Types of Fences

Having a beautiful lawn around your house improves the overall look of the house. The lush green lawn not only compliments your house but also provides various health benefits. Maintaining your house and lawn is no child's play; you need to give proper attention to eliminate all the issues. And what other way is better than using fences to stop all the intruders from entering your lawn and house.

Fences play a very important role in keeping your house and lawn safe. It not only acts as an extra security but also makes your house look more attractive. Fence companies now have started selling different types of fences that provide various benefits accordingly. So it is very important that before visiting a fence company, you first consider the purpose of buying the fence. It will help you select your ideal fence and will save your and your fence company's time.

Purpose of the Fence:

Before choosing the type of fence you are going to use, it is very important to first determine the purpose the fence will fulfill. Fences can be used for various purposes like privacy, security, decoration, and more. Listed below are purposes that different types of fences can fulfill.

Privacy

The majority of people want to live a private life and don't want people to intrude in their life. No matter how hard you try, people often find a way to invade your personal space. If you are looking for a fence that can help you provide more privacy, then you should go for the type of fence that is taller than usual and does not have gaps in them. In addition to this, you will also want a fence that is durable and is available at a low price.

Security

It will not be wrong to use an extra layer of protection that can provide you with security in today's world. If you are looking for a fence that can keep your house and family safe, you should go for a fence that is both strong and durable. In addition to this, you should look for a tall enough fence to stop people from jumping it. For the best protection, you can choose a steel palisade fence 6 to 8 ft long.

However, steel fences are only good for you if you want to use them for your business or industry. The best fence you can get for your home is that of timber. Timber fences generally offer features like durability and strength. A strong timber fence will save you and your loved ones without making you feel like you live in prison.

Decoration

Having a beautiful house helps you fulfill your dream of living a happy life. Make your house look even more attractive by using uniquely designed fences. There are a vast number of differently designed fences available in the market. And each of these fences further comes in different colors. Many different fence companies can be seen providing people with various beautiful designs.

Usually, when it comes to design, the factors that affect your choice are the fence's appearance and your budget. There are different decorative fences available that come in various price segments depending on the material used.

Containment

Keeping your children and animals safe at home and away from the road can sometimes be a burdensome task. Save yourself from this burdensome task by using the containment fences. These fences can be used to contain children, pets, or even big animals like horses. The characteristics of the fence will depend on the particular thing you want to contain.

Any mid-length timber fence will do the job of containing your children or small pets perfectly. Whereas, if you want to contain big animals like horses, you need to use long fences.

Once you have selected the purpose your fence will fulfill, you can easily select the type of fence that will cater to all your needs. There are various types of fences available that you can choose from. Each fence type comes with its benefits.

Chain-link fencing

As the name suggests, chain-link fencing is a fence made out of wire. The woven wire structure gives a zig-zag design to the fence. Because of this structure only, the fence has big gaps in it, giving it a diamond pattern. This type of fence is often used by people who are looking for an affordable fence. Because of the zig-zag design, you get to see through the fence. But at the same time, the gaps are small enough to stop anyone from entering the house.

Barbed Wire Fence

The Barbed Wire fence, also known as a bob wire fence, is ideal for people who want to secure their parameters at a low price. These wires have sharp edges, which can cause severe injury to a person or animal who will try to pass through the fence. Barbed wire fencing, when combined with Chain-link fencing, provides people more protection and safety.

Welded Mesh Fencing

A mesh fencing is a steel wire which when electrically welded together, forms a mesh. Welded Mesh fencing is somewhat similar to chain-linking fencing. However, because of the strength of the welded mesh fence, it is often used in places where high security is required, along with the feature of visibility. For instance, this fencing can often be seen in various zoos.

Cactus Fence

A Cactus fence is a type of fence made by planting different cactus plants in a line. Although it is not as secure as other fences, it is a type of fence that can be seen in almost all the houses in regions with a lot of cacti. The main purpose of this fence is to keep any stray animal away from your beautiful house and lawn.

Electric Fence

An electric fence, as the name suggests, makes use of an electric current to keep people away. Anyone who tries to cross the electric fence receives an electric shock. These fences are often found in areas where high security is required. A power energizer is connected to the fence that helps regulate the voltage of the shock. Intruders can either feel little discomfort or suffer severe injury, depending on the voltage of the electric fence.

