Fence Science
The Science of it All
How sun and rain affects your wooden fence or deck.
The two natural enemies of wood are the sun and rain. The Sun breaks down the surface fibers, causing the wood to shrink, weaken, and turn gray. Rain causes the wood to swell, eventually leading to breakdown of the internal fibers. Once this happens, the wood becomes spongy and weak. This same effect can occur with fence boards located in standing water. Even the daily cycle of morning dew and afternoon sun causes the wood to swell and shrink, speeding up the deterioration process.
Why does a wood fence or deck age without water seal treatment.
Obvious signs of trouble are:Grayed surface (sun, or UV damage)
Warping and cracking (water damage) Loose nails (a sign of excessive swelling and shrinking)Pressure-treated wood, as well as cedar, cypress, and other exotic woods, may be immune to insects but are not immune to the damaging effects of weather. Wood that is not protected often becomes unsafe in as few as seven years. Regular cleaning and water sealing extends the life of a deck or fence many times over. It saves trees, and saves you money over the long run.
Wood Checking
There are a few properties that are unique to pressure-treated lumber. All wood will have cracks or checks, but it is mostly noticed in treated posts,and is a part of the drying process. As tension develops in the wood due to shrinkage, the post splits to relieve tension. These splits or cracks called “checks” will not affect the structural integrity of the post. Checks are a natural part of the character of wood products. Keep in mind that a post that has checked will have less of a tendency to warp and twist.
Water seal treatment
This does not happen on every board or on every installation, but it could happen! Checking and UV damage can be avoidable, if the customer seals the fence almost immediately after the installation. Sealing your fence with a good quality water sealer doubles the lifespan of your fence.