Post: What is the Average Lifespan of a Residential Wood Fence?

What is the Average Lifespan of a Residential Wood Fence?

The quality of your property investments matter. That would apply to your understanding about the average lifespan of a residential wood fence. 

Your fencing choice secures your property and increases its asset value. It also enhances your property’s aesthetic appeal. 

Those are factors that affect your actions relative to maintaining the longevity of your fence.

What is the average lifespan of a residential wood fence?

The answer varies depending on a variety of factors.

  • The type of wood you select
  • Your local climate
  • Ongoing fence maintenance

And…

  • The installer’s expertise and quality

All factors considered, expect an expertly installed and well-maintained wood fence to last an average of 15 to 20 years. Even so, protecting your investment is vital for extending the lifespan of your wood fence.

Fence quality and maintenance helps assure lasting security and curb appeal for your property.

wood fence

How to maintain your wood fence to protect its lifespan

Select the best wood

The type of wood used is key to the durability and security of your fence. High quality woods recommended by an expert fence company and installer typically include:

  • Cedar
  • Redwood
  • Cypress

An essential part of wood selection is how well it resists decay or insect infestation. Woods that contain natural oils and resins form a protective barrier against moisture and pests.

For example, western red cedar pickets are highly recommended. Ask us about the quality and durability of this trusted wood product.

Clean and seal your fence

Routine cleaning has more to do with protecting it from potential and ongoing harm. For example, the growth of mold or mildew can lead to wood rot. 

  • Monitor your fence surface for a build-up of dirt and mildew.
  • Rinse your fence using a garden hose or low-pressure power washer and allow it to dry before doing any additional maintenance such as applying a sealant.

And speaking of sealing your fence…

A fence sealant can enhance its moisture resistance and protect the wood from deterioration. Sealing each side and the end-caps of your fence materials can help extend its lifespan.

  • Prevent water penetration.
  • Reduce the risk of warping, rotting, or splitting.

It’s recommended that you use a high-quality, oil-based stain and sealant (e.g. Wood Defender®).

Keep in mind that certain wood sealants can significantly reduce the lifespan of your fence. Consult with a professional fence company/installer before applying a wood sealant to assure you’re using the best product and avoiding those that could harm your fencing. 

Inspect and repair your fence as necessary

Be aware of any damage to your wood fence. Look for:

  • Loose fence pickets
  • Broken or rotted sections
  • Loose or missing nails

The sooner you repair any noticeable issues the better for protecting your fence investment. 

wood fence

Assure effective water drainage around your fence

Standing water – especially around the bottom of your fencing materials – can lead to wood erosion over time. Assuring adequate drainage helps direct water away from your fencing. 

  • Confirm that the ground around your fence slopes away from it.
  • Monitor standing water issues and seek drainage solutions to channel it away from your fence.

The lifespan of a wood fence relies on the investment quality and monitoring its condition. Expect your wood fence to provide years of security and curb-appeal as you select the best materials and trust the expertise of professional fence installers.

Check out the following resource about expert wood fence design and installation that secures and adds value to your property:

The Complete Guide to Wood Fence Styles for Your Property

Customize a one-of-a-kind fencing solution for your home 

Radius Fence in Bixby and Tulsa is a leader in fence and gate consultations and installation. 

  • Experts are available to help with your decision, installation, and your ongoing questions about protecting your fence investment.
  • Upgrade your home’s security and appearance.

Contact Radius Fence in Tulsa about your fence questions. Or use our easy and convenient pricing tool for your new or upgraded fence and gate solution.

The Fence & Gate Experts

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Stronger Fencing

Compared to wood, vinyl fencing is much stronger. Vinyl fencing is flexible and durable, which helps vinyl out-perform wood fencing in windy conditions and with environmental exposure to UV rays and weather.

More Options Available

Vinyl fencing is available in a wide variety of configurations to match any property, home, or purpose. Iconic, white vinyl picket fences give a feel of classic Americana with that white-picket-fence-style. Darker vinyl fences can be installed to make a space look more elegant or modern. From short picket to tall privacy, vinyl fencing can be designed to enhance your backyard or business.

Easy To Clean

Vinyl fencing can be cleaned easily with a regular garden hose. If you get a little mildew from moisture or shady conditions, you can use a mild dish soap and then spray off the fence with a garden hose. Vinyl fences are very easy to clean.

Beautiful Vinyl Fences

Vinyl fences are a bright, bold fence choice. Available in a variety of colors, vinyl fencing can be installed in a many configurations to help you enhance the beauty of your property. And, because vinyl isn’t as porous as wood, vinyl fences retain their color and finish much longer than wood fencing so you can enjoy your fence for years to come.

A Good Neighbor Fence

Unlike most fence types that have a “good side” and a “bad side,” with your Trex fence, you will get the same beautiful finish on either side. No unsightly picket defects or exposed support railings. A Trex fence is beautiful no matter what side of the fence you are on. 

25 Year Limited Lifetime Warranty

The power of the outdoors has met its match. Trex is engineered to endure decades of foul weather and foot traffic…with the warranty coverage to prove it. 

