We have been supplying premium composite fence panels and providing quality care for our customers for years. The most important thing we tell every client from the start is: Composite fencing is ultra-low maintenance, but it is not zero maintenance.
While you will never need to sand, paint, or seal it like traditional timber, your fence is still exposed to the harsh British elements all year round. Simple, regular upkeep is required to ensure the panels retain their long-term performance and pristine aesthetics.
The “Once a Year” Health Check: Expansion Gaps
Before you even pick up a bucket of water, there is one critical check you should do annually—usually in Spring. If you need a refresher on how the boards sit within the posts, review our comprehensive guide to panel styles and installation.
Why expansion makes or breaks a project
Composite boards expand and contract with temperature changes. A standard 1.83m board can fluctuate by a few millimetres between winter and summer.
- The Check: Inspect the ends of your boards where they meet the post channel.
- The Rule: Ensure there is visible space (approx. 3mm) to allow for movement.
- The Risk: If dirt or debris has jammed into this gap, or if the boards were installed too tightly, they may bow under pressure when the temperature rises. Clear any debris from these gaps immediately.
Routine Cleaning (The Simple Method)
Because fencing is installed vertically, it has a distinct advantage over decking: Water Runoff.
Rainwater naturally washes dirt down the board, meaning fencing generally stays cleaner than decking. However, if you have Grooved boards, you must ensure dirt doesn’t get trapped in the grooves, retaining water within the board.
Tools Required:
- A bucket of warm water.
- Household Washing Up Liquid (Dish soap).
- A soft Bristle Brush (Crucial to avoid scratching).
- A Garden Hose or Power Wash (on a low setting)
The Method
- Rinse: Hose down the fence to remove loose dust and spiderwebs.
- Wash: Apply warm, soapy water and scrub gently with your soft brush. An extendable car-washing brush is advisable for reaching the top rails without a ladder.
- Power Washing (Proceed with Caution): A power washer is excellent for cleaning, but it must be on a low spray setting (Below 1500 psi to be safe). Keep the nozzle at least 30cm away from the board. High pressure can strip the surface layer permanently.
Scratch Repair & Restoration
Accidents happen. Whether it’s a stray football or a garden tool scraping the panel, here is how to fix it:
Minor Scratches (Smooth & Grooved Boards)
If you have chosen our modern Smooth or Grooved finishes, minor surface marks are easy to handle.
Top Tip: You can use a soft wool brush or fine wire wool. Rub lightly across the scratch. This simple technique is often enough to blend the mark away without damaging the surface texture.
Deep Scratches (Wax Repair)
If you have a deep gouge or scratch that goes beyond the surface level, we do not recommend using heat treatment, especially on uncapped boards.
The Solution: We recommend using a Wax-Based Repair Stick (like those used for laminate flooring or furniture repair) that best matches your fence colour.
How to apply:
- Clean the area thoroughly to remove debris.
- Rub the wax stick firmly into the scratch to fill the void.
- Buff away any excess wax with a clean cloth to level the surface.
Honest Expectation: Whilst a wax stick is excellent for blending the damage and reducing the appearance of the scratch from a distance, please note that it will not make the board look brand new. It is a cosmetic fix to hide the eye-sore, not a structural restoration.
Painting Your Fence
Homeowners often ask: “Can I paint my composite fencing?”
Our honest answer is: We do not recommend it.
Over the years, we have extensively tested various paints on our decking products (which share a very similar formula and production method to our fencing). Whilst paint will adhere to the surface initially, our long-term testing has found that in almost all cases, the paint will eventually crack, flake, or cause maintenance issues as the boards expand and contract.
The beauty of composite is that it doesn’t require painting. Once you paint it, you are committing yourself to the very maintenance loop you bought composite to avoid.
What to AVOID (The Danger List)
Composite is resilient, but certain habits will ruin it.
Bleach
Never. Bleach is too harsh and will strip the colour pigmentation, leaving permanent white patches.
Metal Tools
Never use metal shovels or stiff wire brushes to remove snow or ice. They will gouge the surface.
Lean-To Pressure
Avoid leaning heavy items (like ladders or bags of soil) against the fence for long periods. While strong, constant pressure combined with heat expansion can cause bowing.
Wrapping Up: Protecting Your Investment
To sum it up, taking an hour or two a couple of times a year to simply wash down your composite fencing is a tiny price to pay for decades of a pristine garden boundary.
By avoiding harsh chemicals, keeping those expansion gaps clear of debris, and giving it a regular soapy wash, your fence will easily outlast traditional timber without any of the back-breaking sanding, sealing, or painting.
Got a stubborn stain you aren’t sure how to tackle, or looking to expand your outdoor space with matching materials? Our team is always on hand to help.
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