The Official Blog of The Fence Authority

Questioning whether to repair or replace your fence? Many homeowners start out by weighing the costs. Repainting or repairing a fence is cheaper and easier than an all-out replacement—at least in the short term. Sometimes, replacing your fence is the better choice. Maybe your fence has worn out its welcome and will continue to need extensive repairs, or maybe you’d like to update the style or placement of your fence.

In this article, we’ll discuss tips for evaluating your fence’s true condition. You can then make an educated decision whether to repair your own fence, hire a professional to repair your fence, or choose a replacement fence.

Fence problems with easy repairs

Some fence problems can be fixed with simple repairs. Let’s review common issues with wood, vinyl, and aluminum fences that aren’t signs you need to replace your fence.

Common wood fence problems

As a natural material, wood can be a little more damage-prone than synthetic materials. The elements can take their toll, and insects, moisture, and other environmental factors may affect your wood fence. Signs your fence need repair include discoloration, warping, or splintering. If you notice these things, you should carefully inspect your fence to determine the cause of damage and if you can mitigate it with a solution like redirecting pooling water or exterminating wood destroying insects.

To repair your wood fence, you can patch small holes and cracks with wood filler or putty. For warping or more severe damage, it’s best to replace the affected boards or rails.

The downside of both of these repairs is that they will be visible, at least for a while. Wood filler can be concealed if you paint your fence but will otherwise show forever. A new board will likely look different in color but may weather in time to a similar patina as your old fence. If your fence will be painted after repair, neither of these options have drawbacks!

Common vinyl fence problems

While vinyl is a pretty maintenance-free fence option, some damage can occur, especially if your fence is subjected to the weight of heavy winter snows or hit by a vehicle, large piece of debris, or equipment. The biggest threat to vinyl is cracking.

To repair your vinyl fence, you have only one choice. If you see a crack in one of your vinyl fence panels, it’s best to replace the affected area. Depending on your fence, this could be an individual vinyl “picket,” or might be an entire section of fence panel between posts.

Common aluminum fence problems

Aluminum fences are very durable, but parts may need occasional replacement or attention. Like with vinyl, an accident may damage your aluminum fence. Shifting soil can eventually loosen fence posts as well.

A loose post due to soil erosion can be steadied with some backfill of either soil or gravel. To repair damage to an aluminum fence, you may need to replace a section or an individual rail. Some aluminum fence repairs require the skill of a welder.

To steady a loose rail, a t-brace can make the area stronger and more functional. Be mindful of the color of the replacement part being used if you don’t plan to paint your fence after repair.

When it’s better to replace your fence instead of repairing

If you find any of these repair options to be too daunting, you can always opt for a replacement. There are times when replacing a fence makes more sense because amounts of the time, money, and effort required to repair it are too great. If your fence needs a major overhaul, here’s a good rule of thumb: if you have to replace more than 20% of the fence panels or pickets, it’s time to replace the entire fence.

Keep in mind that replacing fence posts is also more difficult and expensive than replacing pickets or panels because the posts need to be dug out of the ground, and often, they’re mounted in cement. If you have several fence posts in need of replacement, consider an entire fence overhaul. If your fence is very old, it may have simply worn out its lifespan, and replacement parts may no longer be available from the manufacturer. With proper maintenance, your fence should be expected to last anywhere between 20 to 50 years, depending on the material. If your fence is older than you are, it’s probably time for a new one!

Damage isn’t the only reason to replace your fence. If your fence doesn’t provide enough privacy, isn’t high enough to stop your dog from escaping, or otherwise falls short of a necessary function, it’s time for a new one! Wanting to change the style of your fence is also a perfectly valid reason to get another. While replacing a fence is costlier than repairing or repainting, it’s sometimes worth it to get the fence you really want.

Maintain your fence so you don’t need to replace it!

You should always stick to the recommended maintenance for your fence to make sure it lasts as long as possible.

For wood fences, this often includes staining and sealing annually or every other year. Vinyl fences may only need to be washed off with a hose.

Maintaining your fence may also mean making careful choices about landscaping (growing vines on a fence may harm it) and checking your fence for damage regularly. By making small repairs when needed, you can extend the life of your fence so you don’t need to replace it.

Need a replacement fence in West Chester, PA or the greater Philadelphia area?

The Fence Authority has you covered with a full inventory of wood, vinyl, and aluminum fences and a team of installation experts.

If it’s time for a change, stop by one of our locations in Montgomeryville, PA, West Chester, PA, or Smyrna, DE, or contact us today about your replacement fence!