Building wood fences of all flavors and functions

KAREN WIGHT

The saying goes that “good fences make good neighbors,” and an

attractive fence is certainly a step in the right direction.

Building a wood fence doesn’t break the bank; it goes up quickly

and with a little ingenuity, it can add a lot of style points to your

home. A wood fence can be any flavor you choose: traditional, modern,

mission or Mediterranean.

A wood fence will not have the same lifespan as a stone, concrete

block or brick wall, but you can get a lot of mileage out of a wood

fence that’s built well and maintained. Here are a some pointers to

extend the life of your wood fence:

* The wood of choice is redwood. Redwood doesn’t rot and it holds

its shape better than other woods.

* Make sure the redwood posts are sunk in concrete footings.

Install enough support posts to keep the fence steady during wet and

windy weather.

* If you install landscaping next to the fence, make sure the

plantings don’t bear weight against it. Today’s sweet little

bougainvillea will become a monster in five years. And it has the

potential to topple your fencing masterpiece. If you plant climbing

vines, add extra support like metal posts or independent espalier

wires. Plants that attach themselves to a vertical surface like

creeping fig or ivy can topple a fence with their heft.

* Add copper or galvanized tin “toppers” to your fence posts to

help prevent water damage.

* Adjust your sprinklers so the water stream doesn’t warp the

wood.

* Coat your fence with a clear water sealant.

* If you have a gate in your fence, be sure that the support posts

are well anchored and your gate isn’t too heavy.

* If you have a pool, the gates need to have a self-closing

mechanism.

* Check for subterranean termites. These uninvited guests are your

fence’s No. 1 enemy.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Thursdays.