The Products We Use
Pro-grade oil-based stains and sealers built for the West Texas climate. Here's exactly what we use on every fence and deck — and why.
Why Product Choice Matters
Most fence and deck staining failures in Lubbock can be traced to one of two things: poor surface prep, or a stain that wasn't formulated for this climate. The products that succeed in West Texas need three things — deep penetration, strong UV pigment loading, and the ability to flex with wood that swings through wide daily temperature ranges.
We've narrowed our entire process around two product lines because they consistently deliver on all three: Ready Seal and Wood Defender. Both are oil-based, both are widely-respected by professionals across the southern US, and both are formulated specifically for high-UV, low-humidity outdoor wood. You'll never see us use a generic big-box stain on a paid project.
Ready Seal
Ready Seal is the workhorse of professional fence staining. It's been around for decades and has a near-cult following among contractors because it's genuinely hard to apply badly. There's no primer required, no overlap concerns, and no lap marks if you let it self-level. It can be applied with a sprayer, brush, or roller — the result looks the same.
It's a true penetrating stain — it soaks into the wood rather than building a film on the surface. That means no peeling or flaking down the line, even after years of West Texas sun and freeze-thaw cycles.
When we recommend it
- Long fence runs where consistent appearance matters
- Brand-new cedar privacy fences wanting a natural finish
- Projects with a matte, low-gloss finish preference
Popular colors
Ready Seal offers a range of natural-wood tones — from light cedar and natural pine to mid-tone pecan and Mission Brown, to deeper Mahogany and Dark Walnut. We bring physical samples to every estimate so you can compare on your actual fence in your actual light.
Wood Defender
Wood Defender has built a strong reputation for one-coat coverage on dense or older wood. Where some stains need a second pass on weathered fences, Wood Defender often gets full saturation in a single application. It's also formulated with strong UV pigment loading, which translates to a real durability advantage on south- and west-facing fences and decks that take direct afternoon sun.
Wood Defender's color palette skews a bit deeper and richer than Ready Seal's — if a homeowner specifically wants a darker walnut or a saturated mahogany look, Wood Defender often delivers it more vividly.
When we recommend it
- Older or weathered fences needing maximum penetration
- Decks under heavy sun and foot traffic
- Projects where deeper, more saturated color is the priority
Popular colors
Wood Defender offers a wide color lineup including Cedar, Cumberland Brown, Cordovan Brown, and Black Walnut, along with deeper mahogany and red-toned options. We bring samples to every estimate so you can see the actual color on your wood before deciding.
How We Choose Between Them
Both products are excellent. They're not interchangeable — but on most projects either would deliver a great result. We pick based on three things: the wood's current condition, how much sun the surface gets, and the color depth the homeowner wants. We'll explain our recommendation at the estimate so you understand why we're suggesting one over the other.
If you have a strong preference for one product over the other, just tell us — we work with both routinely and can adjust the project plan accordingly.
See the Colors on Your Wood
We bring physical color samples to every estimate. Schedule a free quote and we'll help you compare options on your actual fence or deck.