Blogs

The truth is, the best wood for your project depends on what you're building, where it's located, and how much maintenance you're willing to do over the years. At Stain & Seal Supply, we work with contractors and homeowners across the country who stain everything from backyard fences and decks to pergolas, timber frames, and log homes. One thing we've learned is this: the right stain can dramatically improve performance, but it can't completely overcome choosing the wrong wood for the job.

Your fence or deck is one of the biggest investments on your property, but it's also one of the most exposed. Day after day, it's subjected to sunlight, rain, changing temperatures, dirt, pollen, moisture, and everyday wear. Over time, even the highest-quality stain begins to weather. One of the most common questions homeowners and contractors ask is, "How often should I re-stain my fence or deck?" 

Sometimes callbacks are unavoidable. Weather happens. Wood behaves differently than expected. A customer may not have liked something outside your control. However, many callbacks come from small details that are easy to overlook when you're focused on getting to the next project.

Since the first Staining University in 2019, we've had the privilege of bringing contractors together year after year to learn, grow, and challenge one another. What started as a single training event has grown into a community built on education, mentorship, and a shared commitment to raising the standard of the wood care industry. Every year reinforces that we're building something much bigger than an event, and we can't wait to see how this community continues to grow, inspire the next generation of contractors, and leave a lasting impact on the wood care industry for years to come.

Every contractor enters the wood care industry from a different starting point. Some are staining their first fence on the weekends. Others are running multiple crews and managing a full production schedule. No matter where you are in your journey, one thing remains true: growth rarely happens by accident.

Learn more about the EXPERT Paint & Stain Machine and discover how better systems can help your business complete projects faster while maintaining professional results.

No matter how the journey starts, most contractors have one thing in common: they begin by figuring everything out on their own.

Fence staining has changed a lot over the years. What used to be a brush, pump sprayer, and long production days has evolved into systems that help contractors and homeowners work faster, cleaner, and more efficiently. One of the tools changing that process is the staining machine.

Sanding and stripping both remove material from the wood. Their purpose is slightly different. Sanding is a mechanical process and grinds down the surface. Stripping is a chemical process and breaks down coatings and lifts them out of the wood.