There comes a time in every homeowner’s life where they ponder if they should repair or replace a component of their living space. Most common upgrade/replacement conversations are about household appliances or elements that directly impact day-to-day life. However, from time to time, it’s wise to inspect your exterior property, and this includes examining the condition of your fence. As a homeowner, you have two options when it comes to your fence: repair or replace. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are ‘on the fence’ about repairing or replacing your fence.
Typical Issues with Wood Fences
Due to the sheer fact that wood is a natural resource, unlike manufactured materials such as vinyl or aluminum, wood fences are susceptible to various forms of damage. Natural occurrences such as inclement weather conditions have the potential to do serious harm to the structure and aesthetic of your fence. Other issues, such as damage caused by insects such as termites, remain a serious concern. Discolouration is also a frequent issue with wood fences. If there are small holes or cracks in your wood fence, you can use a wood filler touch up kit to preserve its condition. If only a few boards have warped or cracked, we recommend replacing just the boards.
Typical Issues with Vinyl Fences
The best part about vinyl fences is that there is virtually no risk in it getting damaged. Vinyl is incredibly durable. However, the biggest threat facing homeowners with vinyl fences is the risk that heavy forces of pressure could impact it. We’ve encountered many homeowners asking why their fences were not able to withstand the pressure of a car backing into it. As durable as vinyl fences may be, they are not risk-free from damage caused by excessive force. Other risks include inclement snowstorms in which hail and heavy snow could crack your vinyl. The replacement options for vinyl are limited, and should your fence crack, and you may need to replace the entire structure.
Typical Issues with Aluminum Fences
Aluminum, much like vinyl, is incredibly durable. However, it may require more maintenance. If your aluminum fence is damaged via physical force, the soil underneath it may shift, which could loosen the posts of your fence. Thankfully, an easy fix would be to use a backfill or cement or soil to correct it’s positioning in the ground. A loose aluminum rail can be fixed using a t-brace.
When It’s Better to Replace
For fencing professionals, we recommend all homeowners that if they need to repair more than 25% of their entire fence, it’s better to replace it. It’s critical to remember the fence posts are harder and more expensive to repair, and therefore, if you have several of them with maintenance issues, it may be wiser to replace your entire fence. If your fence lacks enough privacy or doesn’t prevent your dog or child from leaving, it’s time to consider a new fence. Finally, if you’re in the market for a stylistic change, a brand-new fence would certainly work fine for you.
For more information, contact Fence All today! Call 613-736-1122.
