Sealing Products

• The wood on a fence may be sealed using either stain or paint. Stains can be either oil- or water-based. They might be clear, semi-transparent or a solid color. Exterior paints are either water- or oil-based and are available in a variety of finishes, including flat, semi-gloss or high gloss. Both stains and paints can be applied using a brush, roller or spray unit. Popular brands of exterior stains include Cabot and Thompson's Water Seal. Exterior paint manufactures include Benjamin Moore and Behr. Stains seal wood by penetrating the wood fibers and preventing moisture intrusion. Paints seals the surface of wood with a protective barrier. Many home improvement stores and specialty paint retailers sell both exterior paints and stains.
  
  

Sealing Before Building

• One method of sealing a wooden fence is to seal the components prior to assembling them. This method allows you to seal every surface in advance. After your posts are set, seal their entire surface. Following this, measure and pre-cut the rails. Then seal them prior to attaching them to the posts. If your fence will have pickets, planks or shadow planks you can perform the same procedure on them, as well. This technique is particularly useful if your planks will be butted tight to one another. After they are installed, it will be nearly impossible to seal their edges properly. This sealing regimen requires additional time, but it might make your fence last years longer.
  
  

After Completion

• If finishing the project quickly is your priority, you can seal nearly every surface after construction is completed. The main advantage to this method is it requires less time because the entire fence is sealed all at once. As previously mentioned, the disadvantage is that not every surface of every component will receive an application of sealant. In a temperate region with little mild seasonal variations, this method might be adequate. In an area with extreme snowfall or abrupt seasonal changes, your fence may require additional maintenance to replace prematurely decayed or rotted parts.
  
  Regardless of the sealant type or application method you select, you'll achieve the best results by following the manufacturer's guidelines.