When you’re in the market for a new fence and live in Canada, finding durable materials is an important factor to consider. Snow, changes in humidity, and changes in temperatures can damage common fence materials. Keep reading to find out the best fencing materials to use for your home that will stand up against the harshest conditions during the winter seasons.
Best Fencing Materials For Winter
Iron Fencing
This type of fencing is arguably the most long-lasting due to its weight, strength, and durability. It won’t warp, requires little to no maintenance, and can withstand the harshest conditions. Because of this, it’s on the pricier side, although it does have one weak point of developing rust if paint chips.
Steel Fencing
This material is quite similar to iron fencing in that it is powerful, heavy, and long-lasting. Because of this, they also tend to be on the more expensive side as well. Similar to iron fencing, it’s also more prone to rust compared to other materials. If you’re looking for a more private fencing option, this fence material lacks privacy so this might not be the best choice for you.
Aluminum Fencing
Aluminum offers similar perks to iron and steel fences, but they lack the same amount of strength. However, what they lack in strength, they make up for in affordability and easy installation. Although it’s less durable in terms of dents and scratches, it’s rust-resistant, unlike steel.
Vinyl Fencing
This material is waterproof and doesn’t require painting or staining. Compared to other materials, you might wind up saving more money over time due to the low maintenance associated with this option. Typically they also include an interior structure of aluminum for added durability and strength.
Cedar Fencing With Metal Posts
Sometimes, we don’t want to compromise the classic look of a nice wooden fence. If you’re willing to accept that their lifespan might be a little shorter than the materials listed above, a wooden fence with metal posts could be the ideal option for you. This option gives you the classic look you want, with the strength and sturdiness needed from the metal posts. Specifically, we mention cedar because it’s known for lasting longer than other wood materials, has a tighter grain, and has fewer weak points like knots. This option requires a little more maintenance, but it’s still manageable. Here’s a great resource on some wooden fence maintenance tips if this is the option you choose to go ahead with.
Tips To Keep Your Fence Lasting Long
- Trim branches that hang over your fence. As the winter seasons come around, overhanging branches can accumulate snow and ice. All this additional weight increases the risk of your branches snapping and falling onto your fence. Here’s a great resource if you’re looking to do the trimming yourself once your fence is installed.
- Avoid piling up snow on your fence. Doing this is a recipe for rust, rot, and other moisture damage. If there’s a large snow pile-up, the excessive weight can cause your fence to tilt or shift over time as well.
- Address damages or repairs immediately. Avoiding or delaying repairs is a big no-no for fence maintenance. Fixing repairs or issues as soon as you can will ensure that your fence looks amazing and lasts longer. This sort of maintenance includes keeping your fence clean throughout the year or doing a big clean after the winter season.
Call FenceScape Today
It can be hard to know for sure which fence material is the best for your property. If you’re having trouble deciding based on all the pros and cons we mentioned, contact the pros at FenceScape for your next fence project. We have decades of combined experience, serving the Ottawa-Gatineau region. We can help you with all your fencing needs (including deciding on a material)!
