6 Signs It’s Time For A New Fence

Fed up with repairs? Wondering if it’s time for a new fence or if you should put it off for a bit longer?

Fences are designed to last. But – unless you’ve already made the switch to composite fencing – there will come a time when deteriorating panels become a drain on both time and money.

Here the team at Modern Garden highlight six tell-tale signs that it’s time to invest in a replacement fence – and why the smart money is being spent on composite!    

Signs your fence needs replacing

1.    It’s leaning

Fence panels are ideal for securing boundaries and separating your land from your neighbours, but if anything is going to put a strain on neighbourly relations, it’s a leaning fence.

Not only do leaning panels impact security, reduce privacy, and look untidy, they also encroach on space. Which, if they’re tilting toward your neighbour’s side, is unlikely to go down well.

Strong winds can be a factor, but leaning is often a sign that panels have weakened with age and are ready for replacement.

2.    Broken or missing panels

Cracked panels, or worse still, missing panels, should be dealt with immediately – especially if you have young children or pets.

Breaks and splintering can pose a safety hazard, and resulting gaps in the fence may provide holes large enough for youngsters and animals to fit through. 

Replacing individual panels is an option. However, if numerous breaks and cracks are appearing all over, it’s an indicator that the fence is ready to be replaced.

3.    There are signs of rot

Rot is a common problem with wooden fencing, as this blight can quickly take hold.

Regularly applying wood treatments and preservatives will help to fend the issue off and extend the lifespan of wooden panels.

Once rot or insects are present, though, it’s often difficult to irradicate the problem fully – and both the condition and appearance of your fence are likely to deteriorate quickly. 

4.    It’s losing its colour

Fading is a major bugbear with wooden fencing.

Whether treated or painted, the colour will fade over time, and painted panels may also begin to flake. 

To maintain a well-presented fence, you usually need to paint or retreat the wood every 12 months.

There’s no denying this is a chore, but it will help to protect the panels and also to keep the colour.

That said, the point will still come when all the treatments and stains in the world can’t restore the original lustre and paint will stop covering well.

At this point, it’s time to put down the paintbrush and invest in new fencing.

5.    Storm damage

Severe weather can really take its toll on a wooden fence. Storms and strong winds wreak havoc on panels, causing them to break, crack, or even blow out of place completely.

This usually happens because of poor fence installation or a bad design. For example, if your garden is very exposed, opting for composite fencing over wood for its increased strength is a much better idea.

So, too, is considering slated or decorative fencing, as this offers less wind resistance.

6.    It’s becoming a financial drain

Think back over the last few years – how much have you spent on fence repairs?

If the bill is starting to mount up, take this as a sign that it’s time to start again.    

Replace with composite fencing

Whilst no fence is designed to last forever, replace wooden fencing with composite fencing and you’re onto a winner straight away.

Quick and easy to fit, composite panels will slide easily into place using your existing posts.

Thanks to the highly durable characteristics of composite, you also can banish any concerns about fading, splintering, rot, or easily broken panels.

Add to this the fact that composite fence panels don’t need painting – ever! – or require specialist treatments, and it sounds good, doesn’t it?

So, if your fencing has seen better days, why not make the switch to composite fencing?  

Shop our range of composite fencing now. Or if you have any questions about replacing your existing fence for composite and would like to talk to a member of the team, call us on 01695 557 711 or fill in our contact form and we’ll be in touch soon.