Gone gray
Sunlight turns bare wood gray. Gray boards mean the stain has worn off.
Fence staining in Memphis.
Dario’s Painting stains wood fences across Memphis and Shelby County. The fence is washed and left to dry, any soft boards are pointed out, and the stain goes on, on a dry day. Dario writes every estimate, free and in writing, and the quote spells out which sides are included.
- Free written estimates
- Dario on the job from estimate to walkthrough
- Crews speak English & Spanish
In short
Dario’s Painting stains wood fences across Memphis and Shelby County. The fence is washed, given time to dry and checked for soft boards, then stained on a dry day, and the written estimate spells out which sides are included. It usually needs stain when the wood has gone gray, water soaks in instead of beading up, or the boards are splitting. National cost guides put fence staining or painting at $750–$4,250; your price comes from the free written estimate. Estimate visits are on weekdays from 11:30 to 1:30 and on Saturdays from 7am to 6pm.
How to tell your fence needs stain.
Check the sunny side first, then the shady one.
Water soaks in
Splash water on a few boards. If it soaks in instead of beading up, the finish is gone.
Splitting boards
Boards that dry out crack, raise splinters and curl at the ends.
Green on the shady side
Shade and Memphis humidity grow mildew and algae. It is washed off first; stain put over it traps it.
Peeling or patchy
Solid stain and paint can flake. Tell Dario what is on the fence now.
Brand new
New pressure-treated wood is often still wet and usually has to dry out before it takes stain.
How it goes
From the fence line to the last coat.
The visit
Dario walks the fence line with you, checks for gray wood, mildew, splits and soft boards, and talks through stain or paint.
The estimate
A written quote with what is included, which sides, the prep, the product and the days. Free, and yours to keep.
Wash and dry
The fence is washed, then given at least 24 to 48 hours of dry weather, longer when it is damp.
Soft boards
Dario points out any rotted or loose boards at the visit, so they can be fixed before staining; stain does not fix rot. Anything extra that turns up is quoted separately, and nothing is done without your approval.
Stain
The stain goes on, on a dry day. Rain moves outdoor dates, and you hear it from us first.
The walkthrough
You walk the fence with Dario and point at anything that is not right. It is fixed before the job is called done.
Point out shrubs and narrow side yards at the visit, since they take more work to get around. If the other side of the fence faces a neighbor’s yard, check with them before you add it.
Wood fence staining: semi-transparent or solid?
Stain soaks into the wood and paint sits on top of it. For a fence, the choice is mostly how much of the grain you want to see.
| Finish | What you see | How it wears | Restain about every |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transparent | Clear or lightly tinted; the grain shows. | Gives the least sun protection. | 1 to 2 years |
| Semi-transparent | Adds color while the grain still shows. | Soaks in, so it wears away rather than peels. | 2 to 3 years |
| Solid | Opaque like paint; hides the grain and flaws. | Gives the most sun and weather protection, but can peel if moisture gets behind it. | 3 to 5 years |
Intervals are from This Old House and Sherwin-Williams; the how to stain a fence or deck guide has the sources. Sun, shade and how the fence was built move them, so read them as ranges, not promises.
A solid stain suits older, patchy wood, the kind you see when refinishing a fence. For painted fences, see shed and fence painting.
Staining a fence around Memphis weather.
Dry days only
Stain needs dry wood and a dry stretch; Sherwin-Williams says to confirm no rain for 24 to 48 hours. Memphis storms roll in fast, so dates move with the forecast, and you hear it from us first.
Not right after rain or a wash
Give wet wood at least 24 to 48 hours, longer when it is damp. Then sprinkle water on it: if it soaks in, it is ready; if it beads up, wait.
Mind the summer heat
Stain goes on best between about 40°F and 90°F, out of direct midday sun. A fence baked all afternoon dries stain too fast and leaves it blotchy.
Shade and new fences
A fence under trees stays damp longer. New pressure-treated wood is often still wet from the treatment; Dario can check it at the visit.
If your neighborhood has an association, ask about fence color rules before you pick a stain. We stain fences across Shelby County; see what to know in Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Cordova, Arlington and Lakeland, or all the areas we paint. Month by month: when to paint outside in Memphis.
