While it may not be immediately evident, the lifespan of a fence can vary significantly depending on a number of crucial details. One of the most important is the quality of materials used, from the actual lumber to anchoring and fastening materials. Here are some areas where quality is crucial:
When it comes to building a fence, small details can make a big difference in terms of quality and longevity. Photo: C & J Fencing, a Division of Mt. Diablo Lumber Inc. (2014)
Lumber
Wood is the most essential constitutive element of a fence, which is why it’s important to regard quality when choosing board, post and railing materials. While it’s certainly cheaper to find these by picking through leftovers at a lumber yard, solid, thick-cut wood that comes directly from a mill will last much longer due to its superior integrity and resistance to outdoor elements.
Pressure-treated wood
When it comes to posts, kickboards and any other fence component that comes into contact with the ground, pressure-treated wood is an ideal option. However, as with regular lumber, quality matters. Rather than settling for low-grade hem fir, insist on a high-quality Douglas fir product to ensure maximum durability.
Anchoring
In order to maintain its vertical alignment over an extended period of time, a fence needs to be adequately anchored. There are minimum standards for aspects like post depth, but it never hurts to go a little further. For example, while the typical depth of a fence post is 2 feet, going 6 inches to 1 foot deeper will add further reinforcement. Additionally, to warrant optimum stability, be sure to use high-quality concrete rather than post mix for setting.
Fastening
Staples are often used to assemble fences, but they lack the strength to maintain long-term adhesion. A better option is to use high-quality galvanized nails, which will ensure a lasting bond.
The quality of these various components can mean the difference of a decade or more in the lifespan of your fence. Before hiring a fencing contractor, make sure you ask questions about the types of materials to be used, and check up on things like licensing, experience, and local reputation. Choosing a contractor that puts quality first will ensure your new fence will be standing for many years.
To find a Diamond Certified fencing contractor in your area, visit www.diamondcertified.info.
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I have a neighbor who uses pressure treated wood. His fence posts are green from the treatment and are supposed to withstand rotting. My wife wants me to put a fence up around our yard. Maybe I’ll ask my neighbor how he does it.
Quality is always something important to take into account. If you want the fence to last a long time you need to pick something that’s good quality, but also something within your budget. It can be tough, but in the long run it’s worth it.
These are some great pieces of advice, and I appreciate your tip to use quality wood instead of scrap lumber. It’s usually better to put a little bit more money down up front, if it means your fence will last longer. It’s worth the extra expense for quality materials that won’t have to be replaced or repaired frequently. Thanks for the great post!
Thanks for the tip about setting the depth of my fence posts 6 inches or 1 foot deeper than required. I’m in the process of installing a fence and want to do it right. I also don’t want to have to redo any of the work. I think setting the post deeper and using better materials will do the trick, thanks.
It makes sense that it would be better off in the long run to get the quality cut wood to make fences, or anything really. My family was all about saving money and getting the materials with lesser quality, and I think it took us more maintenance than if we bought the quality stuff. Thanks for the info on here!
My wife and I are going to put a fence around our backyard this summer. I definitely want to have a wooden fence just as long as I can ensure that it will last a long time. I didn’t realize that wood could be pressure-treated, but if that will increase the fences durability, then I am all for it. Thanks for sharing this.
These are some really good things to think about when you are choosing the material for a fence. Knowing if a certain material will last longer or stay in good condition would be a helpful tool in making a decision. It seems like it would be smart to ask your contractor about material that will look nice for a long time.
Thanks for the article! I thought it was interesting that you need to maintain vertical alignment when it comes to putting up a fence properly. Having minimum standards for the build, as well as quality materials, creates optimum stability to the fence. I recently my fence installed and was surprised by the constant measuring and adjustments to make the fence sit just right. I really enjoyed reading about the materials that require the most attention when prolonging the life of your fence.
I need to build a new wooden fence for my yard, so this information seems helpful to read so that I can know what materials to use. Your advice for choosing solid, thick-cut wood that comes directly from a mill could be a good source of quality lumber. I’ll try looking at a few mills in my area to see if I can find some good lumber for my fence.
Thanks for explaining that adequate anchoring is essential in order for a fence to maintain it’s vertical aliment over any period of time. I am sure that this is especially important for the gate portion of a fence, as the gate swings freely and isn’t connected to the ground. These sound like things that would best be managed by a professional, so I would probably be more inclined to hire a contractor to install a fence and gate for me than to try and do it on my own.
I am interested in putting up a fence in my backyard next year and wanted to know what I could do to make the investment greater. It’s very wise as you say in the article about anchoring your posts that it never hurts to go a little further into the ground. I will have to make sure that when I get it done next year I use quality materials and have them anchored soundly. Thanks for the helpful info!
Well, keeping a wooden fence in top shape is important when it comes to extend the life of the fence. But it is quite unfortunate to say that many fences will have shortened life span because they were neglected and not taken care of in a proper way. Yes, there are number of things that one can do to keep his wooden fence from rotting, which only needs a few material, some time and a bit of elbow grease. It is always good to keep the fence clean from moss and debris, which ultimately helps to prolong the life span of fence. Your blog describes a lot about the ways to prolong the life span of the fence. I like to say thanks for sharing this.
I liked that you mentioned you want to anchor your fence in so it lasts longer. Our fence is getting really old, so we’ve been thinking of repairing it. Do you have any tips for choosing a fencing contractor?
The biggest downside to wood is the maintenance over time. So I always recommend using premium materials to prolong the life and minimize maintenance over time.