How long should a fence last? A well-built and maintained fence should last for 15 to 20 years with proper care.
A wood fence split rail, or picket fence can add value to your home's beauty and security. A wood fence usually lasts approximately 15 years. However, with the proper maintenance, you can extend the life of your wood fence to 20 years or more.
It's Vinyl. Long story short: Vinyl is hands down the material that is going to give you the most bang for your buck in terms of longevity. Vinyl fences can last over 30 years if they are properly maintained.
As a property owner, it's best to plan to replace your wooden fence every 10 years or so. Whether you require maintenance service or repairs, you can count on All Counties Fence and Supply for professional services and affordable rates.
How Long Will a Wood Fence Last? The most rot-resistant tree species, including cedar and redwood, can last about 20 years. Spores that cause wood to rot do not infect wood unless the moisture content rises above 28%. When the moisture content of the wood drops below 22%, the fungus spores go dormant.
Wood Fences
Cedar may last for 15-30 years, spruce may last for 4-7 years and pine may last for 5-12 years. Treated wood, however, increases this longevity: pine and spruce may last for 20 years and cedar may last up to 40 years.
In five to eight years, the fence may start to lean, but it should last 10 to 15 years overall. To keep the wood from rotting, apply a wood preservative to seal it. "It's like wax on a car," Holt says. "It helps protect it from the elements, from water, from sprinklers."
Overall, the cheapest time to install a fence is during the off season. That means fall, winter, or (very) early spring.
If your garden has already been started, wait until fall or winter to install a fence around your backyard garden. There will be less competition for time, and the project will likely come in under budget.
Wood fence is one of the most popular types of fence and attractive to home buyers. If you're looking for a fence that will increase your home value and give a 50% return on investment, a wooden fence is a perfect option.
Wood Privacy Fence
As the most popular material for privacy fences, wood is suitable For every type of home and landscape. The preferred options for wood fencing include: Pressure treaded pine – also includes Spruce and Fir. Cedar.
Wooden Privacy Fences
Wood, for the most part, will be your cheapest option per foot when compared to vinyl and composite fencing.
Con: Requires Maintenance
While most fences are relatively low maintenance, they do require some attention. For example, a wood fence will need to be stained or sealed to protect from the elements, and a vinyl fence may need to be washed every few months to avoid stains.
Every couple of years or so, take some time to clean the dirt and debris off of your fence and apply another coat of sealer. More durable woods like yew or white oak may need resealing less frequently than other woods such as firs and pines. However, they will all need to be re-treated at some point.
Allow More Time for Wood to Season
One thing that makes fall or winter the best time of year to install a wooden fence is the time it takes for the new wood to season properly. If a new wooden fence is exposed to harsh summer days too quickly, all that direct sunlight can cause the wood to warp or even split.
The time commitment needed varies by fence type. Welded and woven wire, both sold in mesh rolls, should take a similar amount of time to install. For 100 feet of linear fence, this is typically about 15 hours of labor. For a two-person crew, that's a full day's worth of work.
You should look at repainting your fence with an extra coat annually, of course it can all depend on weather conditions, but once every couple of years should do enough to keep your fence looking as good as new, rather than leaving it for an extended period of time and it becoming worn and damaged.
Yes, winter installation can save both time and money. The installation process can be completed quicker with shorter waiting times and more available workers. Some fencing companies may also offer discounts during slower periods, and the cost of materials can be lower due to reduced demand.
And that's because winter is the best time of the year to install a fence. This sounds like a strange fact, but we promise it's factual. During the winter, your landscaping is pretty dormant. Shrubs and plants are less likely to be damaged by construction while installing a fence during the winter months.
So, how long to wait? A good rule of thumb is to wait a month or two if the fence is made with dry materials. This will allow it to weather enough but not too much. If the fence is made with pressure treated materials it may be 3-4 months for the posts to dry enough and can be checked with a moisture meter.
Between the posts, a fence should be a few inches above the ground. For yards that are relatively flat this isn't much of a problem. For yards with large changes in grade, there are a number of different ways to handle it.
There are options when it comes to sheltering your wooden fence from the soil: you can install gravel boards along the bottom, set your wooden posts in concrete, or use concrete posts from the outset.
Additionally, if landscaping mulch is allowed to build up against your fence, it can cause an excess of moisture. This will lead to the growth of mold and mildew or even cause rotting.