Choosing Your Fence Materials for Construction
They say that good fences make good neighbors and in many cases that’s probably true. There are many reasons you may want to construct a fence on your property. Maybe you are looking for privacy or security. Maybe you want to keep pets or children in the yard or other people’s pets out of your yard. By first considering what you want from a fence you are more likely to pick a fence style that meets your needs as well as your landscape plans.
A good place to start when deciding on the type of fence you want is at- or look around your own neighborhood to see what others are using. In doing your research,you will see several different types of fences. Some will provide more privacy and security than others. Some are more aesthetically pleasing than others. You will want to consider how the fence looks on the outside as well as how it looks on the inside because a fence may be beautiful from your perspective but rather unattractive from your neighbor’s viewpoint.
Constructing your own fence is really not that difficult with proper planning and education. Here,I’ll give you some basics on fence materials. But,if building your own fences is not something you really want to tackle on your own,consider looking up a good local fence contractor like -. A contractor like that can do it for you saving you a ton of hassle,time and frustration.
Let’s talk a little bit about fencing materials. Fences can be constructed from several types of materials. Wood is the most common material. Other types include vinyl,composite and chain link fences. Vinyl is a plastic based substance. Composite fencing is a combination of wood fibers in a resin base. The appearance of composite fencing is similar to wood and comes in a variety of colors. Vinyl and composite fence materials are usually more costly up front but may be more resistant to weather,cracking,rotting and molding. In the long run,vinyl and composite fencing require less maintenance than wood fences even though wood is still the most common material used.
Wood fences can be built using pre-built wood panels in a variety of styles or using individual wood boards also known as pickets. This type of construction is also referred to component stick built or picket construction. Using individual boards allows the creation of many different designs such as side by side planks,alternate board or shadow box,louver and basket weave. If you decide you like the look and flexibility of a wood fence,you will need to then decide what type of wood you will use.
The types of wood available for fence construction vary across different geographic regions of the country. For example,pressure treated lumber is usually yellow pine on the East Coast and fir on the West coast. It’s been pressure impregnated with a liquid preservative to resist rot and termites but should still be sealed to help protect against the elements and maintain the best appearance over time. Pressure treated woods are classified as either above ground use only or certified for ground contact. When constructing a fence,the fence post should always be certified for ground contact.
Cedar naturally resists rot,moisture and insects so that makes it great for fences. Cedar shrinks very little with changes in the weather and humidity levels. It’s easy to seal or stain. If left untreated it weathers to a distinguished silvery gray.
Redwood is also naturally insect and rot resistant. It provides a beautiful and long lasting fence surface. Redwood has good dimensional stability which means that it shrinks and swells less than other woods when exposed to water making redwood less likely to warp,split or cup. Redwood has an open-celled structure and contains little or no pitch or resins. This enables it to absorb and retain all types of finishes extremely well.
Deciding which type of wood you use is a matter of taste and budget. Another thing to consider before starting construction of your fence is to check local ordinances to see if a permit is required. Also,you may need to check with your homeowner’s association to see if they have any restrictions on types of fences as well as the height of the fence that you are permitted to install or build. And,finally,be sure to contact your utility companies and have them come out to mark any underground pipes,electrical or telephone lines before digging.