How often should I stain and/or reseal my cedar fence?

One of the major strengths of cedar over other woods is that it will also be attractive for most of its effective life. Your cedar fence should last at least 15-30 years before needing to be replaced.

However, this kind of longevity is the result of proper maintenance. That means keeping up on staining and sealing your fence.

How do I know when its time to treat my fence?

The first thing to note is that you can’t stain your fence as long as it is properly sealed, because the stain won’t penetrate. The best time to stain, therefore, is when you’ve determined that your sealer is worn and needs to be re-applied.

Most sources will tell you to treat your fence at intervals of 2-5 years. However, it's best not to hang your hat on any specific number. After all, a range of three years is quite large. What this tells us it that are several variables that can affect how often you need to treat your fence, such as:

• Temp swings (expansion and contraction)
• Wind and rain
• UV exposure
• The quality of the stain you use
• The quality of the application
• The presence of termites

The two major signs of weathering to look for in your cedar fence are fading and graying. They indicate that the weather is starting to take its toll on the wood. Note, however, that just because your cedar fence is starting to fade after 1-2 years does not mean it needs to be re-stained. When it comes to stain, it’s really about personal taste. You restain when you’re no longer happy with the appearance of your fence. And shortly after is typically a good time to apply some sealer.

While you could, theoretically, treat your fence every 1-2 years to maximize its longevity, you have to weigh the cost and hassle of doing that against the upside. Your fence will last a long time, but it won’t last forever. At some point you have to acquiesce to nature and accept that you can only do so much for your cedar fence.

Cedar, post and board, and farm fence installations in the Monroe area

Homeowners in Snohomish County and the surrounding area can contact Trackwest for a quote on fence builds.