Garden fence staining in Exeter
Professional garden fence staining services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-£210
Typical Duration
1.5-4 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Garden fence stained with quality wood stain. Enhances the natural timber grain while protecting against weather - that proper wood look without the hassle of paint that peels and flakes.
Let the Wood Speak For Itself
Got decent timber fencing that deserves better than solid paint? Staining lets the wood grain show through while still protecting it from Devon's weather. It's the smart choice for quality fences where you want that natural timber look.
💡 Pro tip: Staining new fence panels when they're first fitted gives maximum protection. The stain soaks in best when the wood is fresh, not after it's been grey and weathered for a year.
Why Stain Instead of Paint?
Stain and paint do different jobs. Here's when staining makes more sense:
| ✅ Why Choose Stain | ❌ Why Not |
|---|---|
| Beautiful natural wood grain shows | Can't hide badly weathered or damaged wood |
| Never peels or flakes off | Less colour choice than paint |
| Easy to recoat - just clean and apply | Won't cover up ugly old grey wood as well |
| Lasts well without maintenance | Slightly less weather protection than paint |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Clean | Fence brushed down, algae treated |
| Dry | Timber checked for moisture content |
| Stain | One or two coats depending on absorption |
📦 You're Left With
- Natural timber grain enhanced
- Fence protected from weather and rot
- No peeling paint to worry about
Pricing Guide
| Fence Length | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10m (3-4 panels) | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
| 10-20m (5-8 panels) | 2-3 hrs | £110-£160 |
| 20m+ (9+ panels) | 3-4 hrs | £160-£210 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Staining is usually faster than painting but depends on timber absorption.
Perfect For...
✅ New fence panels - protect them from day one
✅ Quality timber - show off the wood grain properly
✅ Natural garden aesthetic - suits cottage gardens and traditional settings
✅ Low maintenance - recoat in a few years, no peeling to deal with
Why Choose Us for Garden fence staining in Exeter?
Enhances natural wood grain beautifully
Soaks in for long-lasting protection
Won't peel or flake like paint does
Choice of natural wood tones
What to Expect
Step 1: Check & Clean
I'll check the timber is dry enough to stain (wet wood won't absorb it properly). Then clean the fence thoroughly and treat any algae.
Step 2: First Coat
Stain goes on with a brush, working it into the timber grain. New wood soaks it up quickly, weathered wood takes longer to absorb.
Step 3: Second Coat (If Needed)
Very absorbent timber might need a second coat for even coverage. I'll assess as the first coat goes on - you'll see where it's soaking in unevenly.
🔧 DIY Tips
Fence staining is easier than painting - less prep, faster application, hard to mess up. Here's how:
🔧 What you'll need
- Fence stain in your chosen colour
- Large fence brush or pad applicator
- Dust sheets for ground protection
- Scrubbing brush
- Fence cleaner
- Stirring stick
📐 Prep work
- Clean the fence - brush down dirt and debris
- Treat any green algae with cleaner, let dry
- Check fence is dry (postpone if it's been raining)
- Stir the stain thoroughly - pigment settles at bottom
- Choose a dry day, no rain forecast for 24 hours
🎨 Staining technique
- Apply liberally - stain needs to soak in, not just coat surface
- Work it into the grain with the brush
- Start at the top, work down to catch drips
- Don't worry too much about technique - stain is forgiving
- Do cut ends and tops of posts too - they're vulnerable
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Staining over wet wood - stain won't penetrate properly
- Not stirring the tin - colour is inconsistent
- Applying too thinly trying to make tin go further
- Forgetting the gravel board at the bottom
- Not checking the weather forecast (rain ruins fresh stain)
💡 Pro trick: For really even coverage, apply stain with a pad applicator rather than a brush. It holds more stain and distributes it more evenly across the grain. Much faster too.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Colour matching: Popular choices are Cuprinol Golden Brown, Ronseal Dark Oak, and Sadolin Ebony. Natural Cedar is lovely on new wood. Bring me a colour code or I'll show you options.
Both sides? Staining both sides of the fence gives better protection - the timber is sealed all round. If your neighbour is happy with it, I'll do both. Just one side is fine too.
Already grey and weathered? Stain will darken weathered grey wood and bring back some colour, but it won't make it look brand new. For really tired grey fences, paint gives better coverage. I'll be honest about what result to expect.
Pressure-treated fence? New pressure-treated panels need to weather for a few months before staining - the treatment chemicals stop stain penetrating. Wait about 6 months, then stain as normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between staining and painting a fence?
Stain soaks into the wood and lets you see the grain - it enhances the natural timber look. Paint sits on top and gives solid colour coverage. Stain won't peel or flake like paint can, but it offers slightly less weather protection. For natural-looking fences, stain is better. For full colour coverage, paint wins.
How long does fence stain last?
Quality fence stain properly applied lasts 3-5 years in Devon's weather. It fades gradually rather than peeling, so when it needs redoing, it's just a fresh coat over the top - no stripping or prep needed beyond cleaning.
Can you stain over paint or does the fence need to be bare wood?
Stain only works on bare wood - it needs to soak in. You can't stain over paint. If your fence is currently painted, you'd need to strip it or sand it back to bare wood first. For previously painted fences, repainting is usually easier than stripping for staining.
Does stain make the fence waterproof?
Water-resistant, not waterproof - there's a difference. Quality fence stain protects the timber from weather damage and rot, but water can still penetrate slightly. That's fine - timber needs to breathe. Full waterproofing would actually trap moisture and cause rot.
What colours does fence stain come in?
Natural wood tones mainly - cedar red, golden brown, dark oak, silver grey. You're enhancing the wood, not painting it, so the colours work with the timber grain rather than covering it. Most people choose something close to natural oak or a shade darker.
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