Can fences be installed in the winter?

Unless there is an active storm occurring, or a large amount of snow on the ground, Frederick Fence Company will be out installing fences for our customers throughout the winter. That said, there are some aspects about the weather that make installing fences a bit more challenging. You can learn more about that below. . .

Crew Comfort

Installing fences in the winter can be hard on crew members. We prioritize keeping our trucks in good working order. They are serviced regularly by our very own mechanic in our shop. The trucks are relied upon to provide comfort for our crews to, from, and even during fence projects. Frederick Fence also provides some clothing items to crew members to help with comfort and safety in the cold weather climate. This comes in the form of heavy canvas coats, hoodies, and plenty of long-sleeved shirts.

Digging

Digging holes requires extra care and effort during the colder months. Crews must ensure they dig well below the freeze line in order to achieve a good set on posts. Typically, the freeze line in our area does not dip below 4-6 inches, but we do sometimes experience longer cold spells (below 20 degrees) that cause the freeze line to deepen. Real issues with digging come when the temps are near zero, which doesn’t often occur around the Maryland area.

Concrete

Wet pour concrete used on all non-wood fence posts normally sets enough to allow the completion of the rest of the fence within a day. Although it is not a problem until near zero-degree temps, there are a few tricks we often use to help concrete set in very cold and windy weather.  The addition of some calcium to the concrete mix creates heat, allowing the mix to set more rapidly. On top of that (literally), crews add and tamp a significant layer of dirt over the concreted portion. This acts as a layer of insulation to keep the concrete warm, as well as a source of stability for the post while the concrete sets completely.

Miss Utility

As the law requires, we have Miss Utility place markings on every public utility line on every property before starting digging. When installing a fence in the winter, this can be difficult when there is snow on the ground. Sometimes the markings melt away by the time the work starts. Or maybe it snows in between and covers the markings. We must take each case by case and do what we can to make sure we have clear marks during installation. This might look like taking photos of the markings when they are fresh, or having Miss Utility mark multiple times before a project begins.

high winds

Wind that often accompanies cold winter weather makes some styles of fencing difficult to install.  Working in winds alone requires extra stain and effort in order to place boards and pickets precisely where they need to go. Vinyl privacy fences are especially susceptible to issues in windy conditions. Wet pour concrete used for vinyl fences does not set enough to withstand high winds for at least a few days. During that time, vinyl privacy sections can be pushed into more of a leaning position instead of remaining perfectly straight. We may put off your vinyl privacy fence installation if the weather is not agreeable for it.

Ready for your fence this Winter?

Call or request a quote today and enjoy the competitive pricing and shorter lead times that the winter season typically offers. We look forward to providing you quality fencing solutions.

301-663-4000

 

Written by Laura Braden, researcher and Fence Co. employee.

Information courtesy of Todd Powers, Fence Co. Vice President, 20 years of experience in the fencing industry.