Why Did My Timber Fence Warp in Two Years?

In this post:

• Why timber moves in Queensland weather
• The four usual causes of warping and rot
• Hardwood or treated pine: what really matters

A new timber fence looks beautiful. Then two summers later, the palings are bowing, twisting and pulling away. Gaps start opening up. One or two have split.

In the reviews I read, this came up again and again. Homeowners said their palings and posts had warped, buckled or rotted within two or three years. Most suspected cheap timber.

They were often right. But timber quality is only part of the story.

Why timber moves

Timber is a natural material. It swells when it's wet and shrinks when it dries. In Queensland, with heavy summer rain and hot dry spells, it's doing that all year.

A well-built fence allows for that movement. A badly built one fights it, and the timber wins.

The four usual causes

Low-grade or wet timber. Cheap palings are often full of knots and twisted grain. Timber that's still wet when it goes up will shrink and twist as it dries.

The wrong treatment. Treated pine comes in different levels. Anything going into the ground needs to be treated for in-ground use (H4). Above-ground timber should be at least H3. Using the wrong grade is a fast track to rot.

Not enough fixings. Each paling needs to be fixed properly to every rail. Skimp on nails and the palings are free to cup and twist.

Posts sitting in water. If the concrete around a timber post lets water pool against it, the base of the post rots first.

Hardwood or treated pine?

Both can last well when they're built properly. Hardwood is heavier, stronger and more naturally durable. Treated pine is lighter and usually cheaper, and good quality pine performs well.

What matters more is the grade of the timber and how it's put together.

How we build timber fences

We use the right treatment for each part of the fence. Posts are set in concrete that's shaped to shed water. Palings are fixed properly to every rail.

We'll also be honest about expectations. Timber will weather and change colour over time. That's normal. Warping and rot in the first few years is not.

If you're weighing up timber against Colorbond, have a look at our comparison on the blog. And if your timber fence is already failing, send us a photo. We'll tell you whether it can be repaired.

Common questions

Is some movement in a timber fence normal?

A little, yes, especially in the first year. Palings badly bowing, splitting or pulling off is not.

What does H3 and H4 mean?

They're treatment levels for pine. H3 is for outdoor timber above the ground. H4 is for timber in contact with the ground.

Should I stain or seal my timber fence?

It helps slow weathering and movement. Let new timber dry out for a few weeks first, then follow the product's directions.

Keep reading

• Why is my Colorbond fence dented already?
• The part of your fence you'll never see matters most
• How much does a Colorbond fence cost in Brisbane?

Want a timber fence that stays straight? Call us on 07 2141 7748, get a price online or let's have a chat.