Wooden fences are an excellent home improvement for those homeowners that are looking to improve privacy, keep pets safe and secure, or just give their home that classic Americana look. But, as with many other home improvements, there are a number of considerations to make regarding the installation of a new wooden fence. From color and size to style and access points, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from when getting a new wood fence from a trusted contractor, like the Backyard Brothers, located here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas.
One thing you may stumble upon during your research is “sealing” a wooden fence. For those inexperienced with wood, sealing can be a foreign concept. In this post from the Backyard Brothers blog, we’ll discuss what sealing a wood fence is, if you should seal your wood fence, and more.
What Is Wood Fence Sealing?
Fence sealing is the process of applying chemicals to the wood of a fence which saves it from turning gray and swelling after exposure to the elements. There are a number of things that can be classified as a sealer, from specialty-made wood fence sealers to wood stains, and even paint can be used to seal a fence and protect it from the elements. In some cases, wood that has been prepared for fencing is already sealed, so it may not be necessary to apply the sealer yourself.
Do I Need To Seal My Wood Fence?
Most fencing contractors across the country will recommend that you should seal your wooden fence, and Dallas-Fort Worth is no exception. Anywhere that experiences intense weather, like frequent heat, cold, rain, or snow, should use a fence sealer to increase the longevity of an installation. Without proper wooden fence sealing, the lifespan of your fence could be drastically reduced. With proper installation and maintenance, a wooden fence can last 15-20 years. Without sealing and depending on the type of wood, you can expect the lifespan of a wood fence to be less than 10 years.
How To Seal A Wood Fence
Fence Sealing Preparation
Before a wood fence is sealed, it must first be prepared. For brand new fences, the wood must be cleaned so that no sap, dirt, mold, or mildew stops the sealant from sticking to the wood. Fences that have been previously installed should have any previous sealant, stain, or paint stripped off entirely so that the new sealant can properly soak into the wood.
When cleaning a wood fence, it’s considered best practice to use a bristle brush. But, if you’re trying to save time or have a lot of fencing to clean, it’s also acceptable to use a pressure washer to clean the wood. It should be noted that there is more risk of damaging the wood when using a pressure washer to clean a fence.
Sealing The Fence
Once the wood is dried from the cleaners, it’s time to seal the fence. There are specialty-made wood sealers that are a popular choice for preserving the natural color of the wood, but stain and paint can also be used to seal a wooden fence. When using a stand-alone sealer, most contractors will fill a garden sprayer with sealant and spray the fence down entirely. Read the instructions closely if DIYing your fence sealing project, because many sealers will call for dilution with water before application.
Windy days can make sealing a fence difficult when using a sprayer, so keep an eye on weather reports before sealing a fence. Make sure to wear protective clothing, as well as face coverings to protect yourself from any of the harsh chemicals getting in your mouth or eyes or on your skin. You should also cover anything you don’t want to get damaged by the wood sealer, such as plants, bushes, flowers, or other areas of your home.
Need Some Help Sealing Your Wooden Fence? Backyard Brothers Is Here For You
Backyard Brothers is a fence company in Fort Worth and Dallas that loves helping homeowners improve their biggest investment. Whether you want a brand new fence installation or need some help with sealing your fence in the DFW area, we can be of assistance. For new fences in Fort Worth and Dallas, trust Backyard Brothers.
