It might not seem like a difficult decision, but finding the right fence can be hard to do. In addition to choosing a picket style, a color, and a height, you might also be concerned about abiding by city and neighborhood ordinances. However, all of these decisions are easy if you choose the right fence contractor. A few years ago, I found a great contractor who helped us to create a beautiful, functional backyard in a few weeks. Read this blog for more information about fences, contractors, and design styles that you won't regret a few years down the road.
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When it comes to selecting the perfect fencing material for your property, the choices can feel overwhelm
Are you in need of a new fence installation for your home? A wood fence is a popular, classic choice for
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Do you want a wooden fence that offers some privacy without being entirely solid? This is actually quite
If you've always liked the look of wood fencing but you worry about wood's vulnerability to weather and rotting, you need to know how to protect it from the elements. Here are a few tips that will help you to prepare and care for the wood on your fence to prevent damage and get the longest possible lifespan from your investment.
Start With Dry Wood
The best protection starts before you even put the fence up. Make sure that your wood is as dry as possible. If you've just purchased the wood, let it sit in a dry area for a couple of weeks to ensure that it's as dry as possible. If you're working with wood that's already been dried, you can skip this step, but it's an important one for fresh wood. It's important that the wood is dry in order for it to soak up the protective sealant that you'll need to put on it to preserve it.
Pre-Treat The Posts For Added Protection
Your fence posts are the most vulnerable to rotting and moisture damage because they're installed below ground level. The moisture in the soil can penetrate the wood over time, and those portions of the posts are often the first to suffer damage. Mark the posts at the depth where they will be below ground level, then coat each side and the bottoms of the posts with an even layer of a wood preservative. Repeat this process until that portion of the wood stops absorbing the preservative. Choose one that doesn't have any toxins or heavy metals, though. That way, you don't risk leaching anything into the groundwater.
Cut The Post Tops To Encourage Runoff
Before you assemble the fence, cut the tops of each post so that the post tops are angled. That encourages water to run off the top of the posts. Otherwise, water can sit on the flat surface of the post top, soaking in and potentially encouraging the wood to rot early.
Add A Barrier To The Post Holes
When you dig the post holes, fill the bottom with a couple of inches of gravel to help form a barrier between the bottom of the post and the soil. Then, once you've placed the post in the hole, fill the hole with gravel around the post to do the same along each side. This reduces the moisture exposure of the wood.
Protect The Remaining Wood
Once the fence is fully assembled, coat the exposed wood with a sealant and weatherization product. Apply as many coats as necessary until the wood stops absorbing it. Then, make a point to keep your fence clean. You may need to reapply the sealant every few years. The more effort you put into its care and protection, the longer the wood will remain intact and stable.
To learn more, contact a fencing company like Canyon Fence Co.
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