Top Tips for Maintaining Wood Fences in Naperville, Illinois

For over 100+ years here in Illinois and the greater Chicagoland area, especially in Naperville, wood fences have been used to mark the boundaries of properties and enclose backyards for the safety and security of children and pets.

But it's not just about boundaries, safety and security.

Wood fences are well known for significantly enhancing your Naperville home's overall aesthetic curb appeal while dramatically transforming your outdoor living space.

Not only will a new wood fence change the look and feel of your home, but in many cases, we have found that these home improvement upgrades can significantly increase your home's property value, which can be incredibly valuable if you plan to sell your home in the next few years.

Here are a few things to consider if you plan to have a local Naperville Fence Company install a new wood fence in your backyard.
Remember that the ever-changing seasons in Illinois will require you to provide your fence with extra care to properly maintain it over the years.

The maintenance required to keep a wood fence in tip-top shape is sometimes challenging for homeowners, so if you're unsure you're up for the task, you might want to also look into our maintenance-free vinyl options​ while you're getting estimates for your upcoming home improvement project.

As the seasons cycle through, spring, summer, fall, and winter in Naperville, the fluctuating temperatures and harsh weather conditions such as heavy rains and snowfalls can take a toll on your new wood fence, thus requiring an additional level of care to maximize the lifespan and integrity of your fence.

We've compiled this article as a comprehensive guide on effectively maintaining your wood fence in Naperville's unique weather conditions, outlining tips and tricks to keep your wood fence looking new for many years.

So, you live in Naperville and are considering purchasing a new wood fence for your backyard to increase your home's overall curb appeal and value.

But with so many wood fences (wood species) available within the fence industry nowadays, how do you know which is best for you? Answering this question may be the most critical decision during the fence-buying process.

Choosing the right type of wood fence is more than just an aesthetic preference or cost savings decision. It's ultimately a decision about which kind of wood species will hold up best against the harsh weather conditions in Illinois.

We face changing seasons here in Naperville (spring, summer, fall, winter), each having its own harsh elements that will severely impact the lifespan of your fence, mainly if you use the wrong type of material.

Please be mindful that many local fence companies in Naperville and the surrounding suburbs will attempt to sell you cheap wood to make a quick sale, with no regard to how well the fence will perform over the years.
I know it's tempting, but you cannot let cost be the only deciding factor as you plan for your next fence installation. In most cases, cheaper usually doesn't mean better, so please be aware, as you see significant differences in price ranges from each fence company, there is usually a good reason for it, such as the type of fence materials (species) used for your project.

How will you determine which wood fence materials are suitable for you?

We recommend getting 3-4 fence estimates (we hope Cedar Mountain is one of them) and asking each estimator what type of wood they suggest for your upcoming fence installation. You must select the correct type of wood fence, especially if you plan to live in your home for a long time and want the fence to last for many years.

Please keep in mind not all wood species are created equal. As we mentioned already, due to the rapidly changing seasons in Naperville, certain types of wood will hold up better than others.

For instance, some wood, like cedar, will last longer than other wood species, such as pine or spruce, less commonly used in the fencing industry throughout the Midwest.

Cedar is the preferred choice for homeowners in Naperville because, in most cases, depending on where it comes from, it usually contains natural oils that make it resistant to rot, decay, and insect infestation. It also is less prone to warping from the significant changes in moisture we face here in Illinois.

Whether installing a new wood fence or trying to maintain an existing one, you will want to consider the benefits of weatherproofing treatments such as stain or sealant.

Please remember that most fence companies do not provide this service. Hiring a handyperson to complete this work is the most cost-effective solution if you want to avoid taking on the task yourself.

It's helpful to remember that fence stain treatments come in various colors, allowing you to maintain the natural look and feel of how the wood fence material looked when it was initially installed in your backyard.

But stain treatments are more than just aesthetic upkeep and maintenance for your wood fence; they are also well known for adding an extra layer of protection against the complex climate changes in Naperville, IL, and the surrounding suburbs of the greater Chicagoland area.
On the other hand, you may choose to use a sealant, which, in most cases, is clear (transparent by nature) but also offers many benefits.

Wood fence sealants often provide protection against moisture buildup (think heavy April rainfalls) and, simultaneously, shield against the harsh UV rays (think hot Summer days) that can ultimately severely damage your new wood fence.

