Having a fence on your property helps to mark the boundaries of what you own, keep out unwanted visitors, and provide you with some privacy. Nearly any material will give you these benefits, but your fence should do more than that. The best kinds of fences require little to no maintenance. With these types of fences, you can depend on them to do their job without needing to regularly repair or take care of them.
Maintaining a Wood Fence
For a long time, most fences were made out of wood. These fences have their merit, including their aesthetic appeal. However, they do require a great deal of maintenance. No matter what you do, these fences will eventually rot away and fall into disrepair. Most of the maintenance you do is to slow down this process. Wood fences can be treated with chemicals that prevent termites and other pests. You can also apply a sealant to wood fences to make them more durable and to withstand severe weather conditions. Both treatments and sealants will need to be reapplied repeatedly. Wood fences can also be damaged by trees, bushes, and other plants that are nearby. Roots can lift the fence and bushes that are close to the fence can cause it to rot faster. As wooden boards rot, you’ll need to replace them. Lastly, wood fences will need a thorough cleaning every once in a while. Overall, it just requires a lot more work to maintain a wooden fence. It’s simply better to opt for materials that require less effort.
Benefits of Having a No Maintenance Fence
It might seem self-explanatory, but having a no-maintenance fence simply makes things easier. You already have a lot of other things to maintain on the exterior of your home. Taking care of a fence doesn’t need to be added to your list. With the right material, you can end up with a fence that you won’t ever need to touch or bother with. Low-maintenance materials are better options. For these types of fences, the most you’ll ever need to do is clean them off on occasion.
Vinyl Fences
One of the most popular no-maintenance fence materials is vinyl. Vinyl is a synthetic, man made material. Fences made from vinyl are much more long-lasting and they require very little maintenance. You won’t need to apply any kind of sealant or worry about replacing portions of the fence if they fall into disrepair. The only thing you’ll ever need to do is wash your fence with a solution of soap and water.
Vinyl fences are also popular because they offer a lot of variety. With wood fences, there are only so many colors available and then you’ll need to stain the wood to get the exact color you want. Vinyl, on the other hand, comes in nearly any color you can think of. This means you can get the exact color you need for your home. Additionally, vinyl can be made to look just like wood. You can have the desired look of a wood fence without all the work that accompanies it.
Aluminum Fences
Much like vinyl, aluminum fences are extremely durable and long-lasting. It’s the kind of material that makes a statement without being too flashy. With an aluminum fence, you don’t need to worry about painting or staining it in order to prevent it from falling apart or being damaged by the elements. You also don’t need to wash them as often. If you choose a black fence, it will mask any dirt and grime so it won’t appear dirty. If you choose, you can even combine an aluminum fence with vinyl. An example of this would be using aluminum as a decorative element on a vinyl fence.
If you’re installing a fence or replacing your old fence, you want to opt for a no-maintenance option. It will require less work from you and you can depend on your fence to look good as time goes on. These fences are always a better investment.
Valley Wide Fence and Deck has a variety of fence materials available. Click here to explore the options and find the best choice for your no maintenance fence.