Fence staining and painting in Toronto: pricing, products, and what actually works (2026)
Quick Answer: Fence painting and staining in Toronto costs $500 to $4,000+ in 2026. A standard 100-foot backyard privacy fence runs $500 to $1,200 for staining, $700 to $1,500 for painting. Per linear foot: $3.00 to $8.00 depending on fence height, condition, and finish type. Get a quote for your fence.
After 20 years of exterior work across Toronto, I can tell you that fences are the most neglected part of most people's property. The house gets painted. The deck gets stained. The fence just sits there turning grey until it starts falling apart.
A fence is just wood exposed to weather on all sides. It gets the same UV and freeze-thaw cycles as your deck and siding. The difference is that a deck costs $5,000 to $15,000 to replace. A fence costs $3,000 to $8,000. Neither is cheap. Both last significantly longer when they're properly finished and maintained.
What follows: real pricing, stain vs paint advice, which products hold up to our weather, and how we do the work.
Fence staining and painting prices in Toronto (2026)
By fence length (6-foot privacy fence, both sides, two coats)
| Fence Length | Staining | Painting | Full Refinish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 linear feet | $300-$600 | $400-$750 | $600-$1,000 |
| 100 linear feet | $500-$1,200 | $700-$1,500 | $1,000-$2,000 |
| 150 linear feet | $800-$1,800 | $1,000-$2,200 | $1,500-$3,000 |
| 200+ linear feet | $1,000-$2,500 | $1,400-$3,000 | $2,000-$4,000+ |
By service type (per linear foot, 6-foot fence)
| Service | Cost Per Linear Foot | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Power wash and clean only | $1.00-$2.00 | Cleaning, mildew removal, brightening |
| Light prep and stain (2 coats) | $3.50-$6.00 | Light sanding, cleaning, two coats of stain |
| Full strip, sand, and stain | $6.00-$8.00 | Stripping old finish, heavy sanding, two coats |
| Full refinish with repairs | $8.00-$10.00+ | Board replacement, post repairs, full prep, two coats |
| One side only | Roughly 40-50% less | Same process, half the surface area |
Shorter fences (4-foot) cost less per linear foot. Taller fences (8-foot) cost more. Gates, lattice tops, and decorative sections add time and cost because they're slower to work on than flat boards.
What pushes the price up
Fence condition matters most. A relatively new fence in decent shape needs a wash, light sand, and two coats. That's the lower end of the range. An old fence with peeling paint, grey weathered wood, and boards that need replacing is a different project entirely.
Access is the other big factor. Fences along property lines with tight access, gardens on both sides, or gates that don't open wide enough for equipment add time. A fence along a wide-open backyard is faster to work on than one squeezed between two houses.
Previous finish type matters too. A fence that's been stained before is simple to re-stain. A fence that's been painted and the paint is peeling? That needs stripping before anything else can happen, which adds $2.00 to $4.00 per linear foot.
Stain vs. paint for Toronto fences
Same advice I give for decks, with one difference: fences actually handle paint slightly better than decks because they're vertical. Water doesn't pool on vertical surfaces the way it does on horizontal deck boards. Paint still peels eventually in Toronto weather, but it lasts longer on a fence than on a deck.
That said, I still recommend stain for most Toronto fences. Here's why.
| Semi-Transparent Stain | Solid Colour Stain | Fence Paint | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood grain visible | Yes | Minimal | No |
| Hides imperfections | No | Yes | Yes |
| Durability | 2-3 years | 3-5 years | 3-5 years |
| How it fails | Fades evenly | Fades evenly | Peels and cracks |
| Maintenance | Wash, scuff sand, recoat | Wash, scuff sand, recoat | Scrape, sand, prime, repaint |
| Best for | New cedar fences | Most Toronto fences | Previously painted fences |
The maintenance difference is the real story. When stain fades, you wash the fence, lightly sand, and apply a fresh coat. Maybe a Saturday afternoon project. When paint peels, you scrape every board, sand, prime bare spots, and repaint. That's a weekend you won't get back.
My recommendation: Solid colour stain for most fences. Semi-transparent stain for newer cedar where you want to see the grain. Paint only if the fence is already painted and the existing paint is in good shape.
Our fence staining process
Same standards we apply to every exterior project.
1. Inspection
We walk the entire fence line. Both sides. We check board condition, post stability, existing finish, and note any repairs needed. Gates, lattice sections, and decorative caps get assessed separately. You get a written quote within 24 hours.
2. Repairs
Rotten or split boards get replaced with matching lumber. Loose posts get reinforced. Popped nails get pulled and replaced with screws. We fix the fence before we finish it. Board replacement typically adds $15 to $30 per board.
3. Power washing
We power wash both sides of the entire fence to remove dirt, mildew, grey wood fibres, and old loose finish. Fences grow a surprising amount of mould on the side that doesn't get sun. Power washing reveals the true condition of the wood and opens the grain for stain absorption.
4. Sanding and prep
Rough spots get sanded smooth. Splinters get knocked down. If there's old peeling finish, it gets stripped. The goal is clean, receptive wood that will absorb the new stain evenly.
5. Two coats of stain
We brush and back-brush every board. Two coats, both sides. Brushing forces the stain into the grain for maximum penetration. Spraying alone doesn't cut it on fences because the stain sits on the surface instead of soaking in.
