3 top tips for protecting your composite fence panels this winter

Winter can be tough on your garden, so you’re probably already getting ready for it by completing all your maintenance now. A lot of your garden features will probably need extensive work to ensure they’re all winter ready, but your composite fence panels will be more resistant due to their makeup, especially if they’re ones supplied by us here at North Valley Composites. But while you can rely on them to stay resilient for years, that’s not to say they won’t benefit from a little bit of TLC.

We’re the UK’s leading composite fencing suppliers here at North Valley Composites. Our fence panels perfectly mimic the look and feel of real wood, giving a professional look to your installation, with the ultimate benefit of requiring no ongoing maintenance. Even though our composite products come with a 10 year warranty, and are by far the smart choice if you’re looking for a more durable alternative to timber fencing, winter is on the way, and you can never be too safe when it comes to protecting your composite features.

So, we’ve devised a list of the top tips for you to consider when thinking about how to add an extra layer of protection to your composite panels this winter.

Clear away any debris

Autumn is well underway, so there’s a good chance that you’ll have noticed your fair share of fallen leaves scattered around outside. Although this does make for a nice autumnal setting, fallen leaves aren’t the most attractive feature to have stuck to your fence panels, and they can cause issues if they fill the cracks between the panels.

We’d always recommend clearing away any dirt or debris out from between your composite fence panels, as this helps to keep mould and moisture from building between the boards. A soft brush will usually be enough to remove any debris from between your fence panels.

Keep on top of ice

Of course, we don’t expect you to be out every morning clearing away the frost from your fence panels during the cold winter months, as it’s not particularly practical (or fun, to be honest!). However, if by some miracle we actually get some snow here in the UK this year, at North Valley Composites we’d recommend clearing it from your fence panels, for the same reasons we pointed out above when talking about fallen leaves (moisture build up). A soft brush will probably be suitable for clearing away any snowfall, however any icy spots on your fence panels will require something a little bit stronger like a plastic shovel. As a side note – avoid using a metal shovel for this job, as this could cause damage to your panels.

Scrub away any stains and smudges

Our composite fencing panels are designed to look like wood, so ideally you’ll probably want to keep them looking that way! Due to the structural design of the boards, they shouldn’t require any harsh chemicals or power washing equipment to get them back to looking their best. However, bird droppings, excessive dirt spots, or particularly unsightly stains may require you to apply some warm water with washing up detergent to get them off. For the best results, use a bristled brush to apply the soapy mix and scrub away the dirt. When you’re finished, be sure to dry off your panels with a clean rag to reduce the likelihood of moisture build up.

As we pointed out earlier, our composite fencing panels are designed to be long lasting, so these are just friendly pointers rather than essential maintenance advice!

With more than 30 years of experience behind us here at North Valley Forge, we’re proud to stock a wide range of composite fence panels, accessories, and even composite wood gate boards for you to choose from. And if you need any help narrowing down your options, that’s what we’re here for. If you’ve got any questions or need any advice, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01282 677300 to talk to a friendly member of our team, and we’ll be only too happy to see how we can help.