Use and Care Manual

Wood Fence Care and Maintenance Guide

Common Maintenance Concerns:

The continuous changes in weather conditions are extremely harsh on your fence. Your maintenance plan

must be geared to combat the problems caused by water absorption and water loss, mildew growth, and

discoloration of wood due to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. All of the maintenance concerns discussed below

are weather related. The degree to which your fence is affected by them depends on many factors. These

factors include general climate conditions (such as normal precipitation, humidity, etc.) and location in

your yard (with regard to direct sun exposure, foliage coverage, etc.). If your fence is built using pressure-

treated lumber, it is important to note that the pressure treatment does not increase the likelihood that

your fence will develop these natural defects to any greater degree than the same material left untreated.

These weather related defects are beyond the control of the pressure treatment.

Swelling and Shrinking:

Continuous water absorption and water loss in the wood used for your fence

will cause its natural defects to surface. The most common defects are:

cupping/warping, twisting, checking and splitting. A well maintained fence will

still experience some of these natural characteristics. However, the extent can

be signi cantly reduced through a maintenance plan.

Mildew Growth:

Should your Barrette Outdoor Living product prove defective under warranty,

reference the website or call the phone number listed below. Your problem

will be assigned a tracking number and an authorized Barrette Outdoor Living

representative will contact you to arrange a convenient time to schedule an

onsite inspection, or request pictures, if need be. If after inspection product is

deemed to be manufacturer defect we will make arrangements to rectify the

issue. You must have proof of your purchase in order for the problem to be corrected.

Discoloration:

Without any preventative steps taken to block the sun’s ultraviolet rays, the surface cells of the wood will

begin to discolor to a weathered gray color. Although some may prefer this, others won’t. If you want

to maintain the natural wood color, you will need to not only clean/brighten your fence periodically, but

also choose a water repellent  nish with an ultraviolet stabilizer. The stabilizer will not prevent eventual

discoloration, but will slow down the process. Periodic reapplication of a UV stabilizer will help in this

effort over an extended period of time.

Cup/Warp

Twist

Check

Split

PAGE 1
Wood Fence Care and Maintenance Guide Common Maintenance Concerns: The continuous changes in weather conditions are extremely harsh on your fence. Your maintenance plan must be geared to combat the problems caused by water absorption and water loss, mildew growth, and discoloration of wood due to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. All of the maintenance concerns discussed below are weather related. The degree to which your fence is affected by them depends on many factors.
PAGE 2
Initial Maintenance: 1. Start by cleaning your fence with a cleaner/brightener that contains a mildewcide. Because your fence is new, this step is truly preventative. 2. Next, apply a topical sealant for surface protection. Do not use a conventional multi-coat paint system or varnish. The performance is nearly always disappointing, and repainting often has to be preceded by scraping and sanding Instead, choose either a pigmented or clear outdoor wood sealer.