Wood fences in Boston stand in snow, rain and sun all year, and bare wood turns grey within a season or two. We wash the fence, let it dry, fix loose boards and apply a stain that soaks in or a paint where a solid color is wanted. New pressure-treated wood is left to dry before it is coated.
Fences in Boston are short runs on small lots: a board fence between two back yards, a picket fence at the sidewalk, a cedar screen around a patio or the bins. Because lots are narrow, one side of the fence often faces a neighbor a few feet away, and the bottom of the boards sits against soil, mulch or a snow pile half the year. That bottom edge is where a fence finish wears out first.
Before coating, we wash the fence to take off green growth, dirt and grey weathered fiber, then let it dry. Loose pickets are refastened and split boards are pointed out to you. Plants are tied back or covered, and the ground, the neighbor's side and any car parked nearby are protected from drips and overspray. On a tight city lot much of the stain is applied by brush for that reason, which also works it into rough-sawn boards.
A penetrating stain suits most cedar and pressure-treated fences, since it soaks in and wears away slowly instead of peeling. Paint or solid stain gives one even color and is the usual choice for a picket fence in front of an older house, but it needs scraping and spot-priming when it is redone. New pressure-treated wood is left to dry out before its first coat. We will test it with a few drops of water.
Fence painting & staining in Boston: common questions
Do you stain both sides of the fence?
We stain every side we can reach with permission. The side facing your neighbor is on or over their property, so please ask them first. Many neighbors are glad to have it done at the same time.
My iron fence and gate are rusting. Can you paint those?
Yes. Iron fences are common in front of Boston rowhouses. Loose rust and paint are removed by hand, bare metal is primed with a rust-inhibiting primer, and a finish coat made for metal goes on top.
Should a front picket fence be painted or stained?
For a crisp white or a color matched to the house trim, use paint or a solid stain. For natural cedar, use a penetrating stain. Paint looks sharper but needs more upkeep in this climate.
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.