Does A New Fence Need Treating

Pressure treating involves treating the wood with preservative in a vacuum.

Does a new fence need treating.

A well built wooden fence can last for more than a decade without needing major repairs or maintenance. However if you are changing from paint to stain it s important you apply a coat of primer to the entire surface before you can safely stain your fence to ensure the stain will adhere. This will allow it to weather enough but not too much. By contrast staining your fence locks in the oils ensuring that your fence lasts far longer than it would last without treatment of any kind.

What if you ve waited too long. If the fence is made with pressure treated materials it may be 3 4 months for the posts to dry enough and can be checked with a moisture meter. This process forces the preservative into the wood ensuring a deeper level of protection against rot decay and insects. Within the first year of installation the wood may warp or split as it dries says john elaison co owner and founder of elaison lumber.

Previously stained fences should be sanded or pressure washed to provide a clean surface for the new coat of stain to soak into the wood. Many home owners prefer to keep the fresh wood color of their fence as long as possible. The drying process could leave your fence defenseless against bugs and rot. Most new fences start out darker in colour with a distinctive green tinge due the chemicals that have been infused with the timber.

You will notice over the following months that your new fence will change colour as it drys out. Treating the fence with a waterproofing agent adds to its life and preserves the beauty of the wood grain. Pickets don t need to be pressure treated because they are above ground say holt and elaison. Fence pickets cost between 1 70 and 3.

Learn how to choose a new fence just right for your space. A good rule of thumb is to wait a month or two if the fence is made with dry materials.