Remember, unlike a maintenance-free vinyl fence, depending on the climate changes over the years, you most likely will need to apply stains or sealant treatments every 2-3 years to maximize the lifespan of your wood fence.

The most important part to remember about the process is that you must ensure that the wood fence is completely dry before applying stain or sealants so that the treatment can soak deeply into the heart of the wood.

Suppose you need more than staining or applying sealant treatments when upkeeping and maintaining your wood fence. To preserve the beauty of your wooden fence in the backyard, it's essential to regularly clean it and remove any dirt, mold, or discolorations.

Over time, you will notice that the surface of your wood fence may be covered in a thin layer of dirt, which is very common here in Naperville due to the rapidly changing seasons throughout the year driven by the elements such as rain and snow we find here in the Chicagoland climate.

To remove this grime from your fence, in most cases, you can use a regular garden hose and spray attachments to rinse the dirt off the fence. You will want to get out in the backyard a few times a year and rinse off the fence to keep it looking nice and new.

In more severe cases, you may even want to use a pressure washer, but be careful to use a low-power setting to not accidentally strip away a layer of wood or damage the fence using too much power.
Suppose your wood fence has areas covered with more stubborn stains. In that case, consider using a wood cleaner (which can be found at the local hardware store like Home Depot or Ace Hardware) or a mixture of water and mild detergent to scrub away the layer of filth in these more problematic areas. You'll have to add some elbow grease to remove these more difficult stains from your fence.

While cleaning the fence at least once or twice a year will not have a significant impact on extending the life expectancy of the fence, it will, however, improve the overall appearance of the fence over the years.

Also, regular cleaning like this allows you to get up close and inspect the fence for any signs of damage or deterioration so that you can make necessary repairs before things worsen.

If you plan to live in your Naperville home for more than 5-10 years, then you will want to do everything you can to extend the lifespan of your wood fence. Owning a wood fence means you must inspect it frequently and learn appropriate ways to maintain and care for it. The key to prolonging the life expectancy of your fence is to make simple repairs along the way before they become more significant issues.

But every wood fence will age at different speeds and have different types of wear and tear over the years. You should walk the yard every 6-12 months and look for cosmetic issues (boards and pickets) and structural problems (posts and rails).

Naperville and the surrounding suburbs of the greater Chicagoland area are well known for harsh climate changes, especially between summer and winter.

With the rapidly changing seasons, it is not uncommon for boards and pickets to warp over time and, in many cases, even chip or crack. If you catch these issues early enough, it can be as simple as changing some pickets here and there to keep your fence looking nice and new.

Fence posts, on the other hand, are another story. Posts are the primary structural support of the fence, so you want to make sure that if you start to have issues here, you take immediate action.
So, what should you be looking for regarding the health of your fence posts? You need to inspect them and ask yourself a few questions:

Are the fence posts starting to rot, decay, or deteriorate where the fence posts meet the ground?
Are the fence posts beginning to come out of the ground (also called post-heaving)?
Is the fence starting to lean in certain places because posts give way?

If the answer is yes to any of the questions above, then it might be time to replace one or more fence posts to ensure that your fence will continue functioning for many years.

You will want to contact a local fence "repair" company (remember that most fence companies do not offer repair services), excavate the old post out of the ground, bring in a fresh new one, and set it in concrete while reconnecting it to the existing fence. Changing out and repairing rotten fence posts will maximize the fence's lifespan.

One final note on gates, which tend to get more use than any other part of the fence. You will want to ensure your gate hardware does not get loose or rust out over time. If you notice your gate needs to be fixed, it is recommended to get this fixed immediately to ensure you don't have long-term costly problems.

If you take care of your wood fence along the way and make necessary repairs when things aren't that bad, you will save yourself a lot of money in the long run.

As mentioned in the previous section, if you plan to install a wood fence, you will likely experience normal wear and tear issues such as rotting or decay, cracked or chipped boards, and leaning or heaving posts.

It's important to understand that the problems you're facing with your wooden fence are typical for homeowners in Naperville and the surrounding suburbs of the greater Chicagoland area because of the unique climate changes we face year-round (think spring, summer, fall, and winter). Between the moisture and temperature changes, the wood can only last for so many years under these rapidly changing weather conditions we face in Illinois.

