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  • Writer's pictureMidwest Fence & Gate

How to Maintain Your Ornamental Fence


Metal fence with yellow flowers behind.

Ornamental fences are known for their stateliness, durability, and safety. They offer an additional layer of safety and security to a property by warding off trespassers while bringing a sense of style and elegance to the surroundings. Outside the aesthetic attraction of this classical pattern, ornamental fencing has a handful of notable benefits over other typical types of fences. In addition to providing excellent visibility, it does not distort, degrade, or degenerate in a short amount of time and will not fast lose its quality.


With so many benefits these fences offer, it's crucial to maintain them to sustain a longer service life. As such, here is a comprehensive guide covering the aspects involved in ornamental fence maintenance.


5 Tips to Follow to Maintain Your Ornamental Fence Properly

Irrespective of your fence's material, you need to provide it with proper maintenance if you want it to retain its attractive aesthetics and make it last as long as possible. Regular maintenance is essential if you want to safeguard and get the most out of your investment in a high-quality ornamental fence, which could be among the more expensive fencing materials.


The following are some pointers that will assist you in maintaining your ornamental fence and ensuring that it continues to look its finest all year long. Make certain you’re getting the most for your money, and that your fence looks amazing for longer.


1. Regular Inspection Is Highly Recommended

You should comprehensively inspect your fence at least once every twelve months. During this inspection, you should examine it for broken hardware, missing caps, flaking paint, scratches, chips, and other damage. If any such issues arise, you should address them promptly before your fence may sustain additional degradation. This allows you to take better care of any cracking or rusting occurrence before it may spread or get worse.


You should contact a professional fencing services provider for assistance with the repairs if you encounter a significant issue that you are incapable of taking care of on your own.


2. Perform Sanding and Waxing Periodically

The aesthetic appeal of ornamental fences is a primary design consideration in their construction. You don't want it to have any odd attributes like becoming bent or discolored. Your fence may suffer ugly corroded patches due to damage induced by the weather, such as rusty spots produced by rainwater.


In many instances, you would have to rub rust spots with sandpaper and then apply a new coating of paint to the region that has been damaged. If discoloration or any other indicator of possible aesthetic concern gets spotted in its early stages, you can repair it conveniently.

However, sun bleaching and discoloration of your fence can be caused by the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Protecting your fence from the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays and keeping it appearing as good as new can be accomplished by waxing it.


A black metal fence with foliage around it and a walkway beside it.

3. Trim the Grass That’s Growing Around Your Fencing

No matter how much visual appeal they add to the area around your fence, plants and vines should be trimmed because they might cause damage. Plant growth can progressively erode your ornamental fence, which can cause the coatings of paints, wax, and other protective supplements to decay, leaving it exposed to rust. Once the summer is over, it is essential to trim any grass, plants, or bushes that may have grown near your fence.


If you wish to landscape around your fence, look for plants that will not cling to things or ascend up vertical surfaces, and keep the grass trimmed nicely. To eliminate the need for more care in the future, you could also treat the soil surrounding your fence with a weed killer. Alternatively, you can trim the plants to a length so they don't grow too near the fence by cutting back their growth. In this manner, you can retain the attractiveness of the plants while minimizing the inherent hazards associated with having them located too closely together.


4. Paint Your Fence Every Year

A new layer of paint and primer should be applied to your ornamental fence every year as an additional important component of the routine maintenance required to keep it in good condition.

Paint and primer create an efficient shield between your iron/steel fencing and other elements that can cause rusting, such as dirt and other pollutants. Do not make the typical error of selecting a paint designed for use on other types of fencing materials though.


The fencing expert that you choose to work with will be able to guide you through the paint choices and selection suitable for ornamental wrought iron fencing. Usually, primers and paints with an oil-based medium are considered the best for use on metal fencing materials.


5. Try to Avoid Getting Your Fence Wet

Undoubtedly, your fence will become wet if it snows or rains, but if you can stop any more water from pooling around it, it will last a lot longer. You'll likely need to water your lawn once a week to keep it a lush green, but you should make an effort to avoid wetting your fence each time you do so. The process of rusting and corrosion will get hastened by prolonged exposure to large amounts of water. Thus, it is advised that you never position your sprinklers so that they might reach your ornamental fence.



One of the perks many homeowners witness about ornamental fencing is its low maintenance requirement. Your fence will last longer and provide better security for your family if you clean it, fix any rust spots, and polish up the protective cover regularly. Midwest Fence & Gate, one of the leading fencing services providers in the midwest, is here to assist you with all aspects of your fencing project, from purchasing supplies, installing & maintenance to financing. Contact us today for any further guidance.


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