Composite fencing - does it fade
Aged fence panels require to be handled with a wood cleaner or similar preservatives. On the other hand, My Morden Garden composite fencing has been engineered to prevent rot and mould. Notably, with our unpredictable and ever-changing UK weather, our composite fencing doesn’t compare to the fading issues as traditional wooden fencing.
Fading & Tannins
Often most composite fencing boards will naturally fade in the first 6 months of being exposed to the elements. This natural process is as a result of the way composite materials are engineered.
My Morden Garden fencing is not an exclusion in this case. Such occurring when fencing is exposed to the elements, especially wet weather, tanning will begin to extract out of the boards. The process also identified as ‘extractive bleeding’. This is because fence panels are fabricated from 60% FSC certified recycled wood and 30% recycled plastic which are combined tannins, otherwise known as natural wood oils. Inevitably, fencing will appear somewhat lighter colour than installed initially.
Unlike decking, fencing is perpendicular to the ground resulting less water sitting on the panels meaning natural wood oils may vary from 8 to 16 weeks to wash out, slightly longer than it does for My Morden Garden decking. For instance, in some situations, when fencing is installed in dry conditions, the extractive bleeding process may take as long as six months. In lighter colours where the tannins give a significant proportion to the original colouration gives more remarkable change.
Watermarks on fencing
You may realise some marks may appear on your fencing, due to tannins leaching out of the fence panels. Often these marks appear after a period of rain, mainly if the materials have been installed over dry weather conditions. Do not be troubled marks should disappear after fence panels have been wet and dried at several occasions; for example, after a few rainy days.
At My Morden Garden we understand your outdoor space is vital to be maintained in the best way as possible; therefore we suggest to wash your fencing with water and let it dry several times to get rid of the marks quicker. Otherwise, tannin marks should go away after six months.
UV Protection
All My Morden Garden fencing contains a UV stabiliser. It is a natural process of extractive bleeding and the face panels are dependent on standard weathering, above all from UV rays of the sun. It is resulting in slight further fading over some time.
Summary
Our composite fencing is a substitute for traditional wooden fencing materials that offers low maintenance. At My Morden Garden we pledge our composite ranges will always hold their initial colour to varying degrees and will never be treated or stained.