Stain the fence and landscape (Kyle: rent, house, landscaping)

[futurehouse]

Hi Guys,

Can you give me some advice on how and what to use for staining the new fence?

Also please suggest names of some people who do landscaping for a reasonable cost?

Thanks....

[scm53]

Home Depot - Behr wood stain, 5 gallon can. Rent an airless sprayer from them - the feed goes straight in the can. You will be amazed how quickly the job goes. We were quoted $600 to do our fence, both sides. Did it for under $200, all in.

Be sure to mask the house with newspaper where the fence meets it.

[RooCeleste]

We used the same stain that scm53 mentioned, but we brushed it on to get thicker coverage and so we could still work on it even when the wind was blowing (making it cooler for us out in the sun!). It was actually fun when mixed with music and frozen mixed drinks, and MUCH cheaper than paying someone the $800 we got quoted.

[10scoachrick]

I've taken both the nylon pad and fence-qualified roller approach to staining our fence and deck. Even if you apply with a sprayer, back-rolling or back-brushing will drive the stain into the wood more. I used Behr's best on the deck and fence(both cedar) and needed to restain two years later. The PPG/Olympic line of stains has performed better for me. The PPG "Sun-Proof" semi-opaque stain looks like it could go another two years on the deck and the fence looks great after two years(may recoat the 'street side' again this year, but it really doesn't 'need' it). The 'warranty' on stains is pretty much useless, IMO. Of course, the prep work can make a big difference in the 'life' of the stain.

A sealer/stain will help protect the wood but nothing is impervious to the Texas sun and the bleaching action of landscape sprinklers. If you do use an inground sprinkler system, make sure it doesn't soak the fence any more than necessary. You can protect against the horrible 'mushroom cap' outline seen on so many privacy fences in the area.

Should have mentioned this first...IF your fencing is pressure treated, it may need to season a bit before it will accept stain uniformly. If it's cedar, I'd go with a 'cedar naturaltone' color or one shade darker to keep the fence looking fresh. Any wild colors or solid stain/paint will likely reveal the contrasting wood color over time.

[G Grasshopper]

I just got a new wood fence, and the fence guy said we should let it wait several months before staining. The fence has treated posts and rails but natural cedar pickets. Should I actually wait until next spring?

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by G Grasshopper

I just got a new wood fence, and the fence guy said we should let it wait several months before staining. The fence has treated posts and rails but natural cedar pickets. Should I actually wait until next spring?

In this kind of dry heat, I'd say fall would be the perfect time. You remember 'fall', don't you? It shows up a bit after Thanksgiving most years.

[futurehouse]

All of you....Thanks a lot!

Any ideas on landscaping in backyard??

[janejanejanejanejane]

no one responded cause there are no cheap companies for landscaping. It's super expensive. Best to try craigslist for some day laborers- but that's iffy.

[DittoDitto]

I hired a guy from Craigs List. I showed him the beds I wanted weeded. He did part of the job and demanded payment. I gave him some money. Then he just left. He never finished and I never heard from him again.

Eventually I hired Ground Exchange LLC. I was very happy with their work. Kyle sent out a crew a few days after I talked to him. He weeded the gardens, made new beds, mulched, pulled dead bushes, and planted bushes and flowers. You can reach them at 512-785-7850. He was 3 times more expensive than the guy from Craigs List, but Kyle actually did the work.

[scottsheehan026]

What does the Landscape project consist of?