If you’ve got a wooden fence circling your property, you know how quaint and natural they can look. To keep your fence looking as good as the day you installed it, you need to provide regular maintenance. This may involve simple staining or painting every year or two on your own, or it may require the assistance of affordable fence companies to keep it looking its best.
Perils of Wood
Wood is a versatile, natural material that lends a certain rustic appearance to your home, cabin or beach cottage. But over time, wood tends to rot and succumb to bug infestation and moisture. That’s where maintenance comes in. Today’s newer wood varieties of cedar or redwood or more resistant to rot and decay than other types of wood, says HGTV. It’s important to invest in pressure treated wood, particularly for posts, because they provide the structural support for the whole fence and are installed in the ground where water and insects like to congregate. Pickets and planks don’t need to be pressure treated as they are not installed in the ground. As the wood dries, it can split, crack and warp, with leaning occurring between five and eight years into its life span.
Preventive Maintenance
If you take good care of your wooden fence, it can last up to 15 years. This involves applying a wood preservative, available at the home improvement store to seal in the wood’s inherent qualities and guard against rotting. This will protect your fence against wear and tear, weather, sprinklers, rain, snow, heat and more. Pick up some water-repellent preservatives and sealants at the store and put these on your fence every couple of years or whenever it’s needed. FYI, you won’t need to apply sealant to any wood that’s already been pressure treated. For aesthetics, you can add a stain to your fence, which acts as a protectant plus provides a visually appealing way to match the structure with your home. Keep vines and bushes away from your fence, as these grow quickly and can push against the structure. Avoid placing sprinklers nearby, as moisture is a death knell for wooden fences, leading to rot.
Washing
Some types of wood, such as cedar, are strong, hardy varieties that withstand a lot of abuse. For these types of fences, you can pressure wash them to get rid of staining, mildew, mold, peeling paint and insect droppings, says SF Gate. Over the years, your wooden fence can turn an unattractive shade of dull gray. Pressure washing removes all the buildup, making a clean palette for you to apply a bright red stain or other color that will match the house. You can even leave it as is, because the natural red tones of the cedar will shine through once again. If staining, it’s best to use an exterior semitransparent oil stain, which helps to seal the wood while highlighting the grain and color variations, suggests the Family Handyman. These should realistically last between two and five years, depending on your maintenance schedule and the climate in your area.
Care for your wooden fence properly and you will avoid costly repairs down the road.
This article was contributed on behalf of Lone Star Fence & Construction, your number one choice when looking for anything related to fences! Check out their website at www.lonestarfenceco.com for more information!
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