Property owners purchase fences for a variety of reasons. Some people want them to increase their privacy and prevent prying eyes from seeing what they are doing. Parents love having a fence to keep their kids and pets corralled, and fences help block wind and noise from intruding. Furthermore, a pool needs a fence around it to prevent unauthorized entry by others. The right fence, however, goes above and beyond these benefits. The right barrier adds to the curb appeal of the property and may even increase its value. What do property owners need to know before investing in a wood fence?
Why Wood?
For hundreds of years now, property owners opted for wood fences to meet their specific needs. In 2007, property owners in America installed over 59,000 miles of this barrier around their lots. This fencing could circle the globe two times and continue on. The installers can shape this lightweight and inexpensive material to the owner’s desire, adding to the character and individuality of the property.
Men and women find they can select from a range of styles for the fence itself and add to the appeal by changing up the picket pattern or post-cap design. Furthermore, wood stain allows for more variation in this common structure. A person might choose a stain that allows the fence to become a focal point of the property or as a backdrop for the landscape. It’s all a matter of what the owner prefers. The following summarizes what a person can expect if they choose to purchase this style and how to go about buying a wood fence.
What Components Are Found in a Wood Fence?
Consumers must understand they make wood fences using four basic parts. The posts support the other parts of the fence and are used to keep them stable. At least a third of each post hides underground to provide this support. Rails connect the posts and provide the foundation for the pickets. The installers mount these pickets vertically on these rails and the pickets often come with a pointed tip. Finally, the cap protects the end grain of the post from the weather to increase the lifespan of the posts. When rot-resistant wood is installed properly, these fences last up to 20 years.
Maintenance
To last for years, wood fences need regular maintenance. Every three years, plumb the posts and tamp them down. Refresh clear toners and water proofers every year. When the installer uses semitransparent stains, expect to refresh them every three or four years, while solid-color stains last five to seven years before they need refreshing. Experts don’t recommend paint for this type of fence.
Wood Fence Options
Individuals find they have several styles of wood fence to choose from. The wood picket fence remains a common choice today because owners use it as a pool enclosure or as a barrier for a garden or front yard. These fences typically stand three or four feet tall and get their name from the pickets used in their construction. The pointed top on the pickets not only discourages people from climbing the fence but also helps the fence shed rain.
Boundaries and enclosing fields benefit from a post-and-rail fence. This type of fence costs less than many other wood fencing options and clearly delineates where one section or lot begins and another ends. Farms often use this style of fence to pen livestock. However, some people choose to use this fence for other purposes on their property.
Enclose a pool, garden, deck, or patio with the help of a wood lattice fence. The strips of lath crisscross to obscure the view without blocking the passage of air and light. Many property owners use this type of fence as a support for climbing plants.
Another option for those who desire a fence to increase their privacy is a louver fence. Countless owners choose this option when they need a barrier for a patio, deck, or pool. When a person views the fence straight on, they cannot see through the louvers. However, air and light still make their way through from the sides.
Finally, a vertical board fence helps when a person is dealing with nosy neighbors and or wants protection from the wind and outside noises. The tall, vertical boards provide an extra layer of privacy, as they butt edge to edge or overlap. In addition, they block the wind in the winter, but some people find they dislike this characteristic because the boards also block cool breezes when the temperature climbs.
Installing the Fence
Property owners find they have several options when it comes to having this fence installed. The option selected depends on several factors, such as the skill level of the owner or installer. What options should they consider when making this decision?
Prefab panels remain the choice of many individuals who choose to take on this task themselves. Home centers typically offer better prices, but fence suppliers have better-quality products. These panels are heavy and may require several trips to the supplier to bring them all home. In addition, If a grade slopes more than one foot in every eight feet, the fence will have gaps at the base.
Assemble-it-yourself fences come in parts and the owner assembles them on site. This option requires the most time for installation and the owner pays more because they are buying the fence by the piece. However, this method works great for uneven terrain.
Finally, many owners choose to leave this task to the professionals. The experts do the work and the owner enjoys the finished product. Furthermore, the professionals know how to adjust for sloped yards and offer more wood choices and design options.
Consider all the above when you go to purchase a wood fence. This feature makes a nice addition to any property if the owner knows what to look for when purchasing and having the materials installed. Don’t cut corners in this area, as the fence becomes a part of the landscape. It will remain in place for years to come, whether it is a breathtaking fence everyone admires or an eyesore that cost a great deal of money. Make certain your fence falls into the first category so you love it for years to come.