When taking preventative care of your wood fence, the most critical part of the process is immediately taking action when you find deterioration that needs repair to prevent further damage down the road. Making regular and timely repairs is critical to extending the lifespan of your fence for many years to come.

If you notice that certain parts of the fence are starting to rot, like pickets, boards, or posts, that is a sign that it's time to remove and replace specific fence components. The question now is, who is going to do the repairs?

Pickets are by far the most straightforward repairs. In most cases, you can obtain materials from your local hardware store (many fence companies do not sell material to the general public), remove them quickly, and replace them yourself with minimal tools and expertise.
But if the structural components, such as 2x4's or the posts themselves, start having issues. In that case, you should contact a local fence repair company unless you consider yourself a handy person. Please remember that most fence companies do not offer repair services, so you will want to contact an actual "repair" company or local handyman.

Rotting 2x4s will require the fence to be disassembled from the posts and pickets, which is a bit more complex for the average homeowner. It can be done, but it might be a more time-consuming and labor-intensive task than you prefer to personally take on at this time.

Now, replacing fence posts is a whole other type of fence repair work. In most cases, replacing fence posts is a job that goes beyond the average homeowner's skill set. Fixing a fence post that has gone bad requires removing the fence section connected to the post itself, digging a large hole around the affected area, breaking and excavating the existing concrete, and installing a new post while pouring new concrete to secure it again.

At the end of the day, being proactive and adequately maintaining and repairing your fence along the way will prevent major problems from arising and, ultimately, will maximize the life expectancy of your fence, saving you money in the long run.

It would help if you also kept in mind that beyond staining and painting, other weatherproof sealants, the resilience and durability of your wood fence can seriously be undermined by insects like termites, who, at the end of the day, are on a mission to build a home in your wood fence and ultimately destroy it.

You will want to use a specific kind of pesticide that is designed explicitly for outdoor wood use and is safe for pets and children and preemptively apply it regularly to avoid termite infestation. We can't stress this enough: Be careful with these types of applications. Talk to a professional at your local hardware store and purchase the solution that will get the job done without putting your kids or pets at risk.

Make sure you read the instructions carefully when using pesticides. You will want to apply the solution to the wood fence primarily in areas that come in contact with the ground, trees, or any other location prone to significant moisture. Wet areas are termite breeding grounds, especially on your wood fence.
​Depending on your pesticide solution, you might have to reapply the application to the wood fence after heavy rain, as the solution can become less valuable with lots of precipitation. While it does soak into the wood fence when applied (make sure to use it when the wood is completely dry). At the same time, more and more rain can eventually render it ineffective over time.

But depending on where you live in Naperville and the product guidelines, this may or may not be necessary for your specific use case. It depends on your property, landscaping such as trees and bushes near the fence, and if you have areas of land that pool water near the wood fence, especially where the fence posts go directly into the ground.

Any time you're trying to maximize the lifespan of your fence, whether you're painting, staining, sealing, repairing, or applying pesticides, you must get up close and personal for an inspection regularly. We recommend that you walk the yard and look for any signs of insect infestation every 6-12 months at a minimum so that you can catch the issues before they become more severe.

Suppose you live in Naperville, IL, or the surrounding suburbs of the greater Chicagoland area. In that case, you will face our unique environment that produces many seasonal challenges when maintaining your wood fence. Depending on the time of year, you will want to make additional preventative care maintenance efforts to ensure you maximize the lifespan of your wooden fence.

Every couple of years or so, we face harsh weather conditions during our winter season. Elements such as snow and ice can cause your wood fence to expand and contract, leading it to crack under these changing weather situations. Before the first significant snowfall, make sure that you seal any major visible cracks so that moisture does not seep into the wood fence and sit there for those long winter months.

Then, as spring arrives, the snow begins to melt away. While this thawing occurs, the wet ground becomes saturated, leading to issues with the fence posts, ultimately affecting their strength and long-term stability. Please keep a close eye on where the fence posts go into the ground, and make sure they are not sitting in large pools of water for long periods. Nothing is worse than letting your wood fence posts sit in standing water. If you're having issues, we suggest that you contact a local landscaping company to have them perform work to redirect how the water flows in your backyard.
In Illinois, we sometimes face intense heat waves during summer as well, which can cause the wood to, once again, begin to expand, drying out the fence material and leading to additional problems with your wood fence. While you can't stop the extreme weather changes, you can change how you care for your fence. Summer is a great time to walk the yard and look for visible signs of wear and tear from our distinct weather conditions, and usually, the best time of the year to have repairs completed as well.

