5 Ways Professionals Can Make Your New Wood Fence Withstand Strong Winds
Wood Fence Installation Minneapolis & St. Paul Area
Fencing has to stand up against the elements 24/7, and some fences are better at it than others. The materials matter, but the installation process can matter even more. So don’t invest in premium cedar planks and then watch them break from poor installation before they even start to develop their glossy gray weathering. Look for a professional installation service, instead. Here are five ways their techniques can help your fence if your region has a lot of windy weather:
1. Inspect your previous fence for key areas of damage.
Your old fence tells a detailed story about the weather patterns in your area. Someone with experience repairing and installing fences can figure out the cause behind tilted panels, warped posts, and pitted surfaces. So send in pictures of the worst damage or let your chosen fencing company inspect the current fence. They can recommend changes like retaining walls, hedges for wind barriers, and the best fence style for your property.
2. Install the fence posts securely.
Your fence has to fight against the wind, but most of its surface area isn’t directly secured to the ground. Instead, the panels or wood posts are connected to a horizontal cross beam which is connected to the main support posts. Professionals know how to give those main support posts the reinforcement they need. This includes burying them to the right depth, using the right type of concrete for your climate, and using sturdy nails to secure the rest of the fence.
3. Leave precisely placed gaps in the slats to let wind through.
Even if you have a board on board privacy fence, you don’t want a solid surface of wood. Eventually, the wind will win. Either it will push panels down at an angle so the air can flow above the fence. If the panels are stronger than the posts, strong winds could even pick up some of the wood like a kite.
But professionals know where and how to leave gaps in the slats so the wind can escape without causing damage. They also know how to make sure these gaps don’t compromise the solidity and lack of visibility that a board-on-board privacy fence promises.
4. Reinforce exposed fencing with more crossbeams.
One of the best ways to protect a fence is with a wind barrier, like hedges. They deflect the wind and lock down the surrounding soil so erosion won’t compromise the support posts. But if you want exposed fencing, professionals can make it work. They can reinforce it with horizontal beams and more frequent support posts so you have precisely the fence and backyard you want.
5. Recommend the right wood for your area.
Every climate does best with a different type of wood for fencing. If you live in a humid area, you need materials that are less vulnerable to rot and microplants burrowing roots into the surface. If you live in a sunny area, you need wood that won’t crack and fall apart.
Professional fencers know precisely which types of wood will work best for your new fence. They also know the right stains and sealants to make your fence last even longer. If you were planning on using a wood type that isn’t right for your climate, they can even recommend a stain that gives your fence the appearance of that wood while having the attributes your fence needs.
If your fence has suffered too much wind damage to be repaired, find a fence that will last longer and perfectly match your home. Go to Security Fence & Construction to browse our gallery or contact one of our experts.
