Want to make a wooden fence last? The trick is to keep moisture away, says David Doss, president of Expert Fence:
“A lot of people ask us to bury the fence boards in the ground, and we won’t do that,” Doss says. “People think that will keep critters out of their yard, but critters will come in anyway.
“The fence needs to be free and clear of anything that’s going to help it retain moisture—moisture control is the biggest thing people can do for longevity. Keep the grass trimmed below it, keep off ivy and other plants, and don’t have the boards come in contact with the ground.”
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This feature first appeared in the March 2011 issue of The Washingtonian.
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Sherri Dalphonse joined Washingtonian in 1986 as an editorial intern, and worked her way to the top of the masthead when she was named editor-in-chief in 2022. She oversees the magazine’s editorial staff, and guides the magazine’s stories and direction. She lives in DC.
