Simple Tips To Refresh Your Fence And Make It Look As Good As New Again

Fences offer customizable privacy options that add to your home's curb appeal, but they can look drab over time because of exposure to the elements. Skipping routine vinyl or wooden fence maintenance can add to the decline of your fence. It isn't a lost cause, though. A little cleaning and repair followed by simple refresh options can renew your fence without the expense of replacing it.

Clear weeds, debris, and unkempt landscaping to give yourself a clean slate. Then, power wash the fence to remove dirt and grime that makes it look dingy. Prevent damage to the wood by using a 25-degree tip and setting the power washer at 500 to 800 PSI if the fence is made of soft wood. You can increase the pressure to 1,200 to 1,500 PSI if the fence is made of harder wood varieties. If you have a vinyl fence, a PSI of up to 2,400 is generally safe. 

If you keep any of your landscaping, cover the plants to protect them from the detergent you use in your power washer. It's also important to check for people, animals, or other things behind the fence that could be hurt by a stray stream from the pressure washer. Wearing goggles while you work protects you from water and debris that might fly around while you clean the fence.

Once the fence is clean, it will be easier to tell if your wooden fence is rotting or has other damage you need to fix. Check the posts at the ground, which is often where they rot. Replace severely damaged posts and boards to restore the stability of the fence. Check for loose boards or nails that are sticking out of the material. Securing those boards strengthens the fence. You may also need to tighten or replace hardware or fix sagging gates. Once you address the structural issues, it's time to sand the rough spots to smooth the surface. If you plan to refinish the fence, you may also need to remove any peeling paint. 

Cleaning and repairing your fence makes it structurally sound and ready to refresh even more. Painting or staining your fence, depending on the material, is one option. Apply a primer that's made for the fence material, such as metal, wood, or vinyl primer. This helps your paint coat stick to the fence and last longer. For a wood fence, staining lets you change the color to give the fence a new look while still allowing the grain to shine. Seal the wood after you stain it. If you want to maintain the natural wood appearance, simply apply a sealant without staining the wood first.

You can stop after cleaning, repairing, and refinishing your fence, but there are also options to add decorative touches if you want to beautify your fence more. There are several creative ways to add height and extra privacy to an existing fence and give it a new look while blocking the views of nosy neighbors. Examples include wood lattice panels, metal fence toppers, and vinyl fence toppers. Adding fence post caps can also give your refreshed fence a decorative touch. 

Adding lighting to your fence creates a warm, inviting glow. One option is to choose solar light caps to the fence posts. You can also find solar fence lights that you attach anywhere along the fence. They typically include a bracket, screws, or adhesive that you use to affix them to the fence. Another option is to add decorative string lights along the fence. 

For the finishing touches, landscape along the fence line. Little touches add aesthetic value to the fence and can add more privacy. Plant flowers, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and climbing plants along the fence. If you don't want to plant directly in the ground, consider a container garden with decorative pots. You can also create mulched areas with river rocks or add a pathway along the fence by incorporating pavers.