Concrete Fence

A concrete fence is a fence made of concrete planks. These planks are kept together vertically, forming a long wall. Concrete, known for its durability and strength, makes the fence highly durable and increases the lifespan. In addition to this, the fence is easy to install and provides people with a high level of protection.

Timber Fence

Timber fence is one of the most commonly used fences. It can be seen outside of various beautiful houses. Unlike other fences, timber fences are available at an economical price and save you and your house from intruders. This fence can be further classified into different types:

Closeboard

Closeboard fence, also known as a feather board fence, is a strong and durable fence that provides your house with an extra layer of protection. These fences are generally 6 ft tall and are attached to the fence posts, which are dug deep into the ground. Closeboard offers easy to repair and security features, making it one of the most used types of timber fences.

Lap Panel

The lap panel is somewhat similar to the close board fence when it comes to privacy and security. The key difference between these two types is that the lap panel is not as strong and durable as the close board fences. Unlike the close board, lap panels are raised a little higher than the ground.

Semi-solid Panels

Semi-solid Panels are the best type of timber fence for people who are looking for a decorative fence. These can often be seen in many gardens acting as garden dividers. The timber panels are positioned together to create such a type of fencing. This fence is not considered a good option when it comes to security or privacy as they have slats and gaps between them.

Trellis

Trellis fencing is a type of timber fencing in which wood pieces are interwoven together. Usually, these fences can be seen in various parks and gardens, where Trellis fences act as a structure providing support to the plants. This fence is often used with a semi-solid fence where the fence helps plants to grow. It is the best fence for the people who own a beautiful lawn with lush green plants.

Screen Fence

Natural screen fencing is best for all people who prioritize privacy. Although the fence is good enough to keep people away from your personal life, it is not ideal for security and strength. The material used for the fence is not durable, which is one reason why people who are looking for a durable and strong fence exclude screen fences from their choice.

Once you have selected the type of fence you want to install, you can simply visit your local fence companies or contact a fence contractor to get the fencing job done. These fences help a lot in making your house safe and attractive. Select from wooden, metallic, and vinyl material and use the one that caters to your needs. Get the vinyl material fencing if you are ready to pay a little more for a more reliable and durable type of fencing. Choose the fence type and the material you want, and you are good to go. However, one thing you need to keep in mind is that the overall look of your house can be spoiled if the fences are not properly maintained and cleaned.

 How To Clean And Maintain Your Fences:

One of the reasons why many people face the issue of less durability of their fences is because their fences are not maintained and cleaned properly. Some people do not maintain the fences because of carelessness, while others do not know how to clean and maintain them. No matter what the reason is, not maintaining the fences will surely spoil the overall look of your house.

There are various types of fences in the market. And the method of cleaning and maintaining them is also different. You can not maintain the vinyl fence the same way you maintain a wooden fence. It is very important to have proper knowledge before you start sustaining the fences; otherwise, you can spoil and damage the fences. Here are some tips one should follow while maintaining their fences:

Wood

Wooden fences are the fences that can be commonly seen in most houses. Although the wooden fences are very strong and durable, these fences can be spoiled if proper care is not taken. Wood fences look very beautiful and compliment your lush green lawn. Often the wooden fences are coated with a special stain that helps protect the wooden fences from the harmful effects of sun and rain.

It is important that your fences are coated with this special stain after every two years in order to ensure the long durability of the fence. So the first thing you need to do is call your fence contractor and ask them to apply the special stain coating if it has not been applied in the last two years. If not the stain coating, you can also apply paint to your fences to give them a more uniform look. One thing you need to keep in mind is that you need to properly clean your fence before applying any coating.

When it comes to cleaning the wooden fence, you can go for bleach or wood cleaning solutions. Furthermore, if you want to protect the grass under your fence while cleaning and staining it, you can use plastic sheeting to cover it. The most commonly used mixture for cleaning consists of one part of bleach and two parts of water. You can also purchase a wood cleaning solution from any hardware store in your area to get ultimate results. Once you are equipped with all the necessary requirements, you can start with the cleaning process.

