Wooden Privacy Fence
Fence Contractors

How to Maintain a Wooden Privacy Fence

A quality Wooden Privacy Fence can turn your backyard into a private outdoor retreat. It can also increase your home’s value.Wooden Privacy Fence

Choose a type of wood to complement your landscape and fit your budget. Wood fences offer numerous design and style options, such as picket, post-and-rail, lattice, louver, shadow box, and stockade.

A beautiful wood fence can instantly spruce up your home’s curb appeal. It’s not just a nice addition; it also increases your home’s value and makes it easier to sell when you decide to move.

If you’re thinking about adding a wooden privacy fence to your home, there are several things you need to consider before getting started. First, make sure to have your property lines drawn up. You can use your home’s plat or hire a land surveyor to do this. Then, you’ll know where the fence will be installed and whether or not it will interfere with buried utility lines. Next, it’s a good idea to get a permit from your local city or county. Depending on your location, you may need one for construction or just to protect your fence from zoning issues. Finally, you should call your local utility companies to see if there are any underground utility lines in the area before digging post holes (about 2 feet into the ground).

Wooden fences come in a variety of sizes, uses, and materials. They can be painted or stained to match your home’s aesthetic. They can be crafted in many styles, including classic white picket, lattice fences, and more modern horizontal panels. They can be used to create a perimeter around your entire yard or to enclose a specific section, like a garden plot or pool.

Some fences are designed for maximum privacy, while others are built to look aesthetically pleasing. For example, a stockade fence is made with tightly-fitted panels that are set close together for complete privacy. A shadow box fence has staggered boards that overlap by about one-third of their width, creating an alternating pattern of partial visibility and privacy between adjacent panels. Lattice can be added to these designs for a more decorative look.

Other types of wood fencing include a cap and trim, a t-post and rail design, and board-on-board fences. Whatever style you choose, a fence is a great way to add beauty and curb appeal to your home and is an investment that can pay off in the long run when it comes time to sell.

Privacy

A privacy fence offers the benefit of blocking outsiders from seeing into your yard and home. It can prevent neighbors from observing your activities, kids playing, and pets roaming your property. The tightly connected slats of wood fencing also absorb sound, which can be beneficial in quiet neighborhoods where noise is an issue. Moreover, a privacy fence blocks wind, which can be helpful in cold climates.

Wooden fences are a popular choice for privacy because of their sturdy construction and beautiful appearance. They are available in a variety of styles and can be stained or painted to match your home’s aesthetic. A wood fence can last 20 years or more, depending on how well it is maintained and the weather conditions where you live.

To qualify as a privacy fence, a wood fence must obstruct visibility from one side to the other and have few or no gaps. The height of a privacy fence is also a factor. A taller wooden fence is more effective than a shorter one. A taller fence can reduce visibility from a greater distance.

Other factors that affect the privacy of a wooden fence include the material used to construct it and any spacing between slats. A solid brick or aluminum fence is highly private, while a chain-link fence is not because it has large spaces between the infill panels.

The infill panel or boards of a privacy fence are the most visible part of the fence, which is why they require the most regular maintenance. A wooden fence must be regularly repainted or re-stained to keep it looking new. This is an ongoing chore and can become expensive if you have a large fence.

When building a privacy fence, you should always check with local utilities to make sure that you are not digging into any buried lines. Post holes for a wood fence must be dug at least 2 feet into the ground, which may require professional installation and equipment like a post hole digger or auger.

Durability

A wood privacy fence can last about 15 years, but the lifespan depends on the material used and how well it is maintained. Western red cedar is a popular choice for backyard fencing because it naturally resists rot and decay. It also doesn’t shrink and is impervious to moisture, which can damage other types of wood. Other common fencing materials include pine, which is often chemically treated for fence use. It can last for a while but will need to be replaced more frequently than other woods.

Whether you choose cedar, pine, or another type of wood for your fence, it’s important to regularly stain or paint it to keep it looking good and to protect the wood from rot and insects. A water-repellent preservative or sealant should be applied every two to four years. This helps limit the growth of mold, fungus, and warping and keeps the wood from becoming damaged by UV rays.

Other factors that can affect the longevity of a wood fence include how often it is cleaned, how often sprinklers are used, and whether shrubs and vines are allowed to grow near the fence. It’s a good idea to regularly inspect your wood fence and treat any insect infestations right away.