We work in sections and maintain a wet edge to avoid lap marks. Fence staining is rhythmic, repetitive work. The trick is maintaining consistent coverage across hundreds of linear feet without rushing.
6. Cleanup
Drop cloths along the fence line to protect gardens and grass. Everything gets cleaned up and removed when we're done.
Best products for Toronto fences
After two decades of testing products on Toronto fences and seeing what survives our winters, here's what actually works.
For cedar fences: A penetrating oil-based or hybrid stain. Film-forming products trap moisture in cedar and cause peeling. We use products that soak into the wood and let it breathe. Brands that work well: Sansin, TWP (Total Wood Preservative), Ready Seal.
For pressure-treated fences: Solid colour stain from Benjamin Moore Arborcoat or Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck. Pressure-treated wood isn't pretty, so you want full coverage. These products are formulated for treated lumber and provide strong UV and moisture protection.
For previously painted fences: Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior or Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior in a satin finish. If the fence is already painted and the paint is holding up, repainting is more practical than converting to stain.
How long fence stain lasts in Toronto
Fences last longer than decks with the same product because they're vertical. Water doesn't pool on them, nobody walks on them, and snow slides off instead of sitting. But they still take a beating.
| Finish Type | Expected Life | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-transparent stain | 2-3 years | Fades on sun-exposed sections first |
| Solid colour stain | 3-5 years | Best balance of protection and maintenance |
| Fence paint | 3-5 years | Peels when it fails, harder to maintain |
South and west-facing fence sections fade 30-50% faster than north and east-facing sections. This is normal. Some homeowners touch up the sun-exposed side every 2-3 years and do the full fence every 4-5 years. Smart maintenance strategy.
Signs your fence needs refinishing
Grey, weathered wood. UV has broken down the surface. The wood is unprotected and absorbing moisture.
Splintering boards. Bare wood dries out and splinters. If you're getting splinters when you run your hand along the top of the fence, it's overdue.
Water soaks in immediately. Splash some water on the fence. If it soaks in instead of beading up, the finish has failed.
Mould or mildew growth. Green or black patches, especially on the shaded side. The finish is no longer repelling moisture.
Peeling paint or stain. Obvious one. Finish is failing and moisture is getting into the wood.
If you're seeing grey wood or failed water beading, don't wait. Every season you delay means more surface degradation, more prep work, and higher costs when you do get it done.
Other exterior services
If you're finishing the fence, it's a good time to tackle other outdoor wood:
- Deck Painting and Staining for your deck refinishing
- Porch Painting for porch floors, railings, and ceilings
- Wood Painting and Staining for trim, pergolas, and other wood elements
- Exterior Painting for the house itself
Bundling exterior services saves on setup and mobilization.
Get your free fence quote
Tell us about your fence: rough length, height, wood type, and current condition. Photos help. We'll give you an honest quote within 24 hours.
Call me directly at (416) 875-8706 or request your free quote. If I don't answer right away, I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fence staining in Toronto costs $3.00 to $8.00 per linear foot in 2026 depending on fence height, condition, and product. A standard 6-foot privacy fence runs $3.50 to $6.00 per linear foot for a two-coat stain application. A typical 100-foot backyard fence costs $500 to $1,200 for staining. Full refinishing with stripping and repairs costs $6.00 to $10.00+ per linear foot. Prices include power washing, prep, and two coats.
Stain for most Toronto fences. Paint looks clean initially but Toronto freeze-thaw cycles cause it to peel within 2 to 3 years on fence boards. Peeling fence paint is ugly and expensive to strip. Solid colour stain gives you the uniform look of paint but fades gracefully instead of peeling. Semi-transparent stain is ideal for newer cedar fences where you want to see the grain. Paint only makes sense on previously painted fences in good condition.
Semi-transparent fence stain lasts 2 to 3 years in Toronto. Solid colour stain lasts 3 to 5 years. Fence paint lasts 3 to 5 years but peels badly when it fails. Fence boards last longer than deck boards because they are vertical, meaning less water pooling, less foot traffic, and less snow accumulation. South and west-facing fence sections fade faster due to UV.
Late May through September. You need temperatures between 10C and 30C, low humidity, and 48 hours of dry weather before and after application. June and September are ideal. Avoid staining in direct sunlight because the stain dries too fast and absorbs unevenly. Morning applications on south-facing sections work best in summer.
New pressure-treated fence boards need 3 to 6 months of drying time before stain will absorb properly. If a fence was built in spring, it is usually ready for staining by late summer or the following spring. We test moisture content before starting. Cedar fences can be stained sooner, typically after 2 to 4 weeks of drying in warm weather.
We stain whatever you want. Most homeowners do both sides for full protection and a clean look from every angle. Some do only their side if the neighbour's side is inaccessible or if budget is tight. Staining both sides adds roughly 40 to 60 percent to the cost versus one side only. Both sides is the better choice for wood longevity since moisture protection works best when the wood is sealed on all surfaces.
Yes but the old paint needs to come off first. Stain cannot penetrate over a paint film. We strip the old paint with chemical strippers and power washing, sand the surface, and then apply stain. This adds significant cost to the project. If the existing paint is in decent shape, repainting over it is more practical and cheaper than converting to stain.