A wood fence is a beautiful addition to your property. A wood fence is also a major investment.
Protecting your investment requires performing some maintenance. If you make fence upkeep a priority, you can keep a wood fence in great condition for years to come.
Pros and Cons of a Wood Fence
A wood fence isn’t your only option when considering what type of fencing to install on your property. Reasons you may consider installing a wood fence include:
- Aesthetics: Many who opt to install wood fences on their properties do so at least in part because wood is an attractive fencing material. It’s also quite versatile. Several styles of wood fence are available.
- Affordability: Wood is sometimes a more cost-effective material than other fencing options. A wood fence’s lower cost is primarily due to the fact that installing a wood fence is often easier than installing other types of fencing. However, you should never settle for the wrong fence for your property merely to save money. Discuss this matter with fencing installation professionals to determine what fence material is right for your needs and budget.
- Privacy: Other types of fences may have open spaces through which neighbors can view your property. If your goal is to install a fence that offers privacy, a wood fence may be the best option.
That’s not to say a wood fence is right for everyone. Reasons you might not consider installing a wood fence include:
- Shorter lifespan: A wood fence may last for decades. However, its condition may deteriorate faster than that of other fences. In addition, wood fences may require more intensive maintenance.
- Unpredictability: A wood fence is a reliable option if you stay on top of upkeep. That said, it’s worth noting that weather and climate conditions can damage a wood fence. Predicting how they will do so may be a challenge.
Some of the potential drawbacks of a wood fence may be less likely to cause problems if you stick to a maintenance plan. Consider how willing and able you’ll be to do so when deciding whether to install a wood fence on your property.
Wood Fence Maintenance: Important Information
Maintaining a wood fence may be slightly more labor-intensive than maintaining other types of fences. However, wood fence maintenance doesn’t need to be excessively demanding or time-consuming.
Proper wood fence maintenance involves:
- Keeping the fence dry: You may not be able to protect your fence from rain. Still, you can protect it from sprinklers, garden hoses, and other such items you may use near it. Try to avoid getting the fence wet when using these items.
- Cleaning the fence: The proper way to clean a wood fence can vary depending on several factors. Pressure-washing a fence is an option when fencing is particularly durable. Ask the fence installation professionals how you should keep yours clean.
- Keeping vegetation away: Too much direct contact with vegetation isn’t ideal for a wood fence. Vegetation can transfer moisture to a fence. Some vegetation may stain wood. When vegetation grows too close to a fence, it may even exert pressure, potentially damaging the fence over time. Guard against this by regularly trimming vegetation near the fence.
Inspect your fence at least once a month. The sooner you spot signs of damage, the sooner you can prevent minor issues from becoming more significant problems.
Speak With Fence Installation Professionals
Knowing how to maintain your wood fence is key to protecting your investment. Always feel welcome to ask the team installing your fence for wood fence maintenance tips. You’ll have a better chance of optimizing your fence’s lifespan if you listen to professional advice!
Contact Wood Fence Installers in Maryland Today
At Anderson Fence Company, offering wood fence installation services throughout Maryland, we’re happy to offer our customers advice on maintaining their fences. Find out more about our services by contacting us online today. Estimates are always free!
