Get matched with top animal fencing pros in Barrackville, WV

How long a fence lasts, including a split rail fence, will depend on the material from which it’s made. The average lifespan of a wood fence is about 15 to 20 years. However, split rail fences made out of premium materials, like composite, vinyl, steel, or aluminum, can last for 25 to 30 years or more, especially if you take good care of the material and carry out necessary maintenance.

While power washing isn't a requirement before you stain a fence, it can make the job much easier and faster while reducing manual labor requirements. The stain will not work if the wood is full of dirt and dust, so power washing, sometimes called pressure washing, is a fast and effective way to prepare the wood for staining. Remember that you need to stain or repaint relatively soon after the wood has dried so that there isn’t time for dust and dirt to build up again. 

Since wood is weaker when installed horizontally versus vertically, a horizontal fence is prone to sagging. You can prevent this drooping from happening by building a sturdier fence. Use softwoods that are more stable, such as cedar and redwood, or denser hardwoods for your fence materials. If you can’t afford these pricey materials, use thicker two-by-six pressure-treated pine boards or shorten the span the fence boards have to cover by installing more posts.

Black chain-link fences last an average of 15 to 20 years. The thicker a fence's wire gauge, the longer it will tend to last. The black vinyl coating gives the fence rust and corrosion resistance, but its life span may be lower in wet, humid, or coastal climates where moisture or salty air can corrode the coating more quickly.