What's the price to stain both sides of a six-foot privacy fence in a Calgary backyard?

Staining both sides of a six-foot privacy fence in Calgary typically costs $4.00-6.00 per linear foot, or $2,400-3,600 for a standard 150-linear-foot backyard perimeter. This includes power washing, minor repairs, and two coats of penetrating stain on both sides of the fence.

The total cost depends heavily on your fence's current condition and the type of stain you choose. Calgary's extreme dry climate and chinook winds are particularly hard on wood fences, causing rapid moisture loss, splitting, and stain failure. If your fence hasn't been stained in 3-4 years, expect additional prep work including board replacement, nail tightening, and extensive cleaning to remove grey weathering and mildew. This prep work can add $1.00-2.00 per linear foot to the project cost.

Penetrating oil-based stains perform best in Calgary's conditions because they soak into the dry wood rather than forming a surface film that can peel. Popular choices include Cabot Australian Timber Oil ($45-55 per gallon), Sikkens Cetol SRD ($60-70 per gallon), and Benjamin Moore Arborcoat ($50-60 per gallon). These products resist UV damage better than cheaper alternatives and typically last 3-4 years on both sides of the fence versus 2-3 years for builder-grade stains. You'll need approximately 1 gallon per 100-150 linear feet for both sides, depending on wood porosity.

Professional contractors in Calgary charge $35-45 per hour for fence staining, and a typical 150-foot fence takes 12-16 hours including prep and two coats. Many contractors use airless sprayers for efficiency, which provides better penetration into Calgary's dry wood but requires careful masking of adjacent surfaces. The spraying process is significantly faster than brush application but demands more skill to avoid overspray on neighbouring properties, landscaping, and house siding.

DIY fence staining is manageable for most homeowners if you have the time and equipment. Rent a pressure washer ($40-60 per day) to clean the fence first, allow 2-3 days drying time in Calgary's dry climate, then apply stain with a pump sprayer, brush, or roller. The key challenge is reaching both sides efficiently — you'll likely need to coordinate with neighbours for access to their side of shared fencing. Budget $300-600 for materials including stain, brushes/sprayers, and drop cloths for a typical backyard fence.

Consider hiring a professional if your fence requires significant repairs, if you're dealing with a shared fence line requiring neighbour coordination, or if you want the efficiency of spray application. Professional contractors carry liability insurance for overspray issues and can complete the project in 2-3 days versus 2-3 weekends for most homeowners. They also have experience working around Calgary's unpredictable weather — knowing when conditions are right for staining and when to wait for better humidity levels.

If you're looking for fence staining contractors in Calgary, the Calgary Construction Network directory can help you compare local professionals and read reviews from other homeowners in your area.

---

Looking for experienced contractors? The Calgary Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Upper Cut Landscaping LTD
• Mr & Mrs Paintastic Inc
• Besademolition
• Element Painting Inc.
• Amar Homes Inc