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Action: Florida's environment takes toll on wooden fences

By Suzanne Palmer, Times Staff Writer
In print: Sunday, June 29, 2008

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Florida's harsh environment takes a toll on wooden fences

Q: In March we had a wood fence installed by Aaro Fence Inc. Almost immediately after installation, a lot of boards began to crack, twist, split and bend out of shape.

We called Aaro to inform it because we thought the wood might be defective. Its workers came out and replaced four boards, but the rest continued to deteriorate.

We called several times and were told we had to wait six months for the wood to dry. Well, in six months, there would be so many boards falling apart it would be pathetic!

Aaro refused to do anything for us so my husband replaced some of the boards himself and put nails in others.

We used this company because we'd hired them before and were pleased with their work.

Oke and Judith Hornfeldt

A: Aaro Fence Inc. replied swiftly to Action's inquiry, but its e-mail came unsigned.

Its owner is Randy Ballew, according to Florida Division of Corporations records. He is fully licensed as a fencing contractor in Hernando County.

You contracted with Aaro to remove and haul your existing chain link fence and install a new wood one.

"Two weeks after installation," the response said, "the customer called to say the wood was splitting and warping." A crew was sent out and "a post and about a dozen pickets" were replaced.

The company said the foreman also spoke with you to explain the curing process and ask that you let it run its course.

"The Hornfeldts did not listen, they began adding their own screws to the fence and replacing boards," according to Aaro. You also called on three occasions and made threats, the company said, but it did not elaborate.

Aaro's warranty covers material defects for one year after installation. It does not cover "splitting, cracking or warping; damage caused by misuse or abuse; damage caused by fire, flood, hurricanes, heavy winds or other acts of God." Your husband's addition of screws and replacement of boards would fall into the "misuse" category, I'm afraid.

"At this time," the company said, "Aaro Fence Inc. has done all it can to explain to Mr. and Mrs. Hornfeldt the process of a wood fence. It is beyond our control to make them listen and understand."

Florida is not your average environment. Its extremes of heat and humidity take their toll on natural materials.

I spoke to John Gavaghan, a fencing professional in Tampa since 1974 and member of the American Fence Association, an industry trade group. He said the No. 1 mistake consumers make when buying a wood fence is to forget the abuse it takes from the elements.

Because of this, Gavaghan said he knows of no fencing company that will warranty splitting, warping or cracking. These conditions can start almost immediately after installation.

The problems can be lessened by buying lumber no less than seven-sixteenths of an inch thick for your pickets, Gavaghan advised, and also by applying a wood sealant, stain or paint.