Is it worth it to stain a fence?

• <div><p>If you have the time and the budget, we strongly recommend staining your fence, especially if it's looking a bit tired or hasn't been treated recently. While you may not see the same return on investment (ROI) as you would with a project like a <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-a-kitchen-remodel-increase-home-value.htm">kitchen remodel</a>, staining a fence is one of the best ways to add a facelift to your property—a new fence stain adds serious curb appeal to your home. </p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Painting pros in Millbrae, CA

*The Angi rating for Painting companies in Millbrae, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Painting needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Painting companies in Millbrae, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Painting needs.

Last update on March 31, 2026

Reviewed in March 2026
Very reliable, great quality paint and work. Finished in good time. Hard workers. All the prep work done to high standards as was the painting. Primer plus multiple coats of paint. Professional job looks great.
Escobar Pro Painting Corp.
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Reviewed in November 2025
He did a great job painting my home,
Tony's Improving
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Reviewed in September 2025
I had an excellent experience with Penagos Painting and recommend the firm without qualification. I had a full-house electrical upgrade from knob and tube wiring which left 32+ 3” holes that required patching and painting. Marco is a complete professional that moves your furniture for the...
Penagos Painting
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Reviewed in March 2025
Tikal painting is the best company that I ever hired to do my interior house paint I love working with them they are friendly people we recommend to hire them if you got any painting waterproofing and exterior paint
Tikal Painting Corp
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Reviewed in April 2024
We were very pleased with our painting project with Romanov Painting. Andrey was on time each day, professional, responsive to my check-ins during the project, worked cleanly and completed the project promptly. We would definitely use Romanov Painting again and would highly recommend for anyone...
Romanov Painting Company
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Reviewed in August 2023
We were very pleased with the paint project for our home! The owner Julio promised we would be satisfied with the work and he didn't disappoint!! The painters were very professional and clean making sure everything was thoroughly taped/ covered to keep any paint from dripping onto our new...
Beyond Quality painting
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Reviewed in July 2023
Masterful Construction's painting service is second to none! They brought life and character to our home with their expert painting skills. The painters were efficient, neat, and worked with incredible precision. The entire process was seamless, from the initial consultation to the final...
Masterful Construction, Inc.
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Reviewed in February 2023
I hired Jose to repair and paint my double front doors. He went above and beyond to remove the old paint which was very difficult and made sure all was done to my satisfaction. I am very happy with the way they turned out.
Jose Handyman Services
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Reviewed in April 2022
The project was to paint the exterior of my house. Ro-Lo Painting did an outstanding job. My house looks great and standing out in my neighborhood. I am a very satisfied customer. If Iâ ll have another project in the future, I will hire Ro-Lo Painting again without reservations.
Prestige Custom Painting, Inc
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Reviewed in August 2021
Gruber Painting did a great job painting some of the exterior parts of our home that get a lot of sun exposure and were looking pretty shabby. We felt their price was reasonable. The crew was friendly and got the job done on time. The only thing I can negatively say about the crew is the cleanup...
Gruber Painting
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Painting questions, answered by experts

Staining a wood fence isn’t guaranteed to prevent warping, but it can help. Plus, it’s a beginner-friendly DIY project that you can finish in a few days. If you want to try it, you’ll start by stripping it of any old stain or paint, then sanding it. After that, you’ll clean it and spot-treat any mold or mildew. When it’s dry, you can apply the stain.

If you have the time and the budget, we strongly recommend staining your fence, especially if it's looking a bit tired or hasn't been treated recently. While you may not see the same return on investment (ROI) as you would with a project like a kitchen remodel, staining a fence is one of the best ways to add a facelift to your property—a new fence stain adds serious curb appeal to your home.

The process of painting or staining a fence typically takes between one and five days. The total duration depends on factors like the size of the fence, weather conditions, and necessary drying times. A significant portion of this time is for drying, as stain won't properly absorb into wet wood. You should wait 24 hours to stain a fence after washing it and allow 12 to 24 hours of drying time between each coat. The active work time is generally about one hour for every 10 to 20 linear feet of fencing.

Moisture and rot are the largest threat to wooden fences. Stain can help your wood fence last 15 to 20 years, but only if you choose a stain with waterproofing qualities or add a sealant. Oil-based stains create a thicker moisture barrier than water-based stains, though both are mold and mildew resistant. You’ll generally need to re-stain your fence every one to eight years to get full protection.

You can weather a new wood fence by applying vinegar with steel wool as a way to fade some of the coloring. You may also find it easier to stain your entire fence a new color instead of trying to get newer fence boards to match an older one.

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