My neighbor’s kid still managed to find the one rough spot and got a tiny splinter, but hey, that’s part of growing up, right? As long as nobody’s getting impaled, I figure it’s fine.
I get where you’re coming from—sometimes “good enough” really is good enough. But I’ve started doing this thing where I keep a little scrap of sandpaper in my pocket when I’m out in the yard. If I spot a gnarly bit, I just give it a quick swipe. Not trying to win any awards for smoothest fence on the block, but it keeps the worst offenders at bay.
One thing I’ve wondered: have you tried using reclaimed wood or untreated cedar? It weathers better and seems less splintery over time (at least in my experience). Plus, if you leave it a little rough, it gets that cool driftwood look after a season or two.
Honestly though, unless your fence is doubling as a jungle gym, there’s only so much you can do. Kids are like splinter magnets anyway... they’ll find trouble even if you bubble-wrap the whole yard.
Honestly, I’m all for the “good enough” approach too—especially when you’re trying to keep costs down. I used to get really hung up on making everything perfect, but after a few years of home ownership, I’ve realized it’s just not worth the stress or the money. A few splinters here and there are pretty much inevitable, especially when kids are involved.
I’ve looked into reclaimed wood and cedar, but man, prices have gotten wild lately. Around here, even rough-looking cedar boards cost a small fortune. I ended up patching a section of my fence with some leftover pine planks from another project. Not ideal, but it does the job for now. They do seem to rough up faster than cedar though—definitely more splinters if you don’t stay on top of it.
The sandpaper trick is clever. I usually just knock off the worst bits with an old rasp I keep in the shed, but carrying something in your pocket makes more sense if you’re out there already. Might steal that idea.
One thing I’ve found is that sealing the wood (even just with cheap linseed oil) helps a bit with splinters and weathering, but it’s not magic or anything. Still, it stretches the life of the cheaper boards.
In my experience, no matter what you do, kids will find a way to get dinged up. My youngest somehow managed to get a splinter from our plastic playset last summer... go figure.
Anyway, as long as nobody’s getting seriously hurt and you’re not sinking tons of cash into constant repairs, I think a little roughness is just part of having a yard people actually use.
Totally get where you’re coming from—sometimes “good enough” really is the best way to keep your sanity (and wallet) intact. I actually love the character that comes with a fence that’s been patched and weathered a bit. Have you ever thought about leaning into that look, maybe adding a few climbing plants or even painting some sections? Sometimes embracing the imperfections can make the whole space feel more intentional and lived-in. And honestly, kids will always find a way to get banged up, no matter how smooth you make things... it’s like their superpower.
