Preparing for Winter 2019

Batten down the hatches! Winter is coming!

The winter months can be tough on fences in this area. If you have aluminum or vinyl fencing you are in good shape to last through years and years of bad winters, however wood fences might need some care and maintenance in order to withstand this coming season. Read on to learn more about your specific fence material and what you can expect from it this coming winter.

Aluminum

Our aluminum fences are designed and built to last through thick and thin for decades. They are coated with a protective powder coating that gives them a strength that rivals that of wrought iron, but they are so much lighter, which makes them much less expensive and much easier to handle.  Did you know that your Frederick Fence aluminum is also resilient to rot and rust? The fence itself will not even waver in any amount of moisture. All these attributes make aluminum a top choice in winter-proof fencing. Any maintenance you might have to do would be purely aesthetic and to your own personal preferences.

Vinyl 

Your vinyl fencing will stand up right alongside aluminum in the bad weather months. Moisture, freezing temperatures, and snow won’t be a bother to vinyl. You may notice more of a color change due to the mold that can grow or the grass clippings that have been flying onto it all summer long. Just know that it is only lying on the surface and does not affect the integrity of the fence itself. Give it a nice clean using one of our suggested methods (see blog: How to Clean Your Vinyl Fence) and you’re good to go! Vinyl is meant to be enjoyed for many years, and Frederick Fence Co. will see to it that you do just that.

Wood

Here is where it gets a little tricky, and that’s okay! Wood is a wonderful, natural material with a look that cannot be justly replicated with any other material. With the “natural-ness” of it comes the need for periodic maintenance. Here are some tips to help your fence last many winter seasons.

  • Remove dirt and debris. Built up pinecones, leaves, and pine needles can become wet and cause the wood to rot, which will become an even worse problem during the especially wet and cold winter months. Keeping your fence line cleared should be done whenever necessary before it can start to become a problem.
  • Trim surrounding trees and shrubs. This is one you may not have thought of, but wood fencing relies heavily on sunlight for drying out. If the fence cannot dry periodically, it can begin to grow mold or start rotting. Also, low hanging limbs can sag or fall and damage the fence when heavy snows hit.
  • Consider painting or staining. We say this very cautiously at Frederick Fence. Wait at least six months after installation to paint or stain your pressure treated fence, because it can do the opposite of what you want and rot the fence quickly and irreversibly. There are a few other precautions to consider before painting or staining as well: Only paint or stain a clean fence, let it dry completely beforehand, sand beforehand, use a primer, and consider hiring a professional paint company to do all of the above mentioned. If done correctly, you will end up with a beautiful and lasting wood fence.
  • Do a hardware inspection. Go ahead and walk your wood fence line on a day when it has had the chance to dry and look for all the above as well as loose boards that might be done in by a moderate snow fall. If there are any issues that require more than a simple hammer and nail fix, give us a call! We can get someone out there to do repair work and make sure you are winter ready.

 

Winter can be such a difficult time of year because of the cold and the snow, but it doesn’t have to be hard on your fencing. With the right amount of prep work your wood fence will be ready to weather this coming season! And those of you with durable fence materials like vinyl or aluminum, you can sit back and relax. We have already done the work for you in the fabrication of the fence building material.

Happy winter!