Price
What fence staining costs in Memphis.
National cost guides put staining or painting a fence at about $750–$4,250. Dario writes your price after he has seen the fence.
| Job | National range | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Fence staining or painting | $750–$4,250 | HomeAdvisor, Fixr |
| Fence, per linear foot | $2.25–$14 | HomeAdvisor ($3–$14, $1,700 on average), Fixr ($2.25–$10 for one side) |
National averages from published cost guides, not Memphis quotes and not Dario’s prices; every range and its source is in the house painting cost guide. Washing the fence first is about $1 to $2 per foot, per side, in Dario’s rough ranges (see pressure washing). Want a number first? Try the ballpark price tool.
Length and height
A full backyard is a different job from one side.
Which sides
One side or both. The quote spells out which.
Condition of the wood
Gray wood and old peeling finish take more prep.
Stain or paint
A stain soaks in; a paint forms a film. They take different prep and time.
Fence and deck staining on the same job.
If the deck behind the fence needs stain too, say so at the visit: the written quote spells out each part. See deck staining and sealing, or shed and fence painting for painted fences and sheds.
How much does fence staining cost in Memphis?
Nationally, HomeAdvisor puts fence staining or painting at $750–$4,250 and Fixr at $1,000–$4,000, depending on length, height, condition and how many sides. Your price comes from the free written estimate.
When does a wood fence need to be stained?
When the wood has gone gray, water soaks in instead of beading up, the boards are splitting, or the old stain is wearing off in patches. Check the sunny side first.
Should I stain or paint my wood fence?
Stain soaks into the wood, and the lighter ones let the grain show; paint sits on top as a film and covers it. Stain tends to wear away rather than peel, while paint can peel if moisture gets behind it. Dario can talk through which suits your wood at the visit.
Can a new fence be stained right away?
Usually not. New pressure-treated wood is often still wet from the treatment and needs to dry out before it takes stain evenly. Sprinkle water on the boards: if it beads up, wait. Dario can check the wood at the visit.
How long does fence stain last?
It depends on the stain, the wood and how much sun the fence gets. Published guides say about 2 to 3 years for semi-transparent stain and 3 to 5 for solid. When water soaks in instead of beading, it is time. The how to stain a fence or deck guide has the sources.
Do you stain both sides of the fence?
Tell us which sides you want at the visit. The written quote spells out exactly what is included, so there is no confusion on the day.
What is the best time of year to stain a fence in Memphis?
A dry spell in fall or the calmer weeks of spring. Summer works on a dry day if the fence is in shade; stain put on in direct midday sun dries too fast and goes blotchy.
Helpful guides
Before you decide.
How to stain a fence or deck
Clean, dry, repair, stain: coats, sprayers, drying times and how long stain lasts.
When to paint an exterior
Label temperatures, dew point, rain and Memphis weather by month: the best windows for outside work.
How often to repaint
Intervals for each room, surface and deck, plus the signs it is time to repaint.
More from Dario’s Painting
All servicesThe rest of what we do.
Deck staining & sealing
Boards, rails and steps washed and dried, then stained or painted.
Learn more
Pressure washing
Houses, driveways, patios, decks and fences, washed clean of dirt, mildew and pollen.
Learn more
Shed & fence painting
Sheds, painted fences and porch railings, cleaned and prepped first.
Learn more
Wood rot repair
Rotten fascia, soffits, trim and siding boards cut out and replaced, then primed and painted to match.
Learn moreAreas we paint
Memphis, East Memphis, Cordova, Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Arlington and Lakeland.
Areas we paintBallpark price
Pick the job and get a rough range in about 30 seconds.
Get a ballparkFree estimate
Dario looks at the wood with you and leaves you a written price. Free, and yours to keep.
Free estimateFree estimate
Get a free fence staining estimate.
Answer a few short questions and Dario calls you back to book a time to see the fence, usually within the hour between 7am and 7pm. Or call now and talk to him directly.
Rather pick the time yourself? Book the free estimate visit online (weekdays 11:30 to 1:30, Saturdays 7am to 6pm). dario@dariospainting.com · 7am to 7pm, seven days