With colder weather comes harsh conditions for outdoor materials. The early days of fall are some of the best to tackle any needed maintenance on cedar fencing before it’s too late. For those of us living in Colorado, weather can get unpredictable to say the least. It’s important to cover all your bases before the start of the snow season. Ensure your fence is healthy and ready to combat the worst of winter.
Understanding Local Climate
Prior to making any notion to protect your fence from seasonal changes, it’s crucial to understand the types of local weather it will endure. For those of us living in a mountainous area, freezing temperatures and brittle air are main concerns. While some of us also may live in areas with high levels of humidity and exposure to natural disasters such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Understanding the potential for what your fence may go through can save you time, stress, and money down the road.
For all of our Colorado residents out there, cedar fencings’ main challenge is dry weather and freezing temperatures. It’s no secret that it gets incredibly dry in Colorado in the colder seasons. This dry weather can severely damage outdoor materials if not properly cared for. Brittle weather can cause splitting in the wood and lead to quick degradation throughout the season.
There isn’t too much a homeowner can do about low temperatures, but ensuring the fence has a good seal on it can certainly help. Winters in Colorado can fluctuate, with some being intense and others fairly mild. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to prepare your materials for the worst and hope for the best.
Choosing The Right Stain Or Seal
As we mentioned, choosing the correct sealants and stains will largely depend on the area your fence is located. In areas with harsher winters, fencing materials will require more coverage in terms of seal. Whereas in warmer areas it is not as vital for the longevity of the materials.
For cedar fencing in Colorado, we recommend a clear coat seal that’s built for winter protection. Clear coats are a customer-favorite due to the enhancement of cedar’s natural look. Cedar is known for its natural beauty and brilliant grains, and a seal is a great way to further accentuate its many qualities.
Other Factors To Look Out For
Beyond the physical touch-ups that the fence may need prior to winter, it’s also a good idea to check its surroundings. Things such as unwanted vines or weeds, large trees nearby, or even if it’s located in a wind tunnel area are all aspects to look out for.
Items like nearby shrubs can take a toll in the look and performance of a cedar fence. These plants can cause root damage to the fence or give unwanted moisture to the wood and cause rot and warping. Trees can also cause damage with falling leaves adding too much moisture and nitrogen, or even falling onto the fence entirely. The fall season is a perfect time to trim back these plants and ensure none nearby will affect the fence in the season ahead.
Upkeep As Needed
As always, it’s recommended to maintain these materials as the winter progresses. Of course a seal in itself will help immensely, but it never hurts to check up on your materials from time to time. We recommend looking over and cleaning your fencing materials every few months and check for any signs of damage or debris.
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