Fallen tree limbs and heavy snows have left many homeowners with gap-toothed fences and the job of repairing, replacing or repainting part or all of the structure. Fortunately, our tests show that doing the job right—including using the right paint or stain—can help you better weather the next storm.

To get started, take a walk along the fence line to survey the damage and determine if you can resurrect the fallen section or whether you have to replace the whole fence. To figure out how much fencing and other materials you’ll need, Lowe’s has an online calculator on its website that computes how much wood, wood composite, vinyl, chain link or metal fencing you’ll need. It’s up to you whether you want to do the work yourself or call in a pro.

If you’re painting a wooden fence, the paint you choose will either hide—or highlight—the condition of the surface. Flat finishes tend to hide imperfections while a semi-gloss finish highlights decorative details. Eggshell , also know as satin, is a compromise between the two.

With stains, you also have three choices. Solid (or opaque) stains form a protective film over the wood and last the longest. Semi-transparent stains penetrate the wood and show some of the wood grain, but usually don’t last as long as the best solids. Clear stains also penetrate the wood and show the most detail but typically need to be reapplied annually. Our latest tests of paints and stains, online and on newsstands in early May, show that some of the best overall performers are available at your local Lowe’s and Home Depot.

When you’re ready to paint, make sure you check the weather forecast and choose a time when the weather will be mild and dry for a few days. Not heeding the weather is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make. Choose a week when the temperatures are between 60 and 85 degrees and there’s little or no wind. Try not to paint in direct sunlight, and never paint in the rain.

Paints can take from a few hours to a few days to dry so make sure you check the label before applying the paint or stain to your fence. The Paint Quality Institute has an excellent primer on how to paint outdoors.

To learn more about how to choose paints and stains check our buying guides. There are some good choices in our current Ratings and we’ll be adding more in May.