Fence ownership is a responsibility. Keep yours in great shape with this guide.
A fence is a great investment, boosting your home value and protecting your family and property. You might be reading this as someone looking to install a new fence and aren’t sure which fence material to choose yet, or you might be someone who has a fence and is ready to give it a spring cleaning. Are you ready to maintain your fence? Here’s how to care for your fence if it is wood, composite, vinyl, aluminum, or steel.
How to Maintain a Wood Fence
Maintenance for wood fences is more or less the same, regardless of the type of lumber. If your fence is made with an exotic wood, then you will need to apply an oil to rehydrate and protect it.
Otherwise, routine care looks like:
- Brushing off caked dirt with a broom
- Washing the fence with non-abrasive cleaners and tools
- Removing mold and mildew with appropriate cleaners
- Staining the fence every few years
- Inspecting the fence for and addressing splinters, holes, and other damage
- Removing and replacing rotting parts
Caring for a Composite Fence
Composite fences contain wood fibers and outdoor-grade plastic. They are less susceptible to splinters, holes, and insect damage, but composite fence care looks like the following:
- Washing the fence once a year, scrubbing along the grain
- Removing tough stains as needed
- Removing mold and mildew as needed
- Removing scratches
- Inspecting for and addressing chips, cracks, instability, etc.
Keep a Vinyl Fence Pristine
If you have or want a vinyl fence, maintenance looks similar as for a composite fence.
- Cleaning the fence about once a year in fall, spring, or as needed
- Removing tough stains with the right cleaners
- Removing mold and mildew
- Inspecting for and making repairs
Aluminum Fence Maintenance
An aluminum fence is one of the best low-maintenance fences you can find. This secure fence does not need much more than routine cleaning and inspecting. Only if you live by salt water will the fence risk rusting.
How to Maintain a Chain-Link Fence
Chain-link fences are also very low maintenance. Made of galvanized steel, they are highly affordable and need only a cleaning and routine inspection to keep them in great shape. Over time, you will want to look out for rust, damaged chain-link panels, and sagging.
Upgrade Your Home and Reach Out to Freedom Fence Today
Whether you want a brand new patio in the spring or want to install a beautiful new wood fence, Freedom Fence and Home has the expertise, competitive prices, and professional service you need. Freedom Fence and Home has over 50 years of fencing experience in the Baltimore County area, Harford County, Essex, White Marsh, and Bel Air area, and we pride ourselves on giving our customers the best customer service experience possible. To see examples of our work and pick the right backyard feature for your home, explore our website. To get started on planning your project, give us a call at (443) 271-6841, or visit us online. For more information, tips, and updates about Freedom Fence and Home, follow us on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.