Laurice Constantine
Laurice Constantine, Founder at Casadar.
Trim Branches, Secure Objects, and Lock the Gate
Large tree branches colliding with fences during a windstorm are a major factor in fence collapse. To stop them from falling on your fence, trim any overhanging limbs in your yard.
Large yard objects may fly through the fence in a strong windstorm. Put patio furniture, trash cans, and other items in an enclosed space if you anticipate a windstorm so they won’t fly into the fence. To keep your fence from getting damaged, secure other items.
Use a strong lock to keep your gate in place if you know wind storms are approaching. Take your gate off the hinges and store it safely until the storm passes as a further precaution to guard against damage.
Proper Support, Wood Type, and Aerodynamics
You can take a few different measures to protect your wooden fence from strong winds.
First, make sure that your fence is properly secured to your home. You can do this by ensuring that the posts are properly anchored in the ground and that the fence panels are securely attached to the posts. You may also consider adding additional support to the fence, such as braces or crossbeams.
Another way to protect your fence from strong winds is to choose wind-resistant wood. Some woods, such as cedar and redwood, are naturally resistant to wind damage. If you’re not sure which type of wood to choose, you can ask your local lumberyard or home improvement store for recommendations.
Finally, you can also take steps to make your fence more aerodynamic. This can help reduce the amount of wind force exerted on the fence. One way to do this is to add a cap to the top of the fence posts. This will help to deflect the wind away from the fence. You can also trim any branches or foliage growing near the fence. This will help reduce the amount of wind resistance the fence has to deal with.
John Linden
John Linden is an interior designer at MirrorCoop Design.
Joe Taylor
Joe Taylor, Founder of PlumbJoe.
Remove, Replace, and Reinforce
1. Remove Any Massive Objects Near Your Fence Line
Trees and tall objects may fall during a windstorm. They may end up falling onto your fence. If you can, remove them. When it’s not possible, move them away from your fence line.
2. Look For Any Loose Posts
Your posts are the most vulnerable, making them the most susceptible to windstorms. Take time to remove and rebury your old posts, especially ones that are beginning to lift out of the ground.
3. Reinforce Your Fences
If you want your fences to withstand strong winds, it’s best to reinforce them. Reinforce them with concrete, metal, or wood. Make sure to dig deeply before securing your reinforcement.
Repair or Replace Worn Out Fences
Making regular repairs is a very important way to prevent any damage that can be brought to your wooden fence. You must do a thorough maintenance check on your fences before the stormy weather approaches.
If the wooden fence has loose posts or [panels], then chances are that it may be easily blown away by the wind. If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to get it repaired. In cases where the fences are too old and worn out, you should try to make a replacement for a sturdy fence.
Chris Heerdegen
Chris Heerdegen, Owner at OnDemand Painters Midwest.
Todd Saunders
Todd Saunders, CEO of FlooringStores.
Reinforce and Strategize
1. Reinforced Fence Posts
Ideally, wooden fences should use concrete footings for their posts to ensure maximum stability. Metal collars around the point where the post goes into the concrete can provide extra protection, as this spot near the ground is where most breaks happen.
2. Strategic Fence Gaps
Putting even a few decorative holes in your wooden fence, such as including a diamond pattern near the top, can be enough to dramatically cut the wind and put less strain on the fence.
3. Hedges
Put shrubs or tall trees on the upwind side of your fence to create a windbreak.
This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors’ statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.
