Natural, Paint, or Stain: What Finish Do I Want For My Fence?

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Placeholder Imagefence Natural, paint, or stain: which style is best for your fence?

So here you are with a brand new fence, and all that is left to be done is to decide how to finish it. When finishing a fence, there are three routes that can be taken: keep it natural, paint it, or stain it. All three options have their trade-offs, so we are going to help you figure out what finish is right for you!

Natural

Perhaps you like your fence just the way it is. There is nothing wrong with keeping it pure and simple. The leaving-it-natural approach also requires the least effort on your end with regards to maintaining it. The drawback is that when you leave your fence natural, you leave it vulnerable to the equally-natural environment around it, and this can result in your fence getting worn down over time.

If you are not concerned about your fence being worn down by the elements, the natural look could be the ideal solution for you. You might even prefer the rustic look on your fence, letting it age to perfection.

Even if you end up wanting to do away with the aged look of your fence, a simple power wash or pressure wash can breathe new life into it, making your fence like new again.

Painting

Painting your fence is another route you can take as a finish. Keep in mind that, contrary to the keep-it-natural option, painting a fence takes quite a bit of effort to maintain. This is because painting a fence demands that you apply the paint to your fence, and this paint won’t last forever. You should expect to repaint your fence every one to three years since the paint will begin to crack and peel.

Repainting the fence is no simple task either. When you repaint your fence, you will also need to scrape the existing paint off it, then prep the surface for a new layer of paint before finally applying it. It can become a tedious task, not to mention costly.

On the upside, paint won’t wear down as easily against the elements of nature, and you can choose from a wide range of colors. But if you’re looking for the classic look of a white picket fence, there are other avenues available, such as going with a white vinyl picket fence. Vinyl doesn’t require painting or staining to keep its look, just an occasional cleaning. Another option is to go with a white stain, which we will be looking into now.

Staining

Stain is usually more popular than paint when considering how to finish a fence. While it does cost more initially, you won’t be required to re-stain your fence nearly as often as you would with paint. Stains also don’t peel or crack, so when you need to re-stain, it won’t be as much of a hassle as it would be when repainting. Instead of having to scrape and peel excess paint from your fence, a restaining only asks that you power wash it or use a deck cleaner before staining again.

When staining your fence, there are a large range of options from which to choose. You can go with a solid stain that can help keep a classic “white picket” look.There are also plenty of semi-transparent stains available if you love your fence already, and only seek to preserve it. There are even clear stains that are only used to help waterproof your fence.

Which Style is Right for You?

All three options have their benefits, so there is no wrong choice. Just remember to consider the time and costs needed for whatever finish you choose, and think about what could make your fence the perfect one for your home. Contact us today if you’re interested and remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what we’re up to.

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Customer Testimonials

We could talk all day about the happy homeowners we’ve provided additions and renovations for, but the real measure of merit lies in customer reviews. See what people are saying about Albaugh & Sons.

4.8
Based on 229 reviews
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Bonnie
21:41 27 Nov 24
I just want to say this company is the Best.. did my fence and my screened in porch. The guys are professional and just a delight to deal with.. customer service is important.. their prices are reasonable.. I would never use anyone but them.. they do it All too..
Alexander S.
16:32 22 Nov 24
We could not be more pleased with the entire process and outcome of our experience with Albaugh & Sons. From the timely turnaround on coming out to give us an estimate, to the flexibility on adjusting our proposal, and to the quick and professional installation itself. I would highly recommend Albaugh & Sons to anyone in their area of serviceability.
Abby G.
14:50 04 Nov 24
So great to work with. Have had the pleasure of working with both sons who were knowledgeable and courteous. The entire process was easy from estimate to completion of my new deck. Both arrived on time, had my estimate for both deck and basement remodel in a couple of days. Danny, the project manager arrived on time and explained the plans, the work crew were amazing. Old deck demolished and beautiful new composite in its place in less than 2 days. Tiffany, the office manager is prompt in responding to all emails with courteous knowledgeable answers. They make you feel like you are their only customer. Look forward to working with them for my basement remodel. I 100% recommend this company.
James L.
13:49 10 Oct 24
We love our new fence. Thanks Emily and George for everything. Excellent communication, timeliness and excellent workmanship. We highly recommend Albaugh and Sons.
John K.
13:19 31 Aug 24
I had a beautiful deck built almost 2 years ago. I called yesterday about a few items that have come apart such as the pvc outside corners on the rim/ band board etc. The company was very responsive and ready and eager to help. Because of this, they have made a customer for life! Not only will you get an amazing product, but it appears you get a lifetime of amazing customer service!! 100 out of 5 stars!
Van Lavoy J.
17:06 01 Apr 24
We needed a fence as fast as possible for 5 rescue dogs that we took on. Albaugh and Sons was able to provide a great quote and a speedy installation. My wife and I love the new fence. It has literally improved our day to day lives by being able to let the dogs run free in the back. The materials were perfect and high quality. I would definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Bill D.
20:50 24 Mar 24
I hired Albaugh and Sons to tear out our old deck and replace it with a new composite deck/ screened porch. The front office was a pleasure to deal with and kept my wife and I informed on everything. The crew did an amazing job every step of the way. I was especially impressed with their finish work. The attention to detail was impressive! What I also liked Albaugh and Sons is they had a project manager (Danny) who would occasionally pop over and answer questions and would also keep me updated on progress. I would highly recommend hiring Albaugh and Sons for any of your fence/ deck / home improvement needs.
Joseph D.
15:39 04 Oct 23
We are very pleased with the work done by Albaugh and sons. We had them replace our side porch and they did excellent work and built it to our request. Also had them install a three tier rail fence around our property. It is excellent and looks great. We thank Danny and his deck crew and George and his fence crew for their excellent work. I recommend them for any projects you need done. Thank you very much!!
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