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Regular staining, sealing, and inspecting for rot or insect damage prolongs fence lifespan.

Limewash and whitewash are two techniques used to give brick a light, matte finish, but they differ in composition, application, and permanence. The best choice depends on your aesthetic goals and the specific surface.

Composition

• Limewash: A natural and environmentally friendly option made from limestone, water, and sometimes pigments. It is breathable and soaks into porous surfaces like brick.

• Whitewash: Traditionally made from lime, water, chalk, and binders, but a similar look can be achieved with watered-down white paint. It is paint-based and sits on top of the surface.

Appearance and Finish

• Limewash: Provides a natural, textured appearance that allows the brick's character to show through. It offers a more traditional finish.

• Whitewash: Creates a softer, more opaque finish, often used for a rustic or shabby-chic style.

Application and Permanence

• Limewash: Is semi-permanent and can be removed, making it a good choice if you might want to change the look in the future. It requires more skill to apply and cannot be used on previously painted brick.

• Whitewash: Is a more permanent solution. It is more forgiving to apply and can be used on painted brick. However, because it sits on the surface, it can trap moisture.

Ultimately, if you want a breathable, natural, and reversible finish for unpainted brick, limewash is a great option. If you need a more permanent, opaque coating that can be applied over painted surfaces, whitewash is the better choice. Whitewashing may also be more economical, costing approximately $1.40 to $4.20 per square foot.

While power washing isn't a requirement before you stain a fence, it can make the job much easier and faster while reducing manual labor requirements. The stain will not work if the wood is full of dirt and dust, so power washing, sometimes called pressure washing, is a fast and effective way to prepare the wood for staining. Remember that you need to stain or repaint relatively soon after the wood has dried so that there isn’t time for dust and dirt to build up again. 

The number of coats you need to apply when whitewashing a surface depends on how opaque you want the final product to be. If you're going for a transparent, barely there look, a single coat or two may suffice. For fuller coverage, you'll want to use multiple coats. Another option is to use a less diluted paint to get a thicker coverage.