formula, and simply need soap and h2o for cleaning up brushes and tools after application.

Size (gallons): 1

Color: Clear

Base of operations Material: Water-based

Transparency: Clear

What we like

• Upward to 10 years of protection for fences

• Low VOC formula

What we don't like

• Expensive

• Thin formula can be difficult to apply evenly

If you're concerned about particularly damp conditions, then information technology makes sense to expect for a contend stain that offers additional protection against wet impairment. Seal One time Marine Premium Wood Sealer uses nanoparticle applied science to penetrate the wood and protect information technology from within, rather than forming a top-layer bulwark that may eventually crack and split from moisture evaporation. This argue stain is specifically designed for use in high-moisture environments near fresh water or saltwater—such every bit streams, rivers, oceans, etc.

Seal Once protects vertical surfaces similar fencing for up to ten years, simply you'll want to check the moisture barrier every year to determine when re-application is necessary. The water-based formula requires two coats for effective sealing; apply the second coat within an hour after the first glaze.

What nosotros like

• Single-coat application

• Affordable

What we don't like

• Requires mineral spirits for clean-up

• Long drying times

• Limited protection against mildew, algae

Thompson'due south WaterSeal Signature Series is an affordable pick for articulate debate stain. This oil-based stain only requires 1 glaze and each gallon covers 200 to 400 square feet of fencing. It penetrates to protect woods confronting UV rays, h2o, and mildew, but it'due south not proven as effective against mold and algae. However, it'south helpful to know that this budget contend stain does exceed ASTM D-4446 standards for wood waterproofing products.

To use this debate stain, temperatures must exist between fifty and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, with no rain for at least 24 hours. Brush or roller application is recommended for applying Thompson's WaterSeal, as many people discover the stain to be besides thick for sprayer application and the manufacturer warns against thinning the formula. While some fence stains offering multi-year protection, you'll need to perform a h2o absorbency test each year to determine if re-application of stain is needed. If water yet beads upward on the wood's surface, the formula is all the same providing protection.

Concluding Verdict

For fence stain that is piece of cake to apply and long-lasting, cull Gear up-Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer (view on Amazon). The oil-based formula has a transparent finish and can be used on difficult and softwoods. It offers excellent protection against UV rays and atmospheric precipitation. If yous're looking to give new life to old fence boards, all the same, then choose a solid stain like Valspar'southward All-weather Solid Outside Woods Stain and Sealer (view on Lowe'southward). This opaque stain will cover up imperfections while protecting the wood confronting further damage.

Blazon of Woods

Hardwood and softwood varieties react differently to stain, and so you'll need to take this into account when shopping for fence stain. Softwood, such every bit cedar or pine, volition be easier for stain to penetrate but may require a pre-stain conditioner to avoid blotchy results. Considering of the more absorbent nature of the wood, you may cull to utilise a h2o-based fence stain on this type of forest. Hardwoods are less commonly used for fencing, but if you exercise have a hardwood contend—such as batu or ipe—an oil-based stain may provide amend penetration.

Base

Fence stains are either h2o-based or oil-based. A water-based stain uses an acrylic formula and painting supplies tin be cleaned up with soap and water. On the other hand, an oil-based stain contains alkyds that provide first-class penetration but crave mineral spirits for make clean-up. It's worth mentioning that some oil-based stains on the market now utilise an acrylic-oil blend that makes for easier cleaning but provides the same benefits of an oil-based stain.

Opacity

There are three opacity levels of contend stain: transparent, semi-transparent, and solid. Transparent argue stain is best for new wood, since the grain and status of the wood will be hands seen. It'due south also commonly used on cedar fences to highlight the natural colour and beauty of this forest. Semi-transparent stains are a better option for wood that is lightly aged or weathered, since they'll conceal some aspects of weathering. Solid stain is best used on forest that is rough, splintered, and aged. This is the most opaque type of fence stain and volition provide more coverage to give anile fence boards a compatible appearance.

FAQ

• How do you lot prep a contend for staining?

  Typically, you should first make clean and brighten the boards. Doing and then removes dirt and debris that might impede the stain'south ability to properly soak into the fence boards. Yous can pressure wash the argue to clean it, working from meridian to bottom. Or, you can use a fence cleaning formula and a stiff brush to manually loosen dust and grime, and then rinse well with a hose. Permit the contend to dry out for at to the lowest degree 48 hours before moving on to the staining process.

  If the fence is new, ensure that it has had plenty of drying time and is ready for stain application. This can take as little as a calendar month or might be as long every bit half dozen months or more, depending on the environment. If you take softwood, you lot might consider doing a spot test to decide how porous the wood is and whether or non you should use a pre-conditioner to ensure even absorption.

• How do you use fence stain?

  To properly apply fence stain and relish long-lasting results, you can't take shortcuts. You should e'er follow the manufacturer'due south instructions for application. The most mutual method is to use a brush. Still, this tin exist tedious. Many people prefer to utilise a paint sprayer for fence stain, and this is possible with most stain formulas. However, you should check the manufacturer's instructions first to verify that the stain is fluid plenty for sprayer awarding.

• How long practise virtually fence stains last?

  Almost fence stains provide a limited warranty when used on vertical surfaces—like fencing. These warranties are unremarkably for 4 to six years, with some formulas extending the warranty to 10 years or more. This will give y'all an idea of how long your fence stain may concluding.

  How oftentimes yous'll need to reapply fence stain largely depends on how much weather exposure the fence receives. Fences that are exposed to heavy precipitation and damp environments or those that receive straight, intense sunday are probable to need staining more than often.

  You might choose to reapply argue stain every few years to maintain the colour and appearance of the boards. If you're concerned with how well the fence stain is protecting the forest, a simple examination can tell you if you lot need to reapply stain (or a sealer-only formula). To check the moisture barrier, sprinkle water on the boards. If the h2o beads upwards, your fence boards are even so benefitting from your last application. If non, information technology's time to reapply.

This article was researched and written by Erica Puisis, a freelance writer who has been contributing to The Bandbox since 2017. To make this list, she considered each choice'south toll, pattern, and the surface it'll be used on, also equally insight from production testers.

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Source: https://www.thespruce.com/best-fence-stains-4772179

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