Wood fences simply cannot last forever, though we wish they “wood” (pun intended). There will come a time in the life of your wood fence when you will need to ask yourself this: should we continue repairing our wood fence or have it fully replaced? Hopefully, the guidance we have gathered for you below will help you make that decision.
Signs that your wooden fence needs to be replaced are some of the following.
You may need to consider fully replacing your wood fence if…
- A quarter or more of the boards and posts need replacing. At this point it may be worth it to go ahead and replace the whole thing. The fence will be needing repairs at such a rate at this time in its life that it would be worth your time, money, and effort to fully replace. Put all worry and effort into it now so that you can enjoy a stress-free new fence for years to come.
- Your annual maintenance costs are high and would quickly add up to a full replacement cost after just a few years. This goes along with the first point. Your Frederick Fence Co salesman would know best. If you are not sure whether it would be worth it to patch and repair or fully replace, ask your salesman what the cost difference would be. They will let you know the difference so you can decide what’s best for your pocketbook in the long run.
- The fence has a consistent lean along more than a few sections. This is a good indicator that posts have begun to rot within the ground. Once this starts happening it is definitely time for replacement. Structurally, the fence is unsafe for anyone spending time near it, including children and animals.
- You are having a hard time keeping animals in. Is your dog able to break its way through parts of the fence? Are your smaller animals always finding new holes to escape through? This is a good indicator that the fence is decrepit, rotting, and needs to be replaced with a fence you can fully rely on to keep your animal safe and secure. Ask your salesman about the best dog fence options for the breed you have.
Non-Wood Materials to Consider
IF it is time for a full replacement and you would rather not deal with this question in the future you might want to consider the following materials for your new fence instead of the standard pressure treated pine.
Vinyl- If you are tired of the maintenance that you sign up for when you purchase a wood fence, consider vinyl. Vinyl is long lasting, sturdy, and remains just about the same color all its life. Anything you can do with wood; you can do with vinyl. You can even replicate the look of wood with vinyl!
Cedar– If you still desire to have real wood, but still want a longer lasting fence, the next best option is cedar. It is still more expensive than pine but will last a few times as long. The naturally treated characteristics of cedar make it the best option for fencing out there. You can learn more about cedar in a recent blog!
Aluminum- You cannot be as creative with your design when you choose aluminum, but if you are looking for a picket fence anyway, you should consider this material! Aluminum is very long lasting and is a great choice for dog fencing or security purposes.
If you maybe have an idea of how you need to move forward with your current wood fence, give us a call! 301-663-4000.
Written by Laura Braden
