THIS SIMPLE DIY TASK COULD SAVE YOU THOUSANDS

With the cost of living crisis impacting us all, homeowners are keen to avoid the costly repairs that come with owning a property. With spring and early summer being the best time of year to paint your fence, fence treatment experts at Wickes share tips on how to do it – and how much money this preventative DIY task could save you.

Why do fences need protecting?

“Fences are essential. They allow you to enjoy your garden in privacy and provide security, keeping pets, children and your property safe.  However, British weather is known to give wooden fences a battering, especially in winter.”

“Proper maintenance can vastly improve the lifespan of your fence panels and reduce the risk of them succumbing to the elements in winter. Treating your fence with paint, woodstain or protective treatment will also keep it looking its best. Unprotected fences can be prone to mould and algae, and tend to go grey over time due to weathering and sun damage.”

Do pre-treated fences need treating too?

“It’s a common misconception that dip-treated and pressure-treated fence panels don’t require any maintenance. Although these are treated to avoid rot and fungal decay, you still need to treat them, just not as regularly.” 

How much does replacing a fence cost?

“Basic garden fence panels are relatively affordable, starting from £29. Although, taller and more intricately designed panels and things like gates are more expensive. Closeboard panels cost more than overlap panels, for example. And slatted panels offer a contemporary feel but cost more than £100 per panel.  

“But costs quickly mount up, especially if you have to replace them all. You’ll also need to buy posts and accessories like fence caps. Fence installation is a skilled job, and hiring a reputable team is not cheap. Don’t forget you’ll also need to factor in waste removal and clearing trees and undergrowth if these are impacting the fence. 

“Checkatrade estimates that all in all, replacing the average fence will set you back between £500 and £3,700. Expanding on this, from speaking to fencing experts across the UK, we learned replacing each 6ft panel of wooden post fencing had an average cost of around £220 while concrete post fencing was around £330 per panel.

“These fencing professionals estimated an average-sized terraced house garden (the most common style of home in the UK) has approximately 10 panels for which they are responsible. Therefore, replacing the whole fence might cost the average homeowner £3,300. But you could be spending many thousands if you have a large amount of fencing.

What treatment options are available?

“There are multiple options when it comes to choosing a fence treatment, with prices starting from just £8. Of course, treating the whole fence may take more than one tin. Paint and solid staining offer an opaque covering, while semi-transparent staining and oil allow the grain to be seen.”

How do I know it’s time to paint? 

“Some shed and fence treatments offer protection for up to six years but obviously, some fences get more of a battering than others. As a general rule of thumb, if you find water no longer beads on the surface of your fence, it’s time to paint it.”

How do you paint a fence? 

“Check the weather forecast and try to pick a dry, sunny day as this will help the paint dry quickly. You also want to start with a dry fence, so it’s best not to paint if it’s rained the day before. Also, avoid painting on a windy day as debris can stick to the fresh paint.”

Follow these simple steps:

1. Use a stiff brush to remove any dirt or debris. A pressure washer can be used if it’s particularly dirty.
2. Remove any old nails, screws or hanging baskets. 
3. Paint the edges and hard-to-reach areas with a brush.
4. Use a roller to cover the larger areas with a thick coat. A power sprayer speeds up the task if you have a lot of fencing. 
5. Allow the first coat to dry. 
6. Apply a second coat of paint.
7. Allow to dry. 

Why is now the best time for this DIY task? 

“May-June time is the perfect time to take advantage of the warm, dry weather and prepare your fence to withstand the elements this winter.”