Author: Christian Burgess

Choosing the Right Type of Fence

Maisey Fence LLC is a structure that encloses an area, such as a backyard. It is often built for aesthetic reasons, security, and to protect against wind.

Fence

As a matter of good neighborhood courtesy, it is always best to speak with your neighbors before putting up any fence. This will help to ensure that they are happy with the height and type of fence panels chosen.

A wood fence offers a range of benefits, including privacy, theming and the ability to complement a garden. But it’s important to choose the right type of wood to ensure that your fence has the durability needed to stand up against the British climate, as well as ensuring that any pest-repellant properties are effective.

Any kind of wood can be used for fencing, but the most durable options are those with natural resistance to decay, water damage and fungal growth. Cedar, for example, is naturally rot-resistant and will retain its color and shape for a long time, while cypress is another good choice because it’s an evergreen with a natural oil that deters insects.

Pine is a cheaper choice, but it needs to be pressure-treated to protect against the elements and resist shrinkage, which can weaken a wooden fence and cause it to warp or break. Spruce is also a popular wood for fencing, but it tends to be softer than cedar and rots more easily.

Fence panels are the main component of any wooden fence, and can be a mix of pickets or rails. Pickets are slats of wood that run the length of the fence and can be crafted with different top styles, including dog ear, flat top or horizontal. Rails are horizontal pieces that support the pickets or lattice panels and help to give a fence structure and stability.

The final touches that complete a wooden fence are the cap boards, which cover the tops of the posts and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. The kick board, which runs along the base of a fence, is designed to match the cap board and provide extra protection by keeping the main posts and pickets away from the ground, where they are susceptible to moisture and decay.

Lattice

The perfect solution for anyone who wants more privacy than a picket fence but doesn’t want to feel completely hemmed in by a solid block of wood, lattice fencing is the best of both worlds. The panels are strong enough to keep children or pets safe, but they allow in light and outside views so the garden doesn’t look secluded or closed off. This type of fence can also be used as a trellis for vines to grow up, creating a beautiful focal point that adds beauty to your backyard.

Whether you have a dingy looking firewood pile in your yard or a veranda where you relax with family and friends, lattice fencing can transform it into a beautiful feature that looks great in your landscape. Just add climbing plants like flowering vines to train up the lattice screen, and you’ll have a gorgeous addition to your fence and garden that will last for years to come.

If you choose to have lattice fence installed on a sloped ground, the posts will need to be set higher than they would on level land. To determine how high the posts should be, you can brace them temporarily and use a string level to check them for plumb. Once you’re satisfied with the level, mark where the posts need to be cut, disassemble the temporary braces, and make your cuts.

A metal lattice fence can be made out of aluminum, steel, or wrought iron. Aluminum is the most rust-resistant of the three and the least expensive, while steel provides a good middle ground between cost and durability. Wrought iron is the most expensive but offers a classic look that will stand the test of time and weather.

Aluminum

Aluminum fencing is a good choice if you want to add a beautiful, durable fence that will last for decades. It’s a smart choice for residential or commercial properties. Aluminum has the advantage over some other metals in that it is corrosion-resistant, so it will not rust or corrode, even in relatively harsh weather conditions. It’s also salt-resistant, which makes it a great choice for coastal areas.

One of the reasons why aluminum is a good choice for fences is that it comes in a variety of styles and colors to suit any taste. Some are more decorative, while others are designed to be utilitarian. For example, some have spear pickets to add security to the property, while others have flat rails to match contemporary houses.

In general, you’ll want to make sure that the quality of an aluminum fence is high. You’ll want to ensure that it has thick posts and rails (lesser companies may cut back on the thickness of these elements to save money, which will weaken the fence). It should have good hinges, screws, and other hardware. Also, look for an aluminum fence that is protected with a polyester powder coating that includes UV-ray protection.

The best part about an aluminum fence is that it requires very little maintenance, especially compared to wood or other types of metal. The powder coating protects the fence from rust or corrosion, and the fence itself will not need to be painted or stained. This will save you the cost and time of staining and painting, which is a good thing for both your property and the environment. The only other maintenance that will be required for an aluminum fence is to hose it down occasionally to get rid of mud and lawn clippings.

Steel

When you want the security of a solid barrier, steel fencing fits the bill. It stands up to harsh weather and trespassers. It’s often used for industrial properties, but it can be a good choice for residential gardens as well. A sturdy, practical option, it’s often dressed up with slats or vines to boost privacy and look more attractive. Steel fences are generally heavier than aluminum or wood. They can also be more costly to install, and a pro should dig the post holes and pour concrete for you.

Wrought iron is the artisan of the metal fence world, capable of elegant swirls and other decorative touches. It’s perfect for enhancing garden designs or accenting historic homes. Iron can also be welded into complex patterns and shapes for a truly custom look. But wrought iron requires a lot of maintenance: It needs to be repainted frequently to keep rust at bay, and it’s susceptible to corrosion in wet weather.

Tubular-aluminum and hollow-steel fences are more practical for many homeowners. Home centers and budget-friendly fence suppliers stock preassembled panels of 6-foot-long tubular-aluminum or hollow-steel pickets joined by screws. They’re typically rackable, so you can install them to follow a slope in your yard. Aluminum is rust-proof and about four times lighter than steel, so it’s easier to handle and requires less maintenance.

The downside of tubular-aluminum and hollow-steel fencing is that they aren’t as strong as wrought iron. They’re also not as effective at blocking sound. And although their fasteners are hidden, they’re still visible, making the fence less solid-looking than a wrought iron option. Some manufacturers have a solution for this: They use an electrocoating that’s virtually invisible and warrants a limited warranty.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a great choice for those who want to create a fence that has a natural wood appearance, as it comes in a variety of colors to match any property. In addition, vinyl is resistant to water damage and has colorfast fade protection, which will keep the fence looking brand new for a long time.

A vinyl fence will also not require treatment with harmful chemicals to prevent insect infestation like it would with a traditional wooden fence. Insects such as termites and carpenter ants have a hard time chewing through the PVC material that is used to make a vinyl fence. This will help you save money on expensive treatment and maintenance costs over the life of your home.

Another benefit of a vinyl fence is that