Maintenance of Privacy Fencing Materials

Many people enjoy the benefits of an enclosed yard, but they may not know how to properly maintain the privacy fencing materials that give them the privacy they love. Knowing how to properly care for and protect the privacy fencing materials from the elements can significantly extend the life of some types of fencing. Wood is commonly used in privacy fencing materials. There are many different types of wood that can be used for fences. Each type of wood may require slightly different maintenance. With a wood fence, proper maintenance begins with proper selection and installation of the privacy fencing materials. For example, when selecting the wood to be used it is important to note whether it is pressure treated or not. If the wood is pressure treated, it will be more resistant to insects and decay. If it is not, you will need to treat the privacy fencing materials with appropriate sealants once installation is complete. In either case, you may wish to stain or paint wood privacy fencing materials after installation to create a custom look for your yard. During installation, you may want to consider using metal posts to keep the privacy fencing materials from becoming saturated with water during rain, etc. If the post itself stays wet for a long time, it can cause the slats to decay. Some homeowners also prefer an installation that keeps the privacy fencing materials from touching the ground. For example, installing wood slats so that they are about one inch away from the ground will still provide adequate privacy, but can allow for better drainage under the fence and keep the slats dry. After the privacy fencing materials have been installed, there may be some ongoing maintenance required as well. For example, when using wood privacy fencing materials, annual maintenance could include both cleaning and sealing the wood. For a quick way to clean the wood, you can add a deck washing material to your power washer and spray the fence. Another method would be to use a car wash type brush to clean the fencing. Once the fence has been cleaned, you can spray or brush on a new coat of wood sealant. The wood sealant helps to keep the fencing protected from decay. If you have used vinyl for your privacy fencing materials, you will not need to conduct the same type of maintenance as you would with a wood fence. Vinyl fencing does not require any type of sealant or stain and does not need to be painted. It is naturally resistant to boring insects and can also stand up to sun and other weather pretty well. A vinyl fence will still need to be cleaned regularly to protect its good looks. Cleaning a vinyl fence is very easy and requires only a garden hose and perhaps a soft brush for more stubborn dirt. If you know how to properly maintain your privacy fence, you can help to keep it looking beautiful and durable for many years as you enjoy the benefits of privacy in your yard.

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