how to brace a fence against wind

You are probably here because you are wondering how to brace a fence against wind.

Protecting your backyard fence from the wind can be a difficult and time-consuming task. But it is an important step to ensure the longevity of your fence, and, ultimately your home. 

When exposed to strong winds, a fence can quickly become damaged and weak, leaving your home unprotected from the elements.

You can use steel posts to attach braces to wood posts, build a new fence, or reinforce an existing fence.

How Much Wind Can A Fence Withstand?

how much wind can fence withstand

Fences can withstand a lot of wind, but not all fence types are built with the same level of durability. 

The type of material used in your fence will determine its durability and strength. 

For example, a wooden picket fence is less likely to be damaged by strong winds than a wrought iron fence.

Many factors contribute to the ability of a fence to withstand wind: its size, design, and material composition.

However, there are some general guidelines for determining how much wind your fence can withstand:

Factor #1: Size

The larger the fence, the stronger it will be. This is because a larger fence has more surface area to catch and disperse the wind.

Factor #2: Design

The design of your fence can also make a difference in how much it withstands. 

chain link fence

A chain link or picket fence, for example, consists of vertical posts connected by horizontal rails or bars. 

These types are better at resisting high winds than fences that are designed with diagonal supports.

Factor #3: Material

If your fence is made of wood and has two-by-four posts, it can withstand winds up to 50 m.p.h.

If the fence has three-by-six posts, it can withstand winds up to 70 m.p.h. 

Steel fences are generally considered more durable than wooden fences.

But, they can still be damaged by high winds if not installed correctly or secured properly with anchoring hardware.

Tip: A fence that is made of wood or vinyl should be one of your first choices when considering a durable type of fencing material.

What Is The Best Fence For High Winds?

fence for high winds

The best fence for high winds? The one that doesn’t blow over or fall.

The best fence for high winds is one that is sturdy, but also lightweight, so it can hold up to wind without getting damaged. 

The best kind of wire to use for high winds is galvanized steel wire.

And that is because it will last longer than other types of fencing, and you won’t have to worry about rust or corrosion. 

You should also make sure that the posts are very sturdy and strong.

Tip: The posts should be made out of concrete or cement, and they should be set into the ground at least two feet deep.

Here are a few options when it comes to choosing the right fence for high winds:

Option #1: Wood Fencing

Wood is one of the most common materials used in fences. It is especially popular for high-wind areas like farm fields or backyards with kids playing outside. 

wood fencing

Wood is easy to work with and comes in a wide variety of styles and colors (depending on what you’re looking for).

It’s also relatively lightweight and easy to move around if necessary.  However, wood does not hold up very well in windy conditions. 

It often breaks apart during high winds (which can seriously damage property) or is blown over by strong gusts of wind.

Option #2: Steel Fencing

Steel fencing is a good option for high-wind areas because it’s much more resistant to damage.

Also, it can even help prevent the property from being blown away. 

However, steel requires maintenance and may need to be painted or repainted every year or two to keep it looking nice.

Option #3: Vinyl Fencing

This is another popular option that is lightweight and easy to move around if needed, making it perfect for backyards with kids playing outside. It also comes in a wide variety.

Steps On How To Brace A Fence Against Wind

brace fence against wind

You know the drill. You’ve got a fence to brace, and you’re wondering how to do it.

Here are some tips on what you can do to keep your fence in one piece:

Step #1: Measure The Distance & Secure Your Braces

First, measure the distance between the two posts of your fence and the bottom of the top rail. This will be the length of your braces. 

Then, add 5 feet for each side of your fence (a total of 10 feet). This will give you room for two braces per foot on each side of your fence.

Use wood screws or nails to secure your braces into place at each post (or parallel to where they’re already nailed).

Step #2: Look At How It Looks From Above 

If possible, stand back from the line drawn between two posts and look at how it looks from above when you’ve finished bracing it up.

look fence from above

This is what you want to aim for, if possible! 

Step #3: Brace Your Fence Gate

If your fence has a gate, you will need to brace it up as well so that it doesn’t sag or fall over when you open the gate. 

You may also want to brace the fence posts on either side of the gate to make sure they don’t lean outwards too much when opening and closing.

How To Brace A Vinyl Fence Against Wind

The wind is a natural part of life. But if you’re trying to protect a vinyl fence from the wind, you’re probably wondering how to brace it.

Yeah, We’ve all been there: a storm is coming, and the wind is blowing hard.

You want to protect your vinyl fence from the wind but it’s not doing much good if it’s just sitting there, being blown around. 

vinyl fence

Wind will cause the vinyl to buckle and twist, which can damage your fence and make it look bad.

Tip: If you have an older vinyl fence, your vinyl has likely deteriorated from age.

Below are some safety practices while bracing a vinyl fence against wind.

Make Sure Your Fence Is Correctly Set

Bracing your vinyl fence against the wind is an easy way to protect your investment.

The main thing you’ll want to do is make sure your fence is correctly set on its posts

If it’s not, the wind will push the fence outward and cause the vinyl panels to buckle. In fact, over time, your vinyl fence might start to look like a patchwork quilt! 

set fence correctly

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to keep this from happening.

Make Sure That Your Fence Is Firmly Connected

Make sure that your fence is firmly connected at each end with a metal bracket or post of some sort.

This will help to keep it more stable in high winds. 

Finally, install a tarp over the top of your fence to catch any stray raindrops that might otherwise be blown onto your vinyl panels during bad weather.

Make Sure You’re Using The Right Type Of Vinyl

Make sure you’re using the right type of vinyl for your fence.

There are four different kinds of vinyl used in fencing: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polyester, and polycarbonate (PC). 

right type of vinyl fence

These four types come in different colors and are intended for different uses; make sure you choose one that’s appropriate for your application!

Tip: If possible, install a bracing system under each panel so that it's secured against the wind, and luckily for you, there are different types of braces used for fences. 

How Do You Stabilize A Wobbly Fence?

You’re looking at your fence, and it’s just… wobbly. It’s like you can’t quite make it straight, but you don’t want to fix it. 

You just want it to be stable enough that you don’t have to worry about inviting the neighbors over for dinner.

Well, we’ve got a few tips for you! 

how to stabilize fence

First, have you noticed that your fence is moving on its own?

Then no matter how much you try to get it back into place, it will always go right back out of place after a while. 

So what do you do?

  • Make sure your fence post has plenty of support from the ground around it.
  • Always check for termites before putting in any new wood or metal parts on your fence.
  • Stabilize your fence with a post-setter.
Tip: Termites could as well cause damage to other areas around the house such as windows and doors, so always be on the lookout for them.

Conclusion

Many people like to have a fence or a wall around their lands. It can be a good thing to have a sturdy, well-built fence around your property. 

But you need to consider this important point first: Fences need to be braced properly under heavy winds. 

In case the fence gets knocked down, people will be at risk of getting hurt or even killed by the flying debris coming from the downed fence.

To brace a fence against the wind, you need to build up a strong framework.

Hopefully, this answers your curiosity on how to brace a fence against wind.