Choosing between staining and painting your fence might seem like a simple aesthetic decision. But the right choice goes much deeper—literally. At Tom Sawyer Fence Painting San Diego, we help homeowners choose finishes that protect, enhance, and last in our local climate. In this post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of both options, cover costs, visual differences, longevity, and what to expect in terms of maintenance.

What’s the Difference Between Paint and Stain?

Paint coats the surface of the wood, creating a solid barrier that hides the wood grain. Stain, especially oil-based stain, penetrates into the wood, highlighting its natural beauty while also protecting it from within. Each has its benefits, but the best option often depends on your wood type, style preference, and how much upkeep you’re willing to do.

The Case for Stain

At Tom Sawyer, we use Stain and Seal Experts Oil Stain because it delivers professional-grade protection with a beautiful, natural finish. Penetrating oil has less pigment, meaning it will require more regular maintenance to retain its appearance. However, the trade-off is unmatched protection. This oil penetrates deep into the wood, helping to reduce warping and cracking by up to 98%. It also protects against termites, fungus, and other organic growth. Even when the visible pigment fades due to sun exposure, the oil inside the wood continues to keep it healthy.

1. Types of Stain

• Transparent: Shows off the natural grain and color of the wood. Best for new or high-quality wood.
• Semi-Transparent: Adds subtle color while still revealing the grain. A balanced, popular choice.
• Semi-Solid: Offers more color coverage but still allows texture to show. Ideal for older fences with wear.

2. Longevity and Maintenance

• Transparent stains: 1-3 years
• Semi-transparent: 2-4 years
• Semi-solid: 4-6 years

While stain does fade over time, it does so evenly, making re-coating easy without stripping. Our oil stains penetrate deep into the wood—not just sitting on top—which extends their protective power.

3. Key Considerations

• Oil Bleed-Through: If your neighbor’s side of the fence isn’t stained with the same product, our oil stain can bleed through to their side. Coordinating finishes is key.
• Concrete Contact: Oil stains can discolor concrete if not properly masked off. We take steps to ensure clean application with full prep and taping.
• Maintenance Coats: When it’s time for a refresh, we do a light cleaning and reapply the stain. No sanding or stripping required—simple and cost-effective.

Explore our color gallery to see stain options.

The Case for Paint (Solid Stain)

We use Behr Premium Solid Color Stain for clients who want a painted look with extra durability. Acrylic solid stains are flexible, making them an excellent choice for softwood fences that expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. Unlike latex paint, which can harden and crack, acrylic stain flexes with the wood. However, it does not penetrate the wood and therefore won’t protect the inside from rot, termites, warping, or fungal growth. It’s ideal if aesthetics and minimal maintenance are your primary concerns, but it offers less structural protection.

1. Visual Appearance

Solid stain gives a rich, uniform look that mimics paint while still allowing wood texture to peek through. It’s great for older wood that may have imperfections or for clients who want bolder color choices.

2. Application Process

We apply two coats with a back-brush technique. This ensures the stain gets into every fiber of the wood, improving adhesion and longevity. It’s more labor-intensive, but the result is worth it.

3. Longevity and Maintenance

• Behr solid stain lasts 10 to 15 years on vertical surfaces.
• When it starts to fade or peel, touch-ups require pressure washing and full repainting for uniformity. In some cases sanding may be required if the fence was not well maintained.

Check out the Behr color collection for inspiration.

Matching New and Old Fence Sections

If you’re adding a new section of fencing to an existing structure, achieving a seamless color match can be challenging. As wood ages, it becomes more porous and the grain opens up. This aged wood absorbs more stain than new lumber, often resulting in a darker, uneven tone even when using the same product. Even with expert application, it’s nearly impossible to get a perfect match. We help clients understand these limitations upfront and offer blending techniques to minimize the contrast, but some visual difference is always to be expected.

Cost Considerations

• Initial cost: Paint (solid stain) tends to be slightly more expensive due to the extra labor and prep.
• Long-term cost: Stain, especially oil-based, is more affordable to maintain over time. However, it requires more frequent upkeep. 

Which Is Right for You?

If you want a natural, breathable, low-maintenance finish and love the look of wood, oil-based stain is your best bet. But if you prefer a bolder, painted look and don’t mind more intensive upkeep down the line, solid stain is a great option.

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose stain or paint, the most important factor is quality preparation and proper application. At Tom Sawyer Fence Painting San Diego, we don’t cut corners. Our team ensures every fence we finish not only looks amazing but holds up beautifully for years.

Need help deciding? Get in touch for a consultation—we’ll walk you through color choices, timelines, and care.