Table of Contents
In five to eight years, the fence may start to lean, but it should last 10 to 15 years overall. To keep the wood from rotting, apply a wood preservative to seal it. “It’s like wax on a car,” Holt says. “It helps protect it from the elements, from water, from sprinklers.”.
How can I make my wooden fence last longer?
Use exterior oil-based stain or latex paint, which will seal out moisture, prevent wood rot, limit the amount of weathering and extend the life of the wood. Choose a stain or sealant with a UV inhibitor to help keep the wood from turning gray. Let the wood dry for about a week before applying a stain or sealant.
Is it better to stain or seal a wooden fence?
Unlike sealers, stains penetrate into the wood. Although a wood stain is more expensive than a sealer, it can last up to 5 times longer and looks more professional. So you certainly get your money’s worth. Here at DeckMaster™, we recommend using wood stains for your deck and fence maintenance.
What can I use to protect my wooden fence from weather?
How to Protect Your Wooden Fence from Rain & Sun Place a plastic tarp over plants that are near the wooden fence. Clean the wooden fence with water from a power-washer. Examine the fence for damaged areas and missing boards.
Do I need to seal my wood fence?
Wood fences are traditionally beautiful, and they can be a significant financial investment in the value of your home and property. They do, however, require staining or sealing in order to enhance their beauty and to ensure their life span. Further, the wood can become subject to mold, rot, and decay.
How do you make a fence post last forever?
Brush the waterborne copper naphthenate wood preservative onto the top of the fence posts where the fresh cut reveals exposed, untreated wood. Apply additional coats after the first coat absorbs into the wood. Brush copper naphthenate wood preservative into any cracks that develop anywhere on the fence post.
What is the best sealer for a wood fence?
Best Overall: Ready-Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer, 5 Gallon. Protect your fence from natural elements like rain and UV rays with this semi-transparent stain from Ready-Seal. This oil-based formula can be applied to all hard and softwoods.
Do you need to seal both sides of a fence?
A question that customers sometimes ask is whether both sides of the fence should be sealed. In reality, if one side of the fence faces a neighbor and they choose not to stain or seal their side will discolor and yours won’t, without this affecting the structural integrity of the structure.
Does pressure treated wood fence need to be sealed?
However, most pressure-treated wood should have periodic sealing against moisture, preferably every year or so. Although the wood is resistant to rot and insect attacks because of the pressure treatment, it can warp, split and develop mildew if not protected from the effects of water.
How long should fence dry before staining?
Checking the Forecast Before Staining Staining your fence during the right weather conditions is key. Before you apply any stain or sealer, your fence needs to be free from moisture for at least 24-48 hours after cleaning it.
Should you seal your fence?
If you have not painted or stained your fence, you will need to apply a clear sealant every year to protect to wood and maintain a strong seal against moisture. Bushes and vines should be kept off the fence. The vine will keep the fence moist and it will rot faster.
How do you preserve a fence?
There are three common choices which are used to protect wooden fences from the elements of weather namely painting, semitransparent staining and solid staining. Painting a new fence is a good way of covering its surface with a thin layer or film which prevents moisture to getting through into the wood.
How long will a wood fence last?
Life Expectancy Of Wooden Fencing When properly maintained — which includes replacing individual planks and boards as needed — a well-built wooden fence can last in good condition up to 20 years or more.
Does staining a fence make it last longer?
An exterior decking stain will bring out the natural color and grain of the wood and will seal and protect from moisture and sunlight. Stain will also make your fence last significantly longer. Plan on re-staining your fence every three to five years for optimal protection and beauty.
Is it too late to stain my fence?
A good rule of thumb is to wait a month or two if the fence is made with dry materials. This will allow it to weather enough but not too much. If the fence is made with pressure treated materials it may be 3-4 months for the posts to dry enough and can be checked with a moisture meter.
How do you treat rotten fence posts?
The answer is to treat the wood with chemical preservatives that prevent or slow down biological attack. The main methods are pressure treating the wood with creosote, pentachlorophenol, or inorganic arsenical chemicals, the most common of which is chromated copper arsenate (CCA).
How do you keep wooden fence posts from rotting?
Place your fence post on top of the gravel drainage layer and fill the rest of the hole in with soil, ensuring it stands firm and steady. As an alternative, Postsaver sleeves are a cost-effective, simple way to keep wood rot at bay.