Wood fences are available in a variety of styles, including picket, louvered, board-on-board, shadow box, lattice, post-and-rail, and scalloped. They are also easy to customize by painting and staining them to match your home. Wooden fences are also simple to repair, and you can replace individual boards that have become warped or damaged rather than replacing the entire structure. This makes wooden fences one of the most affordable and versatile fencing options for homeowners.

Maintenance

Wooden fences are a great way to add privacy and enhance curb appeal, but they require regular maintenance to keep them looking good. The first step in preserving your fence is to clean it regularly using a soft brush or a power washer without adding harsh chemicals that can damage the surface of the wood. After washing, use a mildew remover to eliminate any spots of mold and mildew that remain. Similarly, you should check for rust and other signs of corrosion on metal components of the fence and use a rust remover to correct the problem.

Next, you should trim any plants that are growing too close to the fence. This prevents the plants from exerting pressure on the wall, which can cause it to rot or become damaged by pests or weather over time. It also helps to maintain adequate space between the plant growth and the fence, which reduces moisture accumulation and the risk of pests or insects damaging the walls.

A final part of the maintenance process is staining the wooden fence. Stains are available in a variety of colors, and many home improvement and hardware stores sell water-repellent preservatives or sealants that homeowners can apply to their fences to protect them from the elements. If your fence is made from pressure-treated wood, however, a stain or sealant may not be necessary because the wood has already been injected with preservatives.

When it comes to staining, you should choose oil stains instead of paint because the latter cannot withstand exposure to the sun, rain, and other harsh environmental conditions. Using a wood stain that includes a UV blocker will help to prevent the wood from bleaching, which will make it look faded and unattractive. It is recommended to re-stain your wooden fence every couple of years, although some people prefer to stain it less often or even wait longer to do so.

Fence Contractors
Fence Contractors

Home Picket Fence Boosts Curb Appeal

After centuries of accenting the American dream, there’s still something special about a home picket fence. Picket Fence Summerville is a popular choice to keep children and pets safe but can also add curb appeal. Before starting a fence project, call 811 to find out the location of any underground utility lines. Doing so helps avoid slamming a post into a line or damaging pipes.

Fence ContractorsA well-kept home and yard are part of curb appeal, but a beautiful fence can also boost the appeal. A picket fence is a classic American choice for accenting front yards and adding character to the house. It can also keep children and pets safe while letting passersby see the house from the street.

Many people paint their picket fence white, a look that’s easy to maintain with regular repainting and washing. However, it’s important to remember that a white fence can show dirt more readily than darker colors. A more subtle option is to use a fence color that matches the trim of your house, or choose a gray or brown stain.

While picket fences are typically made of wood and painted, today they are available in a wide range of materials. PVC vinyl is a popular alternative, which is almost maintenance-free and comes in a variety of styles to match your front-yard landscaping. Some of these fences can be prefabricated and shipped to your home for assembly. Aluminum and wrought iron are other decorative options that are often used for enhancing curb appeal.

The classic picket style has a point at the top and straight lines down the sides. But you can also experiment with other shapes to add interest and charm. For example, you might consider a square picket that alternates heights and has a more ornate look that would complement a Victorian-style house. Or you could use a functional spear shape that looks similar and has points that help shed excess rainwater.

A picket fence is typically a waist-high, open design that helps project an inviting feeling to passersby. The gaps between the fence boards allow sunlight to reach your lawn and showcase your well-manicured gardens, and the transparency of the wood or vinyl means that you can still see out onto your neighborhood.

It’s customary to build a shorter fence in the front yard for curb appeal and a taller one in the backyard for privacy. But don’t be afraid to dress up a simple metal or wooden fence by adding a ribbon, lace curtains or a colorful mural to the side. A few carefully placed plants can transform even the most ordinary picket fence into a showstopper.

Privacy

In addition to providing a decorative touch to your home, picket fences can also add privacy. This is because they are usually shorter than other fencing styles, and they offer a small gap between the individual pickets that allows you to see outside your yard.

The size of this gap is a personal preference, but most homeowners choose to keep it around 6 inches wide for maximum visibility and security. This size of gap is still sufficient to keep children and pets safe, and it will allow ample sunlight to reach your plants and garden.

