The vision of a white picket fence from a bygone era continues to stick in the collective mind of America, fueling the desire for a wooden fence. Innovation has resulted in a myriad of wood types, vertical and horizontal installations, along with classic to thoroughly modern designs.

Your wooden fence will typically last about 15 years, but with proper care and maintenance, its lifespan can be extended up to 20 years. When it’s time to say so-long to the fence, there are an extensive number of ways that the wood can be recycled and repurposed. The wood is highly prized by crafters for custom, handmade projects.

Regular Cleaning

A wooden fence can collect dirt, dust, vegetative debris and mold. The fence can be cleaned effectively with a power wash that should be performed at least once a year. Twice a year is even better.

Stain, Paint and Seal

Wooden fences make an aesthetically appealing frame for properties. They will also require some care to keep them looking great. Give them a new coat of stain or paint every few years, followed by a coat of sealant. It may seem like a lot of effort, but caring for your fence from the beginning will increase its longevity, maintain its appearance, and save you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs.

Inspect and Repair

Nails can rust, screws can pull out and old metal bracing can allow corners to sag. All those situations can lead to boards and posts that break, sag and rot. Wood fences are also subject to insects and mold damage that requires prompt attention. Failure to keep up with regular maintenance and simple tasks such as tightening screws reduces the fence’s lifespan.

Pressure-treated wood is typically utilized for fencing for longer life and resistance to insects and weather, but that doesn’t make the wood invincible. It’s an easy matter to hire a contractor to perform inspections and make repairs when needed if you don’t have the time to perform the job.

A backyard makeover can give people more space to relax, room for entertaining, or new features to enjoy. No matter what the desired makeover, it begins with a plan. The best option for the project’s ultimate planning and execution is to consult with a professional landscaper.

The other alternative is a software program that enables individuals to choose different features around the specified space to see how they’ll look. Start with a dream landscape and work to narrow down the available choices. Keep the following in mind when planning a backyard makeover.

Budget

Even a small makeover can be expensive and will depend on multiple factors. It’s important for individuals to decide how much they’re willing to invest in the makeover. Always expect the cost to be more than anticipated as the price of materials can fluctuate widely over time.

Purpose

The first step is to ascertain what’s to be accomplished with the makeover. Some want to create a cozy retreat, a place for entertaining, or a kid-friendly environment. Unless individuals are handy or enjoy puttering around the garden, choose low-maintenance options.

Likes and Dislikes

It can be helpful to walk around the area to be rejuvenated. Take stock of what’s liked and disliked, as well as those things that might be salvaged and incorporated into the new design. That may include removing trees, bushes and existing flower beds.

For those that live in locations rich in wildlife, it may be prudent to keep out deer and other unwanted animals with a fence. Individuals may have their heart set on specific plantings, but let reality be a guide. All plants simply don’t grow well in some areas and may need more time and care to survive than individuals have.

Materials

There are dozens of materials with which to create the makeover, from concrete and pavers to synthetic materials. The makeover can include ponds, fountains and waterfalls. Outdoor furnishings will need to be waterproof and depending on the size of the area, will need to be versatile and serve multiple purposes to avoid overcrowding.

Rules

Every neighborhood and community are governed by specific rules as to what’s allowable, what’s not, and will require specific permits for the work. That’s where the services of a professional are beyond compare. They’ll know the prevailing rules and be able to pull the necessary permits.

A sagging gate is almost inevitable at some point, simply due to its construction and the way it attaches to a fence. Even a gate that’s been installed by highly skilled professionals can sag over time. Gates are square or rectangular in shape, a framework that’s essentially unstable when fastened to a fence. They’re attached by one side and the weight of the gate makes it droopy and saggy.

A brace run diagonally from one side of the gate to the other is the easiest way to prevent it from sagging. It helps balance the tension on the gate. Other forces also come into play when a gate sags. The mere opening and closing of the barrier accelerates the process over time by loosening hardware that attaches it to the fence.

Excess Weight

A gate presents an almost irresistible temptation to children. Riding the gate while it travels back and forth is a fun game, but it places excess weight on the gate, along with the wear and tear of it opening and closing. That’s just one of the reasons why the gate lock should be placed in a position where children can’t reach it.

Another factor in gate sagging is the size of the post to which it’s attached. The post has to correlate to the size and weight of the fence. A post that’s too small allows the gate to sag because there’s too much weight for the post to adequately hold. A gate post must also be set sufficiently deep to support it and the weight of the gate.

Hindges

The choice of hinges on the gate will also determine the potential for sagging. Just as the gate post is crucial, so are the hinges and screws that are used. The entire weight of the gate rests upon and pivots on the hinge. The hinge must be able to hold the gate, its weight, and withstand multiple openings and closings. Screws must be sunk deep enough in the metal or wood to hold without pulling out of the barrier is to withstand the wear and tear of time.