Everything You Need To Know About Fence Treatments

When it comes to outdoor wood such as fences, there are a whole host of treatments available which can make it extremely difficult to find out which one is most suitable for you. That is why our experts have put together this ultimate guide to fence treatments.

In this guide we will cover:

• What is a fence treatment
• Coloured fence treatments
• Clear fence treatments
• What fence treatment is right
• Why should you use a fence treatment
• Applying fence treatments

What Is A Fence Treatment?

Fence treatment like any wood treatment can have a wide variety of meanings attached to it. There are a huge array of products for outdoor wood, including wood paints, wood stains, wood oils, wood preservers, wood waterproofers, to name a few. While wood products come in all shapes and sizes, there are two broad forms; those that change the appearance of the wood and those that offer clear, invisible protection.

Coloured Fence Treatments

Coloured wood treatments include paints, oils and preservatives, each changing wood in different ways. Paints give a solid, opaque colour, stains are semi-transparent and oils add sheen while darkening and nourishing the wood. Preserves add colour while protecting against fungi and insects. While these products offer some protection, they often have short lifespans and require regular maintenance.

Clear Fence Treatments

Clear treatments for timber include wood sealers and wood waterproofers, which protect wood while keeping its natural appearance by making the surface water-repellent. This is important because wood is highly porous and easily absorbs moisture, which can lead to rot, organic growth and discolouration.

Key points to know:

• Breathability is essential to allow water vapour to escape
• Low-breathability products can trap moisture and cause peeling or flaking
• Wood sealers usually form a surface film that blocks both water and vapour
• Wood waterproofers repel water while still allowing the wood to breathe

Advanced waterproofers like Emperor Exterior Wood Waterproofer penetrate and chemically bond with timber, providing super hydrophobic protection without forming a surface film. This preserves breathability, keeps wood dry and ensures long-lasting durability. Independently tested, it withstands harsh weather for 25 years without reapplication.

It also offers UV protection, preventing wood from bleaching or ‘silvering’ and maintaining its natural colour.

Which Fence Treatment Is Right For Me?

As we have established, there are a huge amount of options when it comes to treating fences, so no matter what you are looking for there is a fence treatment for you. The important things to consider are; the surface you are applying it to, the level of protection you want and the finish you want to achieve.

Suitability

The current condition of your fence affects which products you can use. Wood stains and clear treatments, like waterproofer, must be applied to bare timber, not painted surfaces. If your fence is already painted, you’ll need to remove the paint or use another wood paint.

If you are treating bare, unpainted wood and want to maintain its natural look, we recommend applying Emperor Exterior Wood Waterproofer. If you are looking to colour your fence, either a good-quality wood paint or wood stain is the best option for you.

Protection

Wood paints, wood stains and wood oils generally do not offer high levels of weather protection and will allow some level of moisture to enter the fence. This is because they are often acrylic or oil-based products, which are not water repellent and highly breathable.

It is important to use a water repellent product that will prevent water ingress, while also remaining highly breathable. Any product applied to the timber will provide some level of protection, although the period before the coating begins to peel or flake will depend on the product. Generally, wood treatments can last anywhere from 12 months with some wood oils to 25 years with advanced wood waterproofers.

Why Should I Treat My Fence?

There can be a wide variety of benefits to applying a treatment to your fencing, which include:

• Reducing the risk of organic growth – by reducing water absorption, you prevent the conditions necessary for organic growth, such as lichens, mildew and moss to bloom on the fence.
• Improving or maintaining appearance – by treating the fence, you can either completely transform the appearance of the wood or simply ensure that the wood maintains its beautiful natural look without deteriorating over time.
• Reducing the risk of rotting – treating wood with a water repellent treatment ensures that rotting is prevented, caused by a fungus that feeds on the timber in high-moisture conditions.
• Reducing the risk of discolouration – saturated wood will discolour over time through dark, damp patches that appear after rainfall, which can be prevented by reducing this saturation.
• UV protection – wood over time can go through a process of ‘silvering’, caused by the bleaching of the wood through UV degradation. Clear treatments for timber can prevent this silvering, maintaining the natural hue of the wood.
• Reducing the risk of shrinkage – when the moisture levels of outdoor wood change, the timber can contract and expand, causing it to split. By ensuring consistently low-moisture levels, this cracking and warping of the wood is prevented.

Whether you have new or already weathered fencing, it is highly recommended that you apply a fence treatment to prevent any future weathering. While the best way to protect wood is while it is new, even if your fencing has been exposed to the elements for several years, you can help to prevent further damage and ultimately extend its lifespan.

Applying Fence Treatments

When applying a fence treatment, the process will vary depending on the product you are using; however, there are several key similarities. No matter what treatment you are using, the most important step of the process is the preparation. If you do not take time at the preparation stage, you run the risk of not only achieving a below-par finish, but also the treatment not performing as it should.

Fence Treatment: Quick Steps

1. Clean the fence – Power wash for heavy dirt, or scrub with hot, soapy water for light grime.
2. Apply fungicidal cleaner – Kills existing moss, mildew, and algae to prevent regrowth.
3. Protect surroundings – Use dust sheets and exterior masking tape to avoid overspray.
4. Apply treatment –Wood paint, stain, or oil: 3 coats or clear treatment like Emperor Wood Waterproofer: 1 coat
5. Use the right tools – 4″ brush for precision, roller or spray for speed.
6. Follow coverage instructions – Apply the correct film thickness for optimal results.

Read more: How apply Emperor Wood Waterproofer

Frequently Asked Questions

What product guarantees are available?

Due to the numerous variables at hand when treating any outdoor wood, whether it be decking, fencing or cladding, generally product guarantees are not widely available. Emperor Exterior Wood Waterproofer comes with a 10 year manufacturer guarantee which ensures the performance of the product in any weather conditions if applied in accordance with the data sheet. It also comes with a 25 year proven performance, as in independent testing it was found to perform for a 25 year accelerated weathering period with no breakdown or deterioration.

What is the difference between oil-based and water-based products?

You will see a wide variety of water-based and oil-based fence treatments on the market. Generally, water-based treatments are quicker drying, do not come with a nasty smell and are lower in VOC’s when compared to oil-based treatments. Oil-based products also come with low breathability, which can lead to the treatment failing when moisture builds up. Emperor Exterior Wood Waterproofer is an example of a water-based fence treatment, meaning any tools can be cleaned with water after use and the product will be dry in 1-2 hours.

Does the type of wood my fence is make a difference?

While you will get hardwood and softwood used regularly on a range of exterior timber surfaces, ultimately any bare, untreated wood will be prone to weathering and needs to be treated if you want to protect it and help maintain its appearance.

Is Emperor Wood Waterproofer a wood preserver?

A wood preserver generally contains anti-fungal and anti-bug components to help protect wood, which is then either left as a decorative topcoat or overcoated using another fence treatment, such as a wood paint. Emperor Exterior Wood Waterproofer by keeping exterior fencing dry, helps to prevent the weathering that leads to organic growth, rotting, discolouration and other side effects of moisture. This means that not only the wood is protected, but the wood stays looking completely natural without adding any colour or sheen to the timber.

We hope we have answered any questions you may have had regarding fence treatments. If you have any other questions, feel free to get in touch with our team of experts who are on hand to assist you. Contact them today by emailing [email protected] or calling them on 01254 936121.