Wind- and Storm-Resistant Fences

Design for wind

• Posts set deeper on exposed lines
• Shorter spans between posts
• Semi-privacy or shadowbox instead of fully solid
• Heavier gate posts

Wet soil

Long rainy periods saturate clay and loosen posts. Concrete crowns and drainage help. See Post depth in red clay.

Trees

Have an arborist check large dead limbs over the fence line, especially on older oaks.

After a storm

See Storm damage repair and Fallen trees and insurance.

Material by material

• Wood privacy: solid panels catch wind; choose shadowbox or semi-privacy on exposed lines and use deeper posts
• Vinyl: quality reinforced rails resist wind; panels can pop out rather than break
• Aluminum: open design lets wind through; bends rather than breaks under limbs
• Chain link: wind passes through unless privacy slats are added
• Composite: heavy and stable; posts must be engineered for weight

Gates in storms

Latch gates closed before a storm. Unlatched gates swing and slam, damaging hinges and posts. Drop rods on double gates help.

After storms

Walk the fence after major storms, checking for loose posts, cracked rails and limbs resting on panels. Fixing small issues early prevents bigger failures.