Wood fences in Detroit go grey fast under sun, rain and snow, and frost heave loosens posts over time. We check the posts and boards first, wash the fence, let it dry and then stain or paint it. Stain suits most privacy fences. Paint gives a crisp look on pickets.
Detroit lots are narrow and deep, and a great many of them have a fence along the alley or between neighbors. We finish wood privacy fences, picket fences in front of older homes and the wood gates that go with them. Unfinished pine or cedar turns grey within a season or two outdoors. The grey is weathered fiber on the surface, and stain will not hold on it. So the first step is always to clean the wood back to a sound face.
Before washing, we walk the fence line and push on the posts. Frost in the ground lifts and tilts posts over the years, and a loose post should be reset before money is spent on a finish. Cracked pickets and rails are noted in the quote. Plants are tied back or covered, and we let your neighbor know if we need to reach the far side. After the wash the fence dries, and then stain or paint is applied by brush, roller or sprayer and worked into the boards.
Stain is the usual pick for a privacy fence. It has no thick film, so it fades over time and can be recoated without scraping. Paint gives the crisp white or black look many people want on a picket fence, and it needs a primer on bare wood. The bottoms of boards rot first, since they sit near wet soil, so we coat the lower edges with extra care. The quote is based on the length, the height and whether both sides are done.
Fence painting & staining in Detroit: common questions
Do you stain both sides of the fence?
We can do one side or both. Coating both sides protects the wood better. The far side may be on a neighbor's property, so we need their permission to work there. Tell us at the estimate and we will price each option.
Can a chain link or iron fence be painted?
Yes. Metal fences are wire brushed to remove loose rust, primed with a rust inhibiting primer and painted with a coating made for metal. Old ironwork may have lead paint on it, so we check before any sanding starts.
Is spraying a fence as good as brushing it?
Spraying is fast and reaches into gaps. On rough wood we follow the sprayer with a brush or roller to push the stain into the grain. We shield cars, houses and plants from overspray, and we do not spray on windy days.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.