Pro-Tip Tuesday: Installing a Snow Fence

Snow fences have many useful purposes especially in Ontario. Ski resorts use them to collect snow, home owners use them to protect trees and shrubs, the benefits are endless. To learn more about why we recommend a snow fence check out our last blog post with lots of winter tips here.

Once you have made the decision to purchase a snow fence, planning the proper installation will greatly improve the fence’s effectiveness.

Follow these easy tips to get the most out of your investment:

Before you install:

• Collect information on the weather characteristics in your area. You’ll need to determine the weed speed and direction and the average accumulated snow fall. Collecting this data will help you decide on the best position for installation. Snow fences should be placed perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction.
• Measure the area where you want to set up the fence, take the length and divide by 8, this is how many posts you will need. Now add 1 for each end – these are your anchors.

Design your snow fence:

• Keep in mind that you need to leave at least 5” between the fence and the ground, this will prevent the fence from getting buried early in the season
• A 4ft high fence requires the posts to be 8ft apart
• If you have concluded that your area is extremely windy, consider adding wood strips or ties to your snow fence as a reinforcement

Key installation notes:

• Be sure to bury the posts 1/3 of their height
• When setting up the plastic mesh, make sure it is pulled tight. If the mesh is loose it will sag and will not be as effective
• Stabilize the end posts! Use support wires to attach the mesh
• Attach the fence to the upwind side of the post to eliminate tearing through strong wind
• Check your snow fence often to make certain it is not damaged and still working properly

Don’t forget the purpose of a snow fence is to create drifts rather than prevent them. Use a snow fence to your advantage by protecting your property and planning an idea area to collect snow.

The best advice we can give is to hire an experienced installer. It makes all the difference in the longevity of your investment.

We are here to help! If you require any replacements or adjustments please give us a call at the location nearest you:
Roma Fence Brampton: 416-798-7566
Roma Fence West (Milton) 905-875-2801
Roma Fence East (Gormley) 416-213-7270
Roma Fence (Hamilton) 905-574-7662

Wood Slat Snow Fences starting at $48.00!

Resources

HowStuffWorks.com Contributors.  "How to Install a Snow Fence"  17 May 2011.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-install-snow-fence.htm>  09 December 2014.

"U.S. Fence." Snow Fence Installation Instructions. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2014.