When it comes to choosing the color of your fence, you have a variety of options. Popular picket fence colors include white, tan, and natural wood. These are all classic and timeless options, but you can also get creative with your choice by painting it. For example, one homeowner used a unique paint color called Navajo White by Benjamin Moore to create a striking effect.

Another popular option is to choose a custom fence design. These fences can be curved or arched, and they can feature patterns or other design elements that will help you achieve the perfect look for your yard. These types of fences can be more expensive than other options, but they are well worth the investment because they will enhance the beauty of your home and increase its value.

A wood fence offers a traditional, rustic charm that works well with many different homes. It’s also durable and provides a high level of privacy. You can choose from a number of different wood types, including pine, cedar, and Douglas fir. According to HomeAdvisor, a wood fence will cost you between $15 and $20 per foot between materials and installation.

One of the most popular choices for a wood fence is a board-on-board style. This type of fence uses alternating pickets on both sides with a gap in between, creating a distinct shadow effect. This type of fence offers complete privacy when viewed from straight on, but it can be seen through at an angle.

Security

Many people use fences to protect their homes, which can help bring an increased sense of security inside the home. This can also provide a more peaceful and safe environment for children and pets to play, sleep and grow. Adding a fence may even qualify a homeowner for insurance discounts, depending on the type of fencing and its height.

Many options are available for home picket fences, including wood and man-made materials like vinyl or cellular PVC. The best choice for your home will depend on your security needs and your aesthetic preferences. If you want a fence that blends in with the exterior of your home, try choosing one made from a material that matches the color and style of the house, such as vinyl or aluminum. This way, it will be hard to spot from a distance.

Another option is wrought iron, which is durable and will not warp or break easily. It can also be forged into designs that complement your home, such as curves and latticework. Some wrought iron fences feature spikes, spear tops or razor wire along the top to deter burglars who might attempt to climb over or ram the fence. Some of these fences can also be reinforced with concrete to add extra strength and protection.

A fence should be tall enough to keep out intruders but not so high that it blocks the view of your windows and doors. Burglars will look for ways to get around a fence, so you need to be sure that it will be difficult to climb over. Fences that feature a series of vertical slats, such as steel palisade fencing, can be a good choice. These can be welded together, making them very tough for anyone to scale and block the view of your house.

Other types of home picket fences include chain link and board on board fencing, which can be more utilitarian in appearance but offer high durability through the use of interlocking steel wires. If you are concerned about your children or pet’s safety, consider installing a gate that can be locked securely with a padlock. Many fence companies can help you choose a lock that will meet your specific requirements.

Maintenance

A wood picket fence frames a yard, provides privacy and helps keep children and pets safe. However, like any home improvement project, it requires regular care to maintain its appearance and functionality.

Wooden fences require periodic cleaning to remove dirt, mold, mildew and moss. The fence should also be sanded, and any cracking or damage should be repaired and repainted. The surface should be coated with a water repellant wood preservative that is also resistant to UV rays. Depending on the climate, this can be a natural oil stain or a chemical-based sealant.

Whenever you clean your fence, use a pressure washer to ensure the wood is completely free of debris and grime. Aim for a distance of about 3 feet from the fence while using the hose, as overly close pressure can splinter the wood. You can also try an alternative to the pressure washer and spray a solution of 20% bleach and 80% mild detergent on the fence. This will kill any mold spores and help prevent them from growing back.

As part of the maintenance process, homeowners should make sure that plants, leaf piles, yard decorations and other items aren’t piled up against the fence, as this can interfere with airflow and promote the growth of damaging mildew and mold. Sprinklers should be kept away from the fence as well, as they can quickly wet the wood and cause it to rot faster than it should.

If your fence is made of pressure-treated wood, you may not need to apply any kind of protective treatment as it will already be infused with the needed preservatives. But if it’s untreated, an exterior wood stain that is both water and UV-resistant should be applied every other year.

While traditionally, wood has been the go-to material for picket fences, they can also be made of vinyl. These fences are more expensive upfront, but they’re also known to last longer than wood and won’t rot. They’re also more environmentally friendly, since they don’t require as much maintenance and chemicals as wooden fencing. It’s important to do your research before choosing the right type of fence for you and your family.