Do You Really Need to Stain Your Redwood Fence?

SAN RAFAEL — Many homeowners stain their redwood fences because they think it will preserve the wood and extend the fence’s lifespan, but this is a misconception. The reality is stain has a purely aesthetic function that doesn’t affect the integrity of the wood. Fortunately, redwood doesn’t even need a preservative—the natural tannin it contains enables it to resist the effects of weather, moisture and insects without the aid of auxiliary sealants.

If you do choose to stain your redwood fence, you’ll want to restain it every five years to maintain the desired coloration. If you choose not to stain it, the wood will eventually take on a grayish-brown color, but it will still look nice and have the same structural integrity.