How to protect garden fences: 'Inexpensive' method will 'extend the life of your fence'

Rain, wind and frost can all quickly damage your fencing, landing you with a hefty bill. Fences help to keep children and pets safe as well as protecting our privacy in the warmer months. This is why proper maintenance at this time of year is essential.

The longest fence in the world is a 3,437-mile barrier around an Australian farm, which costs $10,000,000 (£5,692,500) per year.

Thankfully, the maintenance bill for most people's fences is considerably lower. With this in mind, Suhail Patel founder of Luxury Screens has explained exclusively to Express.co.uk how to seal fences in order to protect them from the elements this winter.

Depending on the kind of fence, there are a few options available for sealing fences:

Old wood needs exterior nano-poly wood sealer, new wood needs storm system protector and sealer and general fencing needs ready-seal exterior stain and sealer.

Suhail said: "Wood sealants are generally fairly inexpensive but, if you choose, you can even make your own by mixing three gallons of motor oil with a gallon of wood stain and half a gallon of mineral spirits.

READ MORE: Houseplants that remove mould and condensation from your home

"Your fence should be sealed approximately every six months - to check if it's time to reseal, spray some water directly onto the fence; if the water sinks into the wood, it's time to reseal."

Before beginning to seal the fence, make sure that children and pets are kept away.

First, clean the fence thoroughly to remove dirt, sap, mould and mildew. Using a stiff brush, wash the wood with a specialist wood cleaner or with plain old soap and water and allow it to dry.

Once your fence is completely dry, prepare the sealant as per the manufacturer's instructions and transfer it to a spray bottle.

DON'T MISS'Brilliant' tip dries clothes quicker without heating or tumble dryer [INSIGHT]Banish ‘tough’ food stains from oven racks with 1 ingredient - ‘magic’ [UPDATE]‘How to’ grow the 'remarkable' mistletoe cactus [ANALYSIS]

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Place plastic sheeting underneath your fence and over anything in your garden that you don't want to be covered in a sealant which is pretty much impossible to remove.

Making sure that your face and clothing are protected, spray the sealant liberally onto both sides of the fence and leave it to dry.

Suhail added: "Sealing your fence twice a year shouldn't take long but will help to extend the life of your fence and save you on costly repair bills."

The majority of stains or outdoor paints in the market require a yearly maintenance coat to keep them protected and save them from peeling.

READ MORE: Sir David Jason's Buckinghamshire garden complete with topiary 'zoo'

Looking for a new home, or just fancy a look? Add your postcode below or visit InYourArea

Start off by cleaning the fence thoroughly and letting it dry. You will need a dry day to do this.

Spread an old cloth beneath the fencing and nearby surfaces to protect against any splatters.

Proceed to apply your stain using a roller or paintbrush. Work your way from the top to the bottom for each individual slat.

Let the stain dry and apply a second coat as necessary.

If you’re not keen on so much maintenance, composite is far more durable than its wooden counterpart, and does not require year-on-year staining, painting or sealing.

Composite fencing is completely weatherproof, does not rot and has exceptional wind resistance so worth considering if you want to reduce maintenance time and costs.

Composite fencing will last significantly longer than standard wooden fence panels.

Composite fencing is more expensive than wooden fencing initially, however, in the long run you are likely to save cash.