A good fence is more than just a boundary line. It's an extension of your home that can add beauty, value and curb appeal to your property. Choosing the right fence for your property and your uses takes some thought and exploration. You need to consider the style of your house and how the fence will affect it, the cost, and the style of your neighborhood.
Once you've chosen a fence for your yard or garden, you'll still need to put some time and thought into maintaining it to keep it as beautiful as the day it was installed. The amount and kind of care depends on the type of fence you've chosen and the materials of which it is made. Each kind of fence, even the most weatherproof and durable, will require some care to keep it attractive and in good shape.
Fencing Maintenance for Wood Fences
Natural wood is one of the most beautiful of all fencing materials. The single most important maintenance choice you make should be in the choice of the fence itself. Be sure to choose a fence made of pressure-treated wood that will resist rot and moisture. In addition, if you choose a fence that uses posts and rails, take care during construction with the finishing of the post tops. Leaving them flat is an invitation to wood rot brought on by collected moisture. Instead, the top edges of the posts should be angled or rounded to allow rainwater to run off rather than being absorbed. You can also choose to cap the posts with a decorative cap in wood or metal.
Even if you like the look of silvered, weathered wood, take the time to give the entire fence a coat of natural preservative to extend its life. A painted or stained fence will require periodic refreshing of its coat of paint to keep its good looks and maintain its weatherproofing. If the wood fence has metal hinges, those should also get the occasional coat of paint and a rustproofer.
Fencing Maintenance for Metal Fences
The amount of maintenance that your metal fence requires depends on the type of metal you choose.
Wrought iron is the most maintenance intensive. Every few years, expect to give it a good going over with a wire brush, and a new coat of paint.
Assembled Component Systems made with galvanized steel have a powdered steel coating and a fifteen year warranty. That means that you'll seldom have to worry about rust or maintenance during that period.