The advantages of building a wood fence
With so many options today for fencing materials, many homeowners and business owners are looking beyond the common wood fence for yards, outdoor kitchens, restaurant patios and perimeter marking. While choices of styles, colors and materials are beneficial when it comes to fulfilling fencing needs, wood fences still have many advantages. Find answers to common questions and misconceptions below.
Don’t wood fences need constant maintenance to keep them looking good?
Wood fences do need regular maintenance to protect the wood from the weather, but proper construction and a reasonable amount of attention is usually enough to keep your fence sound. Use a reputable builder for your installation, or if you are installing your fence, follow instructions for positioning, post hole digging and rust resistance materials. Keep a well-manicured yard and stain your fence with a good quality waterproof stain every couple of years, and you should get many years of enjoyment from your wood fence. Plus, you have the ability to change and update the color simply by choosing a new shade of stain.
Do wood fences attract termites and carpenter ants?
Any wood structure may be vulnerable to termites, carpenter ants and other wood-loving pests. By using treated lumber for construction of fences, decks and swing sets, you can at least assure that your wood structures are termite resistant. Choose your fence designer and builder carefully. Cedar lumber is often a favored choice for fences because the resin it naturally contains repels termites. Keep in mind that any wood is going to break down as it is exposed to the elements, making it vulnerable to infestation, so keeping your wood structures sealed and in good repair will protect all the wood in and around your home.
Do I need a professional to install the newer wood fence designs?
Wood fences are a simple installation for the handy do-it-yourselfer. Even creative designs, such as board-on-board, stockade, live edge, picket and split rail, involve simple construction using tools and materials that you probably have in your home. Work with a reputable fence designer and builder to plan your fence and arrange for the materials you need. With pre-cut materials and instructions, you should be able to install your own wood fence.
The soil in my yard is very wet. Will my wood fence posts sink or rot?
In some cases, soft or very wet soil can lead to sinking of fence posts and warping and rotting of the fence boards. This does not have to eliminate a wood fence as an option for you. A reputable fence builder can show you how a concrete base installed below the fence line can prevent your fence from sinking or warping.
My home owner’s association will not allow fences in our neighborhood.
Many upscale neighborhoods today have home owners’ associations that enforce strict guidelines as to what structures may be built on and around the home owners’ property. Because of the natural look and feel of a wood fence, such associations will sometimes give approval for wood over vinyl, aluminum and chain link, depending on the purpose and style of the fence.