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Site-Stained vs. Pre-Stained Lumber: What Contractors Need to Know
When it comes to building a fence or deck, contractors know that choosing the right lumber is critical. However, beyond wood type there is another decision that can dramatically affect your timeline, budget, and final results. Are you using site-stained or pre-stained, factory-finished wood?
Gopher Wood is passionate about helping builders work smarter, not harder, while delivering a premium product. Here is what every contractor should know about the differences and why pre-stained lumber, like Gopher Wood, just makes sense.
Site-Stained Lumber
Site-staining lumber has been around for years as the go-to approach for wood stain. Boards are installed raw and then stained on-site, often needing multiple coats, solid weather conditions, and extra labor hours.
While this approach may be the traditional method, it brings a ton of hidden challenges:
Weather Delays
Stain needs specific conditions to cure properly—the process where stain fully dries and hardens, bonding with the wood fibers to create a protective and durable surface. These conditions are typically between 50–90°F, low humidity, and no rain forecast for at least 24–48 hours.
If it's too hot, stains can flash dry, preventing proper penetration into the wood fibers. And if it rains before the stain has cured, water can wash it off, leading to streaking, blotching, and loss of protection.
When staining a fence on-site, the wood’s surface may already be exposed to direct sunlight, rain, or dirt before the stain is even applied. Over time, unprotected wood begins to degrade—cracking, warping, and drying out.
Inconsistent Coverage
Besides weather interference, when fences are upright and already installed, it is much harder to reach edges, bottom rails, and tight corners. Crews are also often in a rush to finish quickly, leading to human error—this can result in drips, runs, or patchy areas. Lastly, overspray or uneven brush pressure can cause blotchy finishes.
These potential drawbacks increase the chances of callbacks or costly touchups, damaging your reputation and bottom line.
Extra Labor Costs
Despite the risk of callbacks, site staining can add extra days on the job to prep, stain, and wait for drying. You may even need a specialized stain crew or add additional training for install teams. Not to mention all the potential delays in moving on to your next project.
The bottom line—you pay more in labor, and crew capacity is tied up longer than necessary.
Mess & Cleanup
Post-job cleanup not only eats into valuable time and often isn't fully billable, but on-site staining requires tarps, plastic sheeting, and careful masking to protect landscaping, walkways, and nearby structures. Overspray or drips can damage plants, concrete, or neighboring properties. It's more than just a minor hassle—it's a pain.
Pre-Stained Lumber
Pre-stained, factory-finished lumber arrives on-site fully stained, cured, and ready to install. At Gopher Wood, every board is finished on all six sides using EXPERT Stain & Seal products in a controlled environment so you get consistent, professional-grade results every time.
Why Gopher Wood?
Gopher Wood takes pre-stained lumber to the next level. Here's why contractors across the industry trust us:
Premium Western Red and Japanese Cedar
Both Western Red and Japanese Cedar contain natural oils and extractives that make them highly resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage. They hold their shape, meaning fewer issues with warping, cracking, and splitting over time.
Lastly, cedar offers a rich grain and warm color that instantly elevates any outdoor space. Its ability to age to a silver gray (if left untreated) is also a selling point for many homeowners.
EXPERT Stain & Seal
EXPERT Stain & Seal ultra-low VOC (volatile organic compounds) means fewer harmful emissions, which is safer for crews, homeowners, and surrounding plants or pets. It also creates a beautiful rich color by penetrating deeply into cedar, enhancing the natural grain without masking it.
Lastly, it protects against UV rays, moisture, and mildew, preserving that “just-finished” look for a long-lasting defense.
Finished on All Six Sides
Site staining often skips or misses end grains and edges, which are the most vulnerable entry points for water and insects. Sealing every side stops moisture intrusion and reduces the chance of swelling, shrinking, and premature rot.
Stain on all six sides ensures that the entire board is uniformly protected before it's ever exposed to sun, rain, or soil.
Factory Precision
Gopher Wood boards are stained in an indoor, temperature-controlled environment with no unpredictable weather or jobsite errors. Every board is uniformly stained, cured, and inspected so that contractors and homeowners get flawless, professional-grade results—strengthening trust and driving referrals.
It Just Makes Sense
When you add all these elements together, you get a product that delivers unmatched performance and curb appeal. It’s the reason Gopher Wood isn't just another lumber supplier—it’s a partner in helping you build faster, better, and smarter.
At the end of a very long workday, you want to deliver a quality product that looks great, lasts longer, and doesn't eat at your schedule. With Gopher Wood’s factory-finished cedar, you can skip several time-consuming onsite headaches and deliver next-level finishes your clients will love.