Creating a classic boundary in your property is fairly easy and wooden fences are often the material of choice for most property owners. Aside from making your property beautiful, fences can also help keep your property safe by warding off potential intruders.
Although wood is a very good material for fencing, there is something you need to take note of: it can be highly susceptible to damages caused by extreme changes in weather conditions. If you want your wooden fences to last a long time, here are some of the strategies that will help to protect them against corrosion.
Choose only high quality and durable wooden fences.
Keeping your wooden fences in tiptop shape is fairly easy if you start in the best possible way: choosing the right materials. If you want your wooden fences to withstand rotting or decay, you may want to choose redwood or cedar.
If you are using a specialist to install your fencing, make sure that they use fencing that is pressure-treated as it is resistant to bugs, water damage, wet rotting and dry rotting.
When it comes to installing your wooden fences, getting the right posts that will hold them together is important. Fencing will only last a long time if the materials used in its structure are durable and high-quality.
When installing wooden fences, you need to follow local fencing regulations. The regulations may include the types of materials and the height limit that you are allowed. To find out more take a look here.
To prevent early decay or damage, wooden fences should not be mounted directly into the soil. Soil contains moisture and moisture will make your wooden fences susceptible to decay. Aside from that, soil can move around due to irrigation or erosion. If you need to dig the soil to mount your wooden posts, fill the holes with concrete first.
After mounting your wooden fences, it is advisable to stain or seal it to prolong its life. As you already know, moisture can damage the wood. Seal and stains can protect it from harmful weather elements by keeping moisture out or repelling water from your fences. Some property owners even combine exterior stain with a sealant to protect the woodlands. Depending on the weather conditions of your area, it is advisable to seal or stain your wooden fences every 2 or 3 years.
You make sure that after the stain is applied, you can let it dry for at least 24 hours before the second coat is applied. Repeat the same procedure before applying the third coat. In this way, you can ensure the longevity of your wooden fences.
Protect your fence from harmful elements.
A lot of property owners plant flowers or bushes along their wooden fences to make their property beautiful. Although plants can make your property very appealing, it may introduce moisture into your wooden panels. It is best to trim your plants to keep them from rotting your wooden fences.
In some cases, putting a plastic tarp over your plants near the fence can prevent any damage from occurring. The plastic tarp will serve as a barrier from moisture. Keep your water sprinklers away from your fences as well. Although it keeps your lawn looking vibrant, the constant water will make your fences vulnerable to water damage.
Every now and then, you need to visually inspect your wooden fences for any signs of damage. Create a schedule and walk around your property. Be vigilant in finding any spots or unusual marks on your fences. Take a closer look at areas that come in contact with the soil or near the nails.
Whenever possible, it is advisable to inspect your fences regularly. If you find any signs of damage, make sure to have it treated or repaired as soon as you can to prevent further deterioration. For instance, small cracks and breaks can make your fences prone to rotting as they let rainwater inside the wood. If your paint or stain starts to crack, you need to reseal or repaint it as soon as you can. If damages are too great or the repairs are not done in time, you might need to replace them.
Some property owners want to decorate their fences. It is best to use lightweight decorations that cannot trap water. Heavy decorations can eventually put a strain on your fences and make it prone to damage.
Keep it free from any kind of debris as well. For instance, leaves that are stuck between the panels may cause moisture to build up and eventually cause decay.
A well-protected wooden fence made of high-quality wood may last for about 5 to 10 years. With this in mind, if you are looking for a reliable supplier of timber for your fencing needs or other projects at home or work, get in touch with Enterprise Works on 07392 109856 or enterpriseworks2@swindon.gov.uk today. They have a huge supply of timber products from fencing to plywoods, decking, sleepers and many other landscaping and building materials.
