Ellis Exteriors

Some people like the look of a natural fence. Should you decide to not stain your cedar fence, the natural oils contained in the wood will be leeched out by the sunlight and seasonal weather conditions such as rain and snow etc., resulting in a natural and subtle change in color to a grayish-silver.

There are several things you can do to maintain an unstained fence. You can clean your fence with a cleaner containing a mildewcide. This will insure that your fence will remain bright and attractive. You can seal your fence with a water repellent that contains an ultraviolet stabilizer. This will not prevent discoloration but will slow down the process over time.

Should you choose to stain your fence, we suggest an oil-based stain. Stains penetrate the wood providing more protection than paint and let’s not forget that eventually paint peels. Solid stains do not let the grain show through. So, if you like the look of the wood grain, we suggest a semi-transparent stain. We recommend waiting at least two weeks before treating your fence. The longer the wood has to dry out, the better the sealant or stain will take to your cedar fence material. Stain should be applied once every five years.