Texas Heat Is Tough on Fences in Greater Dallas — Here’s How to Paint or Stain Yours the Right Way

Last July, a homeowner in Oak Cliff watched their beautiful cedar fence turn from rich brown to sun-bleached gray in just four months. By September, the boards were cracking. Sound familiar?

If you live in Greater Dallas, you know the fight. Between 100°F summer days that bleach wood in weeks, surprise thunderstorms, and humidity that invites mold, your fence is under constant assault. But with the right products, prep, and timing, your fence doesn’t just survive—it thrives.

Why Staining Matters

Constant UV exposure bleaches your fence’s natural color and dries out wood fibers. Meanwhile, moisture causes swelling, rot, and mildew. A quality finish blocks UV rays, seals out water, and extends your fence’s lifespan—saving you money on early replacements.

In a recent Plano project, two large cedar sections totaling over 3,600 square feet were fully cleaned and stained, completely reviving the fence’s look and strength.

Paint vs. Stain: What Works Best in Texas

Paint offers solid color and UV protection but tends to peel when temperatures spike. Stain penetrates the wood, highlights natural grain, and resists peeling—making it the smarter choice for our climate. It’s also easier to refresh every 2–3 years.

For Greater Dallas weather, we recommend oil-based stains like Ready Seal or Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck. Thanks to our national buying power, we source these premium products at competitive prices.

The Pre-Staining Advantage

Here’s what most fence companies won’t tell you: staining only the visible side leaves vulnerable edges exposed to moisture and UV damage.

At Top Rail Fence, we pre-stain every board on all sides before installation. Top, bottom, edges, both faces—everything is sealed before it ever faces the Texas sun.

Arthur G. in Oak Cliff chose our pre-staining option because he wanted his fence to “stand the test of time.” Two years later, despite hitting rock on every post hole during installation, that 8-foot board-on-board fence still looks as rich and protected as day one.

Timing and Prep

The best seasons to stain are spring and fall, when temperatures range from 50°F–85°F. Always let your fence dry for at least 48 hours after rain before applying any finish.

Good prep separates finishes that fade fast from those that last years:

• Power-wash to remove dirt, mildew, and old coatings
• Replace cracked or warped boards
• Lightly sand rough areas

Not sure if your fence needs restoration or replacement? We’re out in Mesquite, Forney, and Duncanville every week. Want us to swing by for a free look? No pressure, just honest advice.

When to Call the Pros

If your fence is gray, peeling, or starting to rot, it’s time to call in help. At Top Rail Fence, we’ve restored countless fences across Plano, Frisco, Allen, Desoto, and Cedar Hill—turning faded wood into durable, beautiful features.

Most installations take just 2-3 days. We arrive early, work efficiently, and leave your property cleaner than we found it. Rex J. in Grand Prairie told us: “These guys took down the old fence in less than an hour. They wanted to skip lunch to get more done. Haul off and clean up was 10 stars.”

Look, we’re out there every day—William’s quoting fences in Cedar Hill, Matthew’s wrapping up projects in Midlothian. We see what works and what fails in Texas weather. Your fence doesn’t need to be another casualty of the climate.

Request your free estimate today and let Top Rail Fence North Dallas help your fence look its best—and stay that way through every Texas season.