With our 25-Year Limited Residential Warranty, you can rest assured that your backyard investment is well protected.

Low Maintenance

Trex fencing can be cleaned easily with a regular garden hose . If you get a little mildew from moisture or shady conditions, you can use a mild dish soap and then spray off the fence with a garden hose. Trex fences are very easy to clean and typically only require it semi-annually,  making them a great option for low-maintenance fencing.

Eco-Friendly Fencing

 Trex eco-friendly composite fencing is made from an innovative blend of 96% recycled wood and plastic—that’s almost the whole thing. Trex fencing led the way green fencing more than 20 years, well before green was a buzzword. Because in the end, all of us want to look out on our fences and know that we’ve done our part. As one of the largest plastic recyclers in the U.S., Trex saves 400 million pounds of plastic and wood from landfills each year.

Never Shrink, Warp or Rot

PostMaster+ fences are designed for more than just presenting a seamless fence, it is an investment in peace of mind.

PostMaster+ is designed to not shrink, warp or rot like wood posts.

Up To 112mph Winds

Your PostMaster+ fence system can be configured to withstand up to 112 MpH winds.

Steel posts protect your investment from damaging wind while cedar offers protection from bugs, rot, and warping.

Limited Lifetime Warranty

You can feel confident in your investment as it comes with a Lifetime Limited warranty.

No other wood fence post even comes close to the performance and longevity of this innovative fencing system.

Hidden Posts

PostMaster+ is the only steel fence post on the market designed to be hidden from view.

Both sides of your fence will showcase beautiful cedar posts while the steel on the inside creates a durable, long-lasting fence.

Limited Lifetime Warranty

RADIUS metal fences have a Limited Lifetime Warranty that protects against cracking, peeling, chipping, blistering and corrosion resulting in structural failure, without cause and workmanship and material defects through the manufacturer.

High Security Fencing

Maintaining a secure perimeter is your first line of defense against potential threats. A metal fence from RADIUS serves as a visual deterrent backed with heavy metal components that give a higher level of protection compared to traditional alternatives.

Coated Galvanized Steel

All RADIUS metal fences are coated inside and out. Our galvanized steel framework is subjected to a multi-stage pre-treatment/wash, followed by a duplex cathodic electrocoat system consisting of an epoxy primer, which significantly increases corrosion protection, and an acrylic topcoat, which provides the protection necessary to withstand adverse weathering effects.

Seamless Design

Our metal fence panels are fabricated through a welding technique that combines laser and fusion technology to create a virtually invisible structural connection at every picket to rail intersection. RADIUS welded steel construction is unmatched in strength and durability.

Modern Design

FenceTrac’s revolutionary, innovative fence system features one of the most modern, sleek designs on the market. Not only are these fences long-lasting, but they are also highly customizable as well as fashionable.

Stronger Trac Channels

FenceTrac U-channels are manufactured from 18-ga. roll-formed galvanized steel for superior strength and durability. This system is built to be long-lasting and customizable to match any yard.

Versatile Infill

Want to create a super durable fence that’s as unique as you? With a FenceTrac system you can pair their patented, durable U-channels with the infill that best fits your style. FenceTrac is designed to be used with nearly any type of rigid infill, so you can create the exact look you want.

Metal Frame

FenceTrac comes in with a durable textured matte black powder coat finish consisting of a multi-stage process of industrial, weather-resistant finish. The sturdy metal frame creates a stronger, longer-lasting fence. FenceTrac’s metal frame is also compatible for fencing sloped grades with precision. 

Stronger Posts & Hardware

A benefit of choosing RADIUS to install your chain link fence is that we use only the most durable posts and hardware.

Chain-link fences are known for being the last fences standing during hurricanes, tornados, and other severe weather events.

Top Rails For Structure

At RADIUS, we believe it’s important to go the extra mile to ensure your investment is built to last.

Adding a top rail to your chain link fence project creates an extra level of durability and security.

Premium Chain Link Mesh

Our chain link mesh offers a high level of security for residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

Manufactured with you in mind to provide you with security and beauty at the same time.

Nice Finishing Caps

At RADIUS, we pride ourselves on putting in the little details that make your fence unique to you. Ask your representative about adding premium finishing caps to your Chain Link fence project.

Premium Rails

Much like our fence pickets, RADIUS takes care in building with rails without defect. Taking the time to use premium fence materials doesn’t cost less but it certainly helps ensure your family can enjoy security and privacy for years to come.

Better Fence Pickets

RADIUS builds with only the best fence pickets. These are not the typical fence pickets anyone can buy from the local big-box stores. RADIUS has partnered with suppliers to provide the highest quality wood fencing materials.

Stronger Posts

RADIUS understands that your fence is as strong as the posts that are used to build your fence. This is why we take great care to use the strongest posts free of defect. We not only offer heavy-duty wood posts but also offer metal posts and PostMaster+ post options for an even stronger post.

All posts are installed to ASTM standards or higher to ensure that your posts last longer and your fence stands for years to come.

Decorative Details

RADIUS goes the extra mile in every detail of your fence project. Add decorative caps to posts, decorative trim, and custom railings to your wood fence project.