Choosing fence materials, colors and designs are just a part of finding the perfect fence to suit your security and aesthetic requirements. Two of the most important factors during your search for your perfect fence should be durability and longevity.
Although the style of your home, climate of your area and purpose of the fence play a large role in selecting the right fence material, it&#;s best to understand what differentiates one fence material from another so you can pick the highest quality fence for your needs.
The most commonly used wood types for fences are spruce, cedar and pine, so the longevity of your fence naturally depends on the type of wood it&#;s made from. Cedar may last for 15-30 years, spruce may last for 4-7 years and pine may last for 5-12 years.
Treated wood, however, increases this longevity: pine and spruce may last for 20 years and cedar may last up to 40 years. Keep in mind that one of the biggest culprits to diminishing your fence&#;s longevity is moisture. If one of your fence panels or pickets touches the ground, they&#;ll be affected by moisture, which can reduce the life by up to three years. You can avoid this by ensuring that the posts are treated or stained and have concrete or gravel filler in their post holes to keep out moisture.
Another thing to keep in mind with wood fences is the maintenance&#;you need to regularly maintain your fence to keep it from aging. Stain and paint your fence, then re-stain every two years and paint every four years.
Metal fences are the sturdy option that comes in three types: chain link, wrought iron or aluminum. Chain-link is the most inexpensive and long-lasting, although it does provide a more industrial look (not the best for those who want a more decorative aesthetic).
If you do seek a more decorative look and want a metal fence, opt for wrought iron. Wrought iron and aluminum fences combine beauty and strength and can be shaped into unique designs. You can also odd ornamental applications and other fence accessories for artistic embellishments while still enjoying the durability of a metal fence.
As far as maintenance goes, wrought-iron requires a rust-resistant finish every few years to avoid corrosion.
Vinyl fences or PVC fences are quickly growing in popularity. They are durable and relatively maintenance-free&#;just hose it off with some water. While color options are limited, vinyl fences are available in a wide range of styles including picket, lattice, privacy, and even split-rail.
Vinyl fences require little maintenance and are highly durable which allows them to last for 20 or more years with proper care. In fact, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors places the lifespan estimate of polyvinyl , but that would be assuming it doesn&#;t get damaged in the meantime. Some tips for extending the lifespan of your vinyl fence can be found here.
One reason why it&#;s easy for vinyl fences to last longer than wood is due to the fact that they don&#;t decay. While wood can start rotting if it&#;s not regularly retreated, vinyl does not, meaning it can easily last for decades, especially if you take care to protect it from damage.
modern vinyl fences are made using titanium oxide to protect them from UV rays, making them more resistant to sunlight. Modern vinyl is also a durable material made of high-tech polyvinyl, meaning it tends to resist damage better than wood, making it great for pet owners or families with children.
Chain-link fences with a galvanized finish that doesn&#;t rust are the longest lasting fences. All other components of the fence are made of steel and are also galvanized, so there is relatively no maintenance. Even the American Fence Association agrees, finding that chain-link fences are economical and secure.
Chain link comes in a variety of vinyl-coated options aside from durability, chain-link fences can also be customizable without losing the homeowner&#;s visibility.
A well-built and maintained fence should last for 15 to 20 years with proper care.
The most durable fence is the one that is properly built and maintained! That aside, iron, aluminum, cedar, and vinyl fences tend to be the most durable.
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Yes. Staining a fence protects it against water damage, rot, insects, and day to day wear and tear.
Fence posts, like your fence, should last for 15 to 20 years if properly installed and maintained.
It depends on how well each is maintained. Treated wooden fences can last a long time, but only if they are kept protected from moisture and bugs. Vinyl, however, requires much less maintenance, so it can easily last 20 years or more with minimal care.
It depends on the quality of the fence, but modern vinyl fencing materials have five times the tensile strength of wood, so it&#;s comparatively difficult to break.
When trying to decide the type of materials you want to use to build your fence, do your research or consult our professionals at Buzz Custom Fence to help you find the right fence for you!
A chain link fence is an affordable fencing option you can use to protect your property and keep your pets and kids inside your yard. With proper care and maintenance, your chain link fence can last upwards of 20 years (especially if it&#;s powder coated).
Luckily, you don&#;t need to do a lot of maintenance on your chain link fence to help it last. Here are some care tips you can consider to help your chain link fencing last for many years.
Chain link can rust if it is not properly treated every year. You can do this by spraying a rust-resistant coating on your chain link fence yearly, especially along the bottom where the fence gathers moisture from grass and dirt.
Inspect your fence for any signs of existing rust and call your fencing expert for repairs if you find any. Left untreated, rust can eat through fencing and create weak spots or holes in your chain link.
Chain link is very easy to clean, requiring only water to remove mild dirt and debris and simple dish soap for removing bird feces and other stuck-on stains. Use your hose on a high-powered setting to spray down your fencing for easy cleanup, or grab a cotton towel or scrub brush and soapy water to clean tougher areas.
While it&#;s tempting to grow vines, flowers, and other decorative plants on your chain link fence, it&#;s not really wise to do so. Plants can grow through the chain link and lift your fencing up on the bottom or burst through the links and break them. If you find &#;sucker&#; tree seedlings near your fence, remove them right away so they do not end up growing into your chain link and destroy it.
The areas that may wear out first on your chain link fence are the connections to posts. As the fence gets pulled on or climbed over, connections can become loose and whole lengths of chain link can pull away from posts.
Another problem you may notice is gates beginning to sag or dig into the ground when you open and close them. If your gates are becoming uneven due to lots of use, make sure their hinges are tight and there are no bolts missing. If you see any chain link beginning to sag or pull away, call your fencing expert for repairs.
While it may sometimes seem easier to simply hop over the fence than actually use the gate, avoid this action at all times. When you climb on chain link, you risk bending support posts and pulling the chain link away from its bars, which can weaken entire lengths of your fencing. Keep children and pets from climbing chain link by adding vinyl slats or removing all climbing aids near your fence, such as cinder blocks, logs, and ladders.
Your chain link fence can last for a few decades with the right maintenance and care. If you are thinking of upgrading your chain link fence or making simple repairs, consult with your fencing contractor. They can recommend many ways you can reinforce your existing chain link fence to keep it attractive and useful on your property.
A chain link fence is cost-effective, easy to install, and relatively easy to take care of. Our skilled team of fencing experts is able to install and help maintain your chain link fence so it can last for many years. Call our team at Mills Fence today to set up an appointment for repairs or a new install.
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