5 Ways People Mess Up Their Wooden Fences

As fence contractors in the Milwaukee metro area we see a lot of bad fences. We especially see a lot of bad wooden fences, since they do require more maintenance than any other fence type.

We want you to enjoy a fence that looks really nice. After all, the appearance of your fence can make or break the appearance of your landscape. So we’re going to share these mistakes with you in the hopes that you don’t repeat them.

1. They don’t clean their fences.

Mold and mildew can really screw up your wooden fence if you don’t get in there with a pressure washer to clean it every now and then. It will develop.

Your fence is exposed to moisture all year long. For example, our customers in Menomonee Falls see over 32 inches of either rain or snow throughout the year. Wet wood is absolutely an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow.

See:

• How to Pressure Wash a Fence
• How to Remove Mold on a Fence

2. They don’t stain them.

Stain keeps the mold and mildew from coming back once you’ve washed your fence. It also protects your fence from another destructive element: UV rays.

Please stain the fence instead of painting it. Paint actually does very little to protect your fence, even if it looks nice at first.

See:

• How to Stain a Wood Fence
• Should I Paint or Stain a Wood Fence?

3. They choose the wrong kind of stain.

Not all stains are created equal. You want a very high-quality oil based stain to give your fence the very best protection.

If you’re not careful you’ll grab a water or gel-based stain from the shelves instead, and your fence won’t get the protection it deserves.

See:

• What’s the Best Stain Brand for a Cedar Fence?

4. They don’t perform seasonal fence checks.

Fences need TLC. They especially need it in the fall, just before the snows hit, and the winter when storms start putting additional stresses on your fence.

These checks keep your fence functional and in good repair.

See:

• Autumn Fence Maintenance
• 4 Tips on How to Protect a Wood Fence in Winter
• How to Check Your Fence after a Winter Storm

5. They use the wrong type of wood.

Some people make their mistake right at installation. They get modular fences from the hardware store, or go with lower-quality contractors who don’t provide them with the right type of wood.

For example, if you go the DIY route you’re almost certainly getting pressure-treated pine, an inferior wood that is not going to last. Thus, you won’t get a very good experience with your fence.

See:

• Cedar Fences vs. Pressure Treated Pine Fences
• The Many Benefits of Having a White Cedar Fence

Do the right thing for your lawn and landscape if you’re thinking about installing a fence for the first time. Call A1 Fence to get a free estimate on a northern white cedar fence. As long as you don’t make the other four mistakes, you’ll be happy with the results for many years to come.