It's always important to stain a new fence. Portland, Oregon, however, presents extra challenges when it comes to durable staining. It's not easy to protect a fence from Portland's unique combination of harsh summer sun and copious winter rain. To keep a fence standing up to Portland's wet weather, it's important to choose the right fence stain, and to apply it properly. When staining your cedar fence materials, Portland homeowners should keep the following practices in mind:

1. Let it dry before staining.
Yes, staining is a top priority for any fence, whether split rail fencing, a good neighbor fence or a picket fence. Staining minimizes weather damage to cedar fence materials. However, staining a new fence too early can limit protection from weather. For stain to penetrate the wood fully, the wood must dry for at least a few days in warm, sunny weather.

2. Apply stain during dry, cloudy weather.
Dry weather is the traditional time for staining cedar fence materials. Portland rain, however, can make it tough to find a dry spell. On the plus side though, cloudy skies are ideal for staining a fence. Intense sun can have an adverse effect on drying stain, while a cloud cover allows the stain a bit of protection while it seeps into the wood and dries.

3. Prep cedar fence materials with a wood brightener.
Portland has plenty of beautiful trees - in fact, some even say living in Portland is like living in a giant park. One downside to having so many trees around is that their falling leaves can stain or mar wood fences. Applying a wood brightener before staining can help. Wood brighteners usually contain oxalic acid, which removes rust and tannin stains from fallen leaves. Additionally, wood brighteners open up wood pores to allow the stain to penetrate more deeply. Even a new split rail fencing installation can benefit from the use of a wood brightener, as it can ultimately extend the life of your fence stain and reduce the overall number of applications needed.

4. Choose a natural oil-based stain.

Many Portland Oregon homeowners are concerned with protecting the planet. Some wood stains are more earth-friendly than others. Water-based stains are the most eco-friendly, but they don't absorb into cedar fence materials as well as other stains, and will therefore need to be reapplied more often. For a better balance between durability and environmental concerns, choose a natural oil-based stain. Stay away from petroleum-based and synthetic products; they are the least Earth-friendly.

Coverage is another thing to keep in mind when choosing a fence stain. Typically, stains are available in three types: solid, semi-transparent, and clear. Solid staining provides the most protection against sun; however, it will mask the natural appearance of your cedar fence materials. Additionally, it won't last as long as the other two categories of stains. For Portland weather, a semi-transparent stain is best because it offers adequate UV protection while scoring high on durability.

When it comes to extending the life of your wood split rail fencing installation, a meticulous stain job one of the best things you can do. Portland weather can a real challenge for cedar fence materials, but a high-quality stain goes a long way toward prolonging the life - and improving the appearance - of a wood fence.