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      If you’re thinking a wood fence is just a wood fence, you’re setting yourself up for failure.  In 2003, the EPA banned the use of Chromate Copper Arsenate (CCA), a wood preservative, and replaced it with Alkaline Copper Quarts (ACQ).  

      Since the change, several problems have been discovered such as rusting of galvanized nails, staples, and tack nails at a rate 10 times greater then before. Additionally, this company has noticed that the thinner the wood, the more warping, splitting, cracking, and cupping occurs.  What does this all mean for you as a home owner? Simply put, use the wrong nails or wood and your fence will be a complete loss within three to six years.

When it comes to wood there are two basic types of assembly methods prefab (Panels) or stick built (on site).

PREFAB FENCING:  This method of building consists of prefabricated eight foot sections of fence. It uses 2" x 3" x 8' runners, 4" x 4" x 8’ line posts, 1/4" x 4" x 6' pickets, and they are attached by staples or tack nails.  You can usually find prefab fence at the home improvement or outlets stores. 

      The majority of Orlando fencing companies use this method because materials are cheaper and the skill set needed is limited.  If you’re looking for this method of building, we regretfully wish to inform you we are not the fence company for you.  If you’re still considering this method of building, please re-read the first paragraph and understand that this type of fence might not be best for your home in the long run.  A prefab wood fence will last approximately 4 to 6 years.

Stick Building or Onsite Building:  This method of building requires the fence to be put together piece by piece onsite using 2" x 4" x 8' runners, 4" x 4" x 10' line posts, 1" x 6" x 6' pickets. It is attached with double dipped, nickel alloyed  galvanized, yellow tip ring shank nails.  If you’re not familiar with a ring shank nail, it's a nail that has 50 reversed ovular looking rings that acts like a screw when it punctures the wood.

       A stick built fence will last approximately 15 to 20 years down the road both in splendor and longevity. It should be noted that most fence companies will use 4" x 4" x 8' for lined post, but we do not recommend this approach.  The main reason is the lumber milling companies has changed their methods.  As a result, we have observed that 4" x 4" x 8' are rotting out on one side within two years.  

    Stick building is a superior way of building wood fences. As a result, the material cost is slightly greater and the skill level needed is more in depth. 

Preservation of fence:  Regardless of which assemble method used the preservation of the fence will make all the difference.  Most damage to wood fencing occurs in the first six months to a year.  The culprit is the afternoon thunder storms.  Something as simple as an acrylic or oil based water sealant can make all of the difference.

Acrylic Based: Anything is better than nothing.  The downfall to Acrylic based water sealant, however, is it needs to be done annually.  It can leave a pasty look and result in time consuming maintenance to restore the original beauty.

Oil Based: The best thing for your fence.  Oil base protections seeps to the center of the wood and dries from the inside out.  As a result, the maintenance schedule is simpler and further apart. 

MESSAGE FROM THE OWNER:  Since the hurricanes, I have noticed a few more stick builders out there.  As a result, we have been cleaning up a lot of messes, everything from companies using landscape timbers for posts, 1/2" pickets, staples, 2" x 3" x 8' runners and board on board fencing with gaps. Don't make the mistake and end up with a Popsicle stick experiment in your backyard.  The best advice would be to ask the following questions.

1. What type of wood are they using?
   1. Pressure Treated Southern Pine is the best for our climate. Cypress is available, but most of it comes from up north and might be more costly. Understand there is a #1 grade cypress being introduced back into the market. Beware, A #1 grade cypress is cut from first or second generation trees. As a result, the rings are not as tight and must be pressure treated just like pine.  The other thing to consider is there will be pine bark and notes left on the lumber. 
   2. Avoid wood from other countries. Most home improvement stores purchase their wood from distributors whom import lumber from South America.  As a result, the lumber can sit in ship yards for months if not years and result in excessive cracking and warping. 
   3. Avoid wood mixed with plastic.  If you want long lasting fence, Vinyl will always look better, be maintenance free, and cost the same.
   4. Avoid prefab at all cost. Just take a drive around your area and look at the prefab fencing replaced since the hurricanes. You will notice pickets pulling away, excessive warping, splitting, cracking and cupping.  If someone tells you it's built on site, but the sections are assembled at the shop, it still a prefab.  Don't be fooled. 
2. What type of nails are they using?
   1. Double galvanized nickel alloyed yellow tip ring shank nails are the best. The number one mess that we clean up is the use of regular galvanized nails. Understand that with the new pressure treating codes, standard galvanized nails decay 10 times faster. Additionally, wood likes to move around, and if you don't give it a reason to stay in place, it won't. 
   2. Avoid staples and small single coated nails because they will rust quickly.
3. What is the thickness of the wood being used?
   1. When it comes to pickets anything under 1" thick is not good.
   2. Avoid 2" x 3" x 8’ Runners because they sag, bow, arch, and do not provide enough horizontal support. This type of wood is cut from the waste of the tree. 
   3. All gate posts need to be 4" x 6" x 10' to prevent sagging of gates. This is the number one area, people generally experience problems.
   4. All Fence posts need to be 4" x 4" x 8' and avoid the 3" x 3" x 8' round landscape timbers. It may seem cost effective at first, but as the old saying goes; try to save a penny, plan to spend a buck to fix it.
4. How many runners do they use; do they attach the runners to the post or go between posts?
   1. Avoid companies that use two runners. BAD, BAD, BAD!
   2. Avoid companies that go between posts because the fence will fall apart. Most companies using this method will not take the time to either rout the post or use the correct screws.  Couple this with the fact pressure treated lumber shrinks, you could have a mess on your hands.  
   3. The best is attaching the runners to the inside or outside of the post using ring shank nails.
5. Ask how many picket are use to cover an 8 foot stretch of fence?
   1. It should be 24 for board on board, 17 for stockade, and 24 for shadowbox.  Any less is not good because pressure treated lumber shrinks. For example, 1" x 6" x 6' shrinks to 3/4" x 5 1/2" x 5 5/8' and if someone is using less that means they are stretching out the picket.  The problem is that noticeable gaps will develop.
6. Do they pay their people by the hour or by the foot?
   1. Avoid companies that pay by the hour. Nine times out of 10, the company installing has limited skill set and a high turnover. The installers are paid equivalent to fast food workers.
   2. Avoid companies that use illegal workers or have an out of state license.
   3. Companies that pay by the foot generally keep the best workers in Central Florida.

   Final Note: Avoid any company requesting that the homeowner pull the permit.  If this is the case, the company may not have the correct insurance needed to conduct work within the municipality. Additionally, if a homeowner pulls the permit they assume all the liabilities for one year.  Lastly, make sure all of your underground utilities have been located or it could be a very expensive fence. Most fence companies have this capability and the service is free of charge.
   
   Paramount Fencing is currently customizing wood fences in the following Orange & Seminole County Cities: Waterford, Windermere, Oviedo, Orlando, Winter Springs, Lake Mary, Sanford, Winter Garden, Ocoee, St. Cloud, Winter Park, Casselberry, College Park, Clermont, Maitland, Longwood.