Can A Fence Be Installed In The Winter

When you think about outdoor maintenance, you don’t usually imagine doing much in the winter. Mowing your lawn, tending to your bedding plants and many other things are all exclusively done in spring and summer. But when it comes to things like installing a fence, the time of year doesn’t matter quite as much. But can a fence be installed in the winter?

Provided that the ground is not frozen, it’s more than possible to erect a fence in winter. Moreover, there are lots of benefits to installing a fence in winter such as added privacy and sprucing up your garden when everything else is looking a little drab and dreary. 

However, there are some caveats to installing a fence in winter. For example, the material you’re using will impact the suitability for winter installation. Wooden fences can typically be installed at any time of the year, provided they are treated. But if you’ve opted for a vinyl fence, then it’s largely recommended to wait until spring or autumn.

This is because the weather is less severe and less likely to change dramatically which could affect how easy the vinyl fence is to install. If it is too cold then vinyl fences may contract, but more on that later!

Is It Cheaper To Install A Fence In The Winter?

Nobody wants to spend a small fortune on renovating their garden but installing a fence can be an expensive job. One of the things that attracts a lot of people to winter fence installation is that it’s often much cheaper.

The reasons for this are twofold. Primarily, contractors will be much less busy so they will be able to put much more attention into your job. This likely means that it’ll get done more quickly, meaning you won’t have to fork out as much if they’re charging an hourly rate. 

Additionally, you should keep in mind that fencing materials are normally cheaper at this time of year. This is largely because people don’t buy them as much and so, in order to make sales, retailers will put on special offers. Even contractors might have specials during the winter to attract more custom. 

How Cold Is Too Cold To Install A Fence?

It’s a difficult question to answer with one clear solution. That’s because there are so many variables when it comes to installing a fence. For example, as we mentioned earlier, the type of material your fence is made from will determine when is best to erect it. 

Trying to install a vinyl fence in very cold temperatures could mean that the material will contract. As the weather warms up, the vinyl may expand. The result of this is that the fence may not be as stable as you would expect. 

While it’s largely much easier to install wooden fencing in winter, there is one thing to consider. If the temperature gets too cold then you may have problems with the wood becoming brittle. When you attempt to hammer anything into it, this could cause it to split or break. 

Moreover, you must think about the concrete you’ll use for the fence posts. This mixture has to be at a certain temperature in order to set. As a rule of thumb, you’ll need it to be at no less than 3 degrees celsius if you want it to harden. And the temperature needs to remain this way for at least 24 hours. 

If you are in any doubt, keep an eye on your weather app and plan the installation for a time when you can feel confident that the weather won’t suddenly change. 

Can I Build A Fence When Ground Is Frozen?

When winter hits, it is not uncommon for the ground to freeze. Whether or not your fence installation project can continue in spite of this depends on several factors. For starters, you should keep in mind that the ground will only freeze once it reaches 0ºC. This may commonly happen over night but the temperature may climb again during the day. 

You should also check out how deep a freeze goes. In some cases, a short freeze may cause the surface to thaw so it may appear that everything is good to go. However, dig down just a short way and you’ll find that the sub-ground is frozen solid. At times like these, you’ll find it almost impossible to dig and install the fence. 

Even after the freezing temperatures have passed, you might still have problems installing your fence. If there has been a lot of snow, then this can make the ground very slushy and this will definitely interfere with your installation. 

If you have any doubt about what you’re doing or how the current conditions will affect the final result, it is best to call in the pros. They will be able to make the most educated decisions on whether it’s a suitable time to install the fence. If they decide to go ahead, they’ll have the experience to make sure that the job is done properly. 

Conclusion

Installing a fence in winter is not something that most of us would normally consider. Getting outside in the cold isn’t the most pleasant idea but in reality, this could be the best time of year to do this type of work. 

You’ll often find a lot of excellent deals on fencing materials and labour so it’s normally a lot cheaper. In addition to this, a new fence can increase privacy when your natural borders, like trees and shrubs may be a little sparse. 

Do keep in mind that when it gets too cold, you may have problems digging into the ground. Moreover, you must make sure that the temperature stays above 3ºC if you want your concrete to set.