Wanna Build a Fence?

• Posted on April 30, 2020
• by mikew
• in Fix It & Use It
• No Comments.

There are some things I am grateful to have learned after inspecting hundreds of fences. They are one of those components that dramatically alter the look of a house and overall yard and provide a level of security for outdoor living areas and safety for children and pets. As you prepare for the repair or replacement of your fence here are some Wright Way suggestions!

Treating treated posts is worth it. Using treated posts is pretty obvious, but when you do, be sure to seal the ends! Remember the exterior grain is treated, not the cross cut areas. The end in the ground should be sealed with a water proofing sealant or tar. The upper end should be sealed as well or covered with a post cap. A treated post will cost about $10-15 each and be the one component most susceptible to moisture and deterioration. It is the structural support of the whole fence and requires disassembling all other components to replace. Treating the ends will add years to the life expectancy of the post and overall fence.

Cover the top of the slats. This will protect the vulnerable cross cut end of the slats (aka pickets). Install a top rail (the easiest method) or seal every slat. I have seen moisture and squirrel activity turn these delicate ends into ugly, jagged lines. You’ll spend more money on the slats than any other – hundreds to even thousands of these slats depending on the size of the yard.

Staining a fence is beautiful but unnecessary. Color added is added maintenance as you will have to re-apply the stain every 2-3 years to keep it sparkling. What happens if you don’t? Cedar slats will naturally oxidize and transition to what I call “Northwest Gray.” The natural oils in cedar make this an ideal outdoor product that can last for decades. Choose your finish color carefully for it is very unsightly to neglect or change what you’ve begun.

Fasteners matter. Nails are cheap, quick and easy. But you get what you pay for as nails back out and boards come loose. Use all-weather screws to hold the fence together. Also, be sure they are the proper length – screws that protrude through the other end of the fence can be a safety concern.

Install slats off the ground. Do not install slats (pickets) to touch the grass or dirt. As I mentioned about the the need for a top rail, the susceptible ends of the slats (pickets) are the cross cut ends on the top and bottom. This is also where you will use your edge trimmer which will destroy the clean edge of boards if they are deteriorating.

Concerned about the gap at the bottom?

If desired, install a treated kicker board at the base of the fence. This will close any visible gap, last longer than slats and can be easily replaced if damage or deterioration occurs.

In closing, I realize that these suggestions will limit some of the design options for your fence and add cost and time to the project. However, fencing replacement has a staggering cost. A little extra now will add years to your fence and keep it looking beautiful for the duration. So you want to build a fence? These are some of my long term cost-saving suggestions.

Bottom line principles of a long lasting fence…