Paint or Stain for a Wood Fence ?

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Hello – looking to paint my wooden fence and was wondering the pros and cons of using paint versus a stain. Also, is using primer needed ? I intend to power wash the fence beofre hand, as there is a lot of chipping. I don’t think the fence has been touched in about ten years – it is white but I’m thinking of making it hunter green to match my home. Thank you in advance to everyone !

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  1. fresca10101 says:
    July 28, 2009 at 5:00 am

    I’ve heard it’s best to use a solid house stain. Paint needs maintenance more frequently. The fence should not need to be primed for house stain… However, if the fence is already painted and you don’t plan to strip it (you said it was white), you shouldn’t stain over paint. Then I’d use an exterior house paint, and you would have to prime. There are many color options for both…

    Finally I’ll say that we’ve recently done a lot of renovation, and the paint store employees are usually very knowledgeable (we went to Sherwin Williams)… You may want to pick their brains when you go to pick up paint/stain color samples.

  2. chuck z says:
    July 28, 2009 at 5:00 am

    your on the right track. definately power wash and dry….yes a good primer then paint. if no primer then your going to be touching up every year.

  3. kingbeee76 says:
    July 28, 2009 at 5:00 am

    to cover the old white completely, you should probably use paint. the stain soaks into the wood and dyes it the color you want. it will not stain any old paint left on the fence. you would have to completely remove all of the old paint b4 you stained it.
    and yes, use primer before painting, it gets the paint to adhere to the wood.

  4. split dog says:
    July 28, 2009 at 5:00 am

    Used opaque stain on my porch & shed.
    Had a nice look for a while, but the matte finish held dirt & looked grubby after a short time,
    Went w/ Bengamin Moore primer & Mooreglow paint on both after about a year
    The semi gloss finish has been holding up well & have lightly power washed which saves doing a paintjob.
    Would have restained more frequently than I have had to repaint in the years since I switched
    Best regards.

  5. dfgdfg says:
    July 28, 2009 at 5:00 am

    Just a quick note to the great answers above…if you decide to paint use a latex exterior paint not oil. Oil will chip and peel where as latex breaks down into a chaulk and makes repainting in the future much easier. Latex also allows the wood to breath thus preventing bubbling.

  6. petethen2 says:
    July 28, 2009 at 5:00 am

    I think you answered your own question if there is a lot of chips,i’m guessing you mean peeling paint. I prefer stain hands down for that very reason, peeling, chipping and the likes associated with painting and of course ease of application. Some prefer the smooth glossy look of paint but for a fence I think stain is fine.Of course always prepare the surface per recommendations of the product manufacturer.

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