About Fencing Material
Not too long ago, homeowners didn't have many choices when it came to fencing materials. There were wooden fences and metal fences, and that was about it. Today, however, thanks to technological advancements in engineered materials, homeowners have many different choices when it comes to fencing materials. It's easy to be overwhelmed by all the choices, but if you examine your needs before you look at your options you'll be able to make a wise decision. Does this Spark an idea?
History
The first fences in history were stone walls. Many ancient stone walls survive today, which shows how sturdy and lasting they are. From the Great Wall of China to the stone walls in Ireland and New England, people have used fences to mark off their property, protect themselves, and keep their animals safe. If you look at old stone walls, you might be able to tell why they were built. For example, in Stonington, a coastal area of New England, sheep farming was an important industry in the early 1800's. The stone walls in this area are tall and porous. They kept the sheep in their proper fields and used the local rounded cobblestones in their construction.
Function
Today, fences are most often used as property barriers and for privacy. However, as a homeowner you need to think about what function your fence will play before you decide what materials will work best for you. If your yard requires an aesthetic barrier and you don't have pets, a simple split-rail fence might work fine. If you need some privacy, an eight-foot fence would be ideal. If you live on a large piece of property, determine your fencing needs and the cost associated with them.
Types
Stone is a fencing material that is still available today. However, a stone wall is probably the most expensive type of "fencing" material available, and it requires a lot of labor to build. These days, stone is usually used for retaining walls rather than fences.
Wood is the most common natural fencing material because it's easy to work with, relatively inexpensive, and aesthetically pleasing. Installing a wood fence is definitely a do-it-yourself project, which cuts down significantly on the cost of the project. There are many varieties of wood fences from simple dog-eared fences to lattice-topped fences and more.
Block-and-brick fences are beautiful, but they are more labor-intensive and, therefore, more expensive. They will be sturdy, however, and give your fence a solid look.
Vinyl fencing now comes in many varieties. Vinyl fencing has several advantages over traditional wood fencing, the most obvious being low maintenance. Vinyl fencing never needs to be sanded or painted. Vinyl fencing is significantly more expensive than wood fencing and is more difficult to install because it is harder to cut and requires more post holes.
Composite fencing is a new product that combines vinyl and wood. This product was first seen in decking materials, but now it has made the leap to fencing. Composite fencing can be nearly indistinguishable from wood fencing, and it has a nice sheen to it that keeps it looking new. It will last indefinitely, but it can be quite expensive.
Vinyl-coated wood is another compromise between vinyl and wood. This fencing material retains the flexibility and easy installation of wood with the low-maintenance and clean look of vinyl. The installation is slightly more time consuming than regular wood, but you will save a lot of time in the long run when you never have to paint or treat it.
Metal fencing. Metal fencing generally comes in three varieties: aluminum, chain link and wrought iron. Wrought iron is the strongest and best looking of these three options, but it is quite expensive and labor intensive to install. Chain link is very inexpensive and lasts a long time, but many homeowner's associations prohibit it.
Considerations
Consider your climate when you choose fencing materials. If you live in a very wet climate, wood may not be the best choice. Wood rots over time, and the wetter it is, the sooner it will rot, and the sooner you'll be replacing the fence.
Also, it's important to consider your neighborhood. If you have a homeowner's association, check with their rules and regulations before you go to the trouble of designing the fence and ordering the materials. Even if you don't have a homeowner's association, it's plain good manners to check with your neighbors and make sure your fencing plans are okay with them because their yards will be involved in the project.
Benefits
One of the benefits of having so many fencing material choices is that you can meet you can tailor your fence to meet your budget, lifestyle, climate, and neighborhood needs. Each material has its pros and cons, so consider them carefully. Materials engineers are continually working on developing new materials to improve fence longevity, workability and price.
Tags: stone walls, Vinyl fencing, fencing material, fencing materials, wood fencing
