How to Choose The Best Fence Stain Colour

- An Easy Guide To Understanding Different Types Of Fence Stain Colours Available in NZ

Want to upgrade your fence but don't know where to start on picking a colour? The key is to understand the science behind the different types of fence stains and pick the one that best suits your requirements.

What is a fence stain, and how is it different to fence paint?

Unlike paint that completely covers the timber surface, fence stains, when applied correctly, add your desired colour while letting the timber grain shine through, creating a subtle, sophisticated look. Fence stains are mainly categorised into two; water-based and oil-based, and they come in five types of colours.

This guide covers all the different types of fence stains, breaks down what each one offers, and helps you choose the right colour to make your fence look amazing.

Here's what you'll discover

Fence Stain Basics - 3 Very Important Fence Stain FAQs

• What makes a fence stain last?
• How can I clean the fence before staining?
• How long does the fence stain need to dry before rain?

The Different Types Of Stains and Stain Colours

• The 2 Types of Fence Stains: Oil-Based vs Water-Based Stains
• The 5 Types of Fence Stain Colours
• What is the best stain colour for my fence?

4 Tips For Choosing The Best Fence Stain Colour That You Won't Regret

The Best Fence Stain Colour Options

First off, let's look at some basic questions related to fence stains and colours.

Fence Stain Basics - 3 Very Important Fence Stain FAQs

What makes a fence stain last?

One of the most important questions to ask when choosing stain colours. A fence stain can last anywhere from 1 to 8 years, and its durability depends on how opaque/ transparent it is. This is because the more pigmentation you have, the longer the stain will last.

So, we can’t expect a clear sealer to last as long as, say, a Mahogany stain, which has a lot more pigmentation.

How can I clean the fence before staining?

The easiest and fastest way to prep your fence for staining is to use a power washer on a low setting. Power washing should remove any dirt, cobwebs, mould, or mildew.

Cabot's has a whole range of tools and products to make deck prepping much, much easier. Here are three of the best deck-cleaning tools available on the market.

1. Cabot's Deck Prep Brush

● Thick outer bristles for strength and scrubbing capability ● Soft inner bristles for liquid-holding capacity ● Squeegee for removing pools of water after cleaning for a faster dry time ● A Scraper for removing tough dirt and debris   Pair it with Cabot's Deck Pole to create the ultimate deck brush!

2. Cabot’s Deck Cleaner

An all-powerful cleaning solution that can be used on old and new timber to remove dirt, oil, grease and mould and prepare it for staining or coating.

3. Cabot’s Deck Hand Bucket

The Cabot's Deck Hand bucket is a multi-use bucket that ● Has 15L capacity ● Is easy to move around your deck ● Lasts longer than a paint tray ● You can use to wipe off extra decking oil using the drainage pan safely

Shop Cabot's Deck Clean, brush and bucket at your nearest Cabot's stockist right here.

How long does the wood fence stain need to dry before the rain?

This is one of the most important things to keep in mind before you start the process of fence cleaning and staining. Rain is not a friend of fence stains - it distorts the stain on your fence if it hasn't had enough time to dry.

So here are the drying times you should expect for different types of fence stains:

• Water-based stains - 4-6 hours of drying time
• Oil-based stains - 12-24 hours of drying time

So, before you pick up the power washer or book a staining session, check the weather forecast with Cabot’s Decking Forecast and make sure it won't rain on your fence-staining parade!

For a step-by-step guide on how to stain your deck, check out our easy guide on How to Stain Exterior Vertical Timber here.

The Different Types Of Fence Stains and Stain Colours

At Cabot's, we have hundreds of exterior stain colours available in our collection, which can be divided into two main categories:

• Oil-Based Colours
• Water-Based Colours

We've covered the differences between these two types extensively here in this post. But if you need a quick summary, here it is:

The 2 Types of Fence Stains: Oil-Based vs Water-Based Stains

Both oil-based and water-based stains have five types of colours. Let's look at those in detail.

The 5 Types of Fence Stain Colours

When choosing a stain for your wood fence, colour and transparency are key considerations.

• Clear colours
• Transparent colours
• Semi-transparent colours
• Semi-solid colours
• Solid colours

Clear and transparent colours - These lightly-tinted stains are barely visible and permit the natural grain and texture of the wood to be seen clearly.

Semi-transparent colours - These stains have a low pigment level, allowing the wood grain to show through. They provide a greater level of colour to the surface than clear toners typically provide.

Solid and Semi-Solid colours - Great for fences with more wear and tear, as much of the wood's grain,is hidden. Also provides more protection, so it's ideal for wood that's older and more vulnerable.

What is the best stain colour for my wood fence?

The level of visibility of the wood grain on your deck after staining it can be adjusted depending on the stain used.

• Go for a transparent, semi-transparent, or clear stain if you have a newer deck and want to show off the grain.

• If your deck has seen its fair share of use, go for a semi-solid stain, as it will hide the wear and tear while still allowing some of the grain to be visible.

• Solid stains are best if your deck has many imperfections or if you desire a specific colour.

4 Tips For Choosing The Best Fence Stain Colour That You Won't Regret

Once you've taken all the above factors into account, there's no actual hard and fast rule for selecting the colour shade for your fence. If you are staining a fence for the first time then here are some fence stain ideas to get you started:

1. Choose a fence stain colour that complements your home's exterior and landscaping - pick a colour that won't clash with the rest of your garden's features, such as the deck, shed, patio, etc…

2. Consider the type of fence you have - For a classic look, go for warm cedar or rich redwood, and if you want something more daring, go with black or dark brown. If modern style is what you're after - try grey!

3. Select a tone that won't show dirt and grime too readily, like white or light grey.

4. Take some fence stain colour inspiration from your neighbourhood - it's always best to blend in with your surroundings, so if you're not sure what colour to choose, take a walk around the neighbourhood and get an idea of the stain shades that are popular in the area.

Better yet, pop into your local Cabot’s stockist to pick up a few test pots and colour samples to get a more accurate idea of what works best for your fence.

The Best Fence Stain Colour Options

Cabots is New Zealand's one-stop shop for woodcare products, including exterior stains.

We've got hundreds of exterior stain colours to choose from! Here are some of our favourite fence stain colours,

More About Stain Colours

If you want to see more colours, or if you're ready to shop, head over to your nearest Cabot stockist by checking the In-store Locator here.

We hope this guide has helped you select the right fence stain colour for your home. For more fence stain colour inspiration, visit our Instagram page, that’s also got loads of quick and helpful tutorials and advice.

Happy Staining!