There are a number of good on line sources and home centers where one can browse a selection of fence panels in redwood, cedar and vinyl. The fencing is available in 6” wide, 8” wide and 12” wide individual pieces, and in 48” wide panels that will install easily on rails between fence posts.
Redwood and cedar pieces are found in 6’ lengths and some are manufactured with dog-ear clips at one end to give the top of the fence a classic garden appearance. Vinyl pieces are available with a radius top for an east-coast architecture concept that’s typical of white fencing.
The redwood pre-fabricated panels are made with 2”x4” frames that attach to the fence posts, and they are manufactured in rectangular configuration with a flat, uniform top rail. Vinyl panels are prefabricated with 2”x4” rails and are also configured with a flat, uniform top rail.
Determining the amount of fencing in pieces or in panels can be done by measuring the run, or length of fencing and multiplying this by the height of a standard fence, which is 72” or six feet. This will give the square footage of the fence, which is important when calculating the amount of sealer or paint that will be needed for raw wood fencing. The vinyl fencing does not require paint and can be washed when dust and debris collect on the panels.
Of course when painting both sides of a raw wood fence the square footage must be doubled to determine the total coverage area. Most wood sealer and exterior wood paints will cover approximately 80 square feet per gallon. A five-gallon bucket of sealer should cover approximately 400 square feet of fencing, or both sides of a section that is 6’ high and approximately 33 feet long. The ideal covering system for redwood or cedar fencing is one coat of penetrating wood sealer and two coats of exterior grade paint. Each coat should be allowed to dry completely before applying the next coat. If one is repainting an existing fence, the fence should be washed free of dust and debris and allowed to dry before painting.
Maintaining a fence in proper order is necessary to prolong the life of the fence and avoid costly replacement or repairs. A fence can be maintained by cleaning and sealing at least once a year. Clear sealer can be applied over the existing paint, or blended with paint to brighten up the entire fence.