• First, apply the cleaning solutions to the fence and allow it to get brighter and cleaner.
• Then, to clean it off, use a water hose from a distance of around 12 inches.
• Once done, wait for the fence to get dried naturally.

Look for any stains or areas that need more cleaning. If you find any of them, you may want to repeat the process and pay more heed to those areas and spots. Once done, you can apply the staining and wait for it to dry. Perform this task every two years to keep your wooden fences clean and beautiful.

Metal

Metal fences come in different materials, like iron, steel, aluminum, and more. These fences are considered one of the strongest and durable types of fences. People often think that there is no need to maintain the metal fences as they seem to have more longevity. However, it is not true at all; if proper care is not taken, even the metal fences can get damaged.

Unlike steel and aluminum fences, iron fencing has a high chance of getting affected by rust if proper care is not taken. And to save your fencing from getting rusted, you will need to apply a protective coating of wax on it. It will not only help to keep the rust away from the metal but will also make the fence suitable for all the weather conditions. It is important that you first check that your fence is coated with a multilayered coating. However, if that's not the case, you can yourself get your fence coated to ensure better protection.

Apart from the coating, you can clean the metal fencing very easily. When it comes to aluminum metal fencing, you can simply clean them using a water hose. Just spray water on the fence to wash off any dust. If there is any stain on the fences, you can easily clean them by scrubbing them.

The process is quite similar when it comes to iron and steel fences. However, the key difference is that you will need to use a mixture of warm water and a cleaning solution in order to reduce the chances of rusting. Not just this, but you will also need to use a scrub brush with a soft bristle to clean all the stains and dirt. Once done with the scrubbing, simply wash off everything using the water hose.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a type of fencing material that has recently gained a lot of popularity. One of the reasons for the popularity of vinyl fencing is that these fences come in a variety of colors and do not require high maintenance. Unlike other materials, vinyl fences will not crack, rot or get rusted. People often go for vinyl material as they do not require as much maintenance as required by wooden and metal fencing.

You can clean the vinyl fences easily by just spraying water using a water hose. However, if there are some stains that do not get cleaned by spraying water, you can use a solution of water and vinyl cleaning solution. Apply the solution to the stained spot and clean it by using a scrub. Once done, you can easily wash off everything by using the water hose with a 1500 to 2000 psi water pressure.

Things To Consider Before Installing Your Fence

It is very important that you first acquire proper knowledge about fences before you invest in them. As the fences will not only make your house look attractive but will also protect you and your family from any intruder. The type and the purpose the fence will fulfill are important things to consider before installing your ideal fence. However, these are not the only two factors. Listed below are some factors that you should consider before installing a fence:

• It is important that you keep in mind the right way your fence will face. It is done because you will not want the fence that you have invested in to face the wrong direction. You will not have to worry about it if you own a fence that has a design on both sides or if the fence is a metallic one. At the time of installation, make sure that the coated, smooth and finished side of the fence is facing the neighbor.

• Before the installation, you will also need to have a chat with the neighborhood association or the municipal official about the neighborhood covenant. The covenant will help you know about the height and material of the fence that you can use in your neighborhood. Not just this, it will also help you know how far you need to set the fence on your property. Generally, the fence is set back at around 2 to 8 inches from the property line and the sidewalk. It is a must-do task as it will help in the smooth running of the fence's installation process.

• You will also need to consider the climate you are living in because it is one factor that will decide what type of material you should choose. If you are living in a location with a warm damper climate, you should choose vinyl. In contrast, you should select a wooden or metal fence if you are living in a location with a cold climate.

• One of the main purposes fulfilled by fences is that of decoration. To make your house even more attractive, you can plant lush green plants along with the fence. In addition to this, you can use the trellis fence that will support the growth of the plants.

Conclusion

There are numerous types and variants of fencing available in the market. All these types available are designed to cater to particular purposes. So to find the most suitable one for your home, you need to decide what purpose your fence will fulfill. Fences come with the responsibility of cleaning and maintaining, so it is crucial to take proper care from time to time.

nce will fulfill. Fences come with the responsibility of cleaning and maintaining, so it is crucial to take proper care from time to time.