Ultimately, you must take preventative care and change your maintenance routines to ensure you protect the wood fence to the best of your ability as the seasons change here in Naperville.

So you're considering painting or staining your new wood fence but are trying to decide which option is right for you. Remember that both can provide a very effective protective layer. Still, each comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

While painting wood fences is less common, especially in Naperville, it offers the broadest selection of colors available. At the same time, it does provide a thick layer of protection for your wood fence. But it would help if you kept in mind that the downside of paint is that it's more likely to chip or peel over time, leading to more maintenance throughout the wood fence's lifespan, requiring you to continually re-paint every few years with frequent touch-ups.
Most people in Illinois prefer to stain their wood fence because it is well known to penetrate deep into the wood fence material and won't form a peeling layer or chip over time. You will still have to stain your fence every 2-3 years to keep it looking fresh and new, but it will be less work than maintaining a painted fence. The main downside to stain is that far fewer color options are available.

If you are looking for a unique color to match the exterior of your Naperville home, you should have your next fence painted. But if you desire less maintenance over time and color options are less important, consider staining your fence. Ultimately, you must decide what is more important: color options or maintenance requirements.

After installing your new wood fence, pay close attention to how water traverses through your yard after a heavy rainfall. You need to ensure that the water is properly draining away from the fence in your backyard.

If you notice areas in your backyard that pool water around certain parts of the fence, especially where fence posts go into the ground, you must improve how water moves and drains away from the fence.

If you're having issues with water pooling around where the fence meets the ground, consider doing some landscaping.

We've seen some customers install ornate gravel or stones near the base of the fence, allowing water to drain more easily into the soil around that part of the fence.
In severe cases, you may even need professional landscapers to come in and change the grade of the ground around the fence, ensuring it slopes away from the fence line and improves drainage of excess water.

Also, if you had a sprinkler system before installing the wood fence, ensure it doesn't regularly spray water directly onto it. You may need your sprinkler system company to move heads in certain zones if water beats against the fence in certain areas.

Remember, water is the enemy of wood fences because it leads to rotting, mold growth, and warping at the end of the day.

Regular inspection can help you identify and fix moisture-related issues before they destroy your new fence. Remember, you must avoid standing water around your fence at all costs, especially where fence posts go into the ground.

So you've done all you can for your wood fence, and despite your best efforts to provide proper maintenance, things got more complicated than anticipated, and you are overwhelmed.

It may be time to consult a fence specialist, and the good news is many local Naperville fence companies can help address most of your concerns and issues at a reasonable cost.

Please remember that most major fence companies only offer repair and maintenance services for the fences they installed for "their" customers. That is important to understand, as each fence company carries different types of fence materials and, in many cases, will not be able to service your fence that was installed by another company.
If you're looking for general fence repair work and recently moved into the home or didn't know which company installed the fence. In that case, you should contact a local fence repair company.

Contact your local fence repair company and see what services they offer, as each will differ depending on the work you're requesting. As discussed earlier, most fence experts can provide specialized treatments, like sealing, staining, or painting the fence. Also, they can help you if your fence starts to have structural issues, like rotting posts, and even in more severe cases, they can replace entire sections of the fence as well.

As the new wood fence owner, you must understand that there will be additional maintenance costs along the way. However, professional intervention can significantly extend your fence's lifespan and save you money in the long term.

In summary, maintaining a wood fence in Naperville's climate requires paying close attention to detail and providing frequent and regular care.

Selecting the correct type of wood, performing seasonal maintenance, and tackling urgent repairs will ensure that your fence remains functional and aesthetically pleasing for a long time.

So don't delay—implement these tips and tricks today to ensure your fence withstands the test of time and nature.

Following these tips, you can transform fence maintenance from a daunting task into a manageable, even satisfying, home improvement project.

Your fence doesn't just define your property; it also reflects the care and value you invest in your home.

Keep it strong and beautiful, and it will reward you with lasting durability and curb appeal.