Fence painting is one of those homeowner chores that most people put off for as long as possible. The work of painting a fence can be tiring and the majority of people dread the cost of this type of project.
In this article, we are going to look at the average cost associated with this type of property maintenance. We will also explore ways to reduce the cost and ways to make the job easier to do.
Cost Calculation by Fence Size and Type
You cannot make a blanket statement saying how much it costs to paint a fence. There are a lot of different types of fences, made from different materials and the materials and fence style play a huge role in the cost of the painting.
Type of Fence
- Privacy fences – these fences create solid enclosures with boards tightly fitted to obscure views into the area. They are the most expensive to paint and stain because they contain the highest number of square feet of material.
- Shadow box fences have alternating wood pieces on either side of the fence post that creates a unique effect. They do not cover any more square feet than the privacy fence but they are more labor intensive to paint and that makes them more expensive to have painted.
- Picket fences can be made from vinyl or wood. They are not as tall as privacy fences and do not have as many square feet of material to paint.
- Aluminum fences do not have to be painted but can be to increase their beauty. You must use metal paint to do this project.
- Bamboo fences are rarely painted because the beauty of the bamboo can be diminished by the paint.
- Iron fences and farm fences are normally not painted but they can be to make the materials last longer.
Cost Estimate By Fence Type
| Material Type | Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost |
| Wrought Iron | $5.00 | $9.00 | $13.00 |
| Wood Picket | $3.00 | $4.00 | $8.00 |
| Wood Privacy | $5.00 | $8.00 | $12.00 |
| Aluminum | $5.00 | $9.00 | $12.00 |
| Steel Pipe | $4.00 | $8.00 | $12.00 |
| Chain Link | $4.00 | $7.00 | $11.00 |
| Shadow Box | $9.00 | $13.00 | $17.00 |
The other major consideration of fence painting is the length and height of the fence. A privacy fence is normally about 6’ tall and encloses an entire section like the backyard of a residence. Most other fences are no taller than four feet, but they could go around the house and yard or around a five-acre or larger piece of property.
Read our recent blog: How Much Does It Cost to Paint Vinyl Siding
Hiring a Pro to Paint Your Fence
Painting is something that just about everyone can do. It is easy to learn and most people can master the techniques of paint application in a short amount of time. There are people who paint for a living, and many people hire these pros to do their painting projects for them.
Reasons to Hire a Pro
- The finish produced will be of the highest quality and look its best
- They can do custom paint work to create a unique fence for you
- They do this often so they can paint faster and the project will be finished faster
- They have all of the equipment they need so you do not have to purchase paint sprayers and things of that nature
- You do not have to give up your free time to do the work
- They do the preparation, repairs, painting, and clean-up so you just enjoy the beauty of the newly painted item
- The quality of their work can enhance the value of your property
- They are less likely to get paint on important shrubbery or anything belonging to the neighbors
Labor Rates of Pro Painters
| Low Estimate | Average Estimate | High Estimate | |
| By the Foot | $1 | $2.50 | $4.00 |
| By the Hour | $15.00 | $25.00 | $40.00 |
| By the Day | $125 | $225 | $350 |
Cost Estimates for DIY Fence Painting
Do-it-yourself fence painting is a method of getting the work done for a lot less money.
| Substance | By the Quart | By the Gallon | Five-Gallon + |
| Primer | $12.65 | $25.98 | $98.00 |
| Paint | $15.00 | $47.00 | $160.00 |
Other things you will need to paint a fence for yourself are:
- Paint brushes – $10
- Roller Frame – $14
- Roller cover -$12
- Paint sprayer – $200
- Drop cloths – $10
- Sandpaper – $10
- Sander – $35
- Pressure washer – $78
- Scraper – $5
- Steel brush – $5
- Eye protection – $10
Which is Better on a Fence: Paint or Stain?
If you have new wood on a fence and are struggling with the decision of whether to stain the surface or paint the surface the following benefits and drawbacks of each will help you to make your mind up.
Benefits of Stain
- Allows the beauty of the wood grain to be seen
- It is more forgiving than paint
- Stain does not crack, peel or blister so it looks better longer
- You do not need to apply primer before applying the stain
- Stain is probably going to cost less because no primer is required
Drawbacks of Stain
- Needs to be applied when there will be no rain for at least two days
- Temperature influences stain and cannot be applied when temps are below 500
- Stain fades in the sun
- Stain is more difficult to apply
Benefits of Paint
- Wider variety of colors and finishes
- Paint dries faster than stain
- You can create unique designs and color combinations
- Can blister and peel over time
- You have to apply primer
- Paint is expensive
The real consideration of whether to paint or stain a fence is your own personal likes and dislikes. If you like the color then use the paint if you prefer natural wood looks then buy the stain.
To find a guide on painting your deck check it here: Average cost to Paint a Deck
Drawbacks of Paint
- It will not be as durable as a stain
- It will likely need to be scraped off before the next paint can be applied
Should You Use a Sprayer, Roller, or a Brush?
The paint on a fence can be applied with a paintbrush and roller or you can use a paint sprayer.
Benefits of a Paint Sprayer
- Applies the paint up to 10 times faster than a brush and roller
- Applies thin coats that dry faster
- Creates fewer runs and drips
Benefits of a Brush and Roller
- Cheaper to buy than a paint sprayer’
- Uses less paint or stain than a sprayer does
- Not as likely to get paint on surfaces away from the fence
- Easier to operate than a paint sprayer
- Clean up when you are finished is not as difficult
Fence Painting Tips from the Pros
- Save money on spray guns by renting them instead of purchasing them outright
- Always wash the fence before painting to remove dirt and debris
- Allow the fence to dry completely before trying to paint
- Weed eat or pull the weeds so grass and plant life do not interfere with the painting. Rake the leaves and clear the area immediately beside and under the fence.
- When using a sprayer, the overspray amount of each pass of paint should be 50%. Point your sprayer in the center of the first line of paint to create the perfect overspray for complete coverage
- Use only exterior grade paints and primers on fences
- Two thin coats of paint will cover more completely and look better when dry than one thick coat of paint will.
- Do not rush the work or it will look sloppy.
- Professional painters can cover 1000 square feet in about 3 hours but you are not as experienced and you need to give yourself plenty of time to complete the job.
- If you buy small cans of paint always combine them in a larger container before you start to paint. There are always slight color and hue variations that do not become evident until the paint dries.
FAQ’s
How Much Stain/Paint Do You Need?
Typical paints designed for exterior use will cover about 350 square feet per gallon. Figure up your square footage and then divide that number by 350 to see how many gallons you will need. A gallon of stain covers about 300 square feet.
When is the Right Time to Stain Your New Fence?
If your fence was constructed with new lumber you need to wait between one and six months before applying stain. This gives the lumber time to dry and age so the stain will adhere properly.
Is It Cheaper to Paint or Stain a Fence?
Paint goes farther than stain and the materials are less expensive to purchase. On the other hand, if you use paint, you must also buy primer to apply first, so paint and stain actually work out to be almost the same in cost.
What is the Fastest Way to Paint a Fence?
The fastest method of fence painting is using a spray gun. The spray gun lets you cover more square feet in less time than you would with a roller or brush.
Final Thoughts
Painting your fence is not as hard or as expensive as you might think. It is a way to protect your property and increase the beauty of your space. Often the value of your property is increased when you take the time to paint the fence and beautify the yard.
Whether you hire a pro or do the work for yourself is up to you, but know that when you do your own work you need to take your time so you create the best finish. When you hire a pro get bids from several contractors before deciding on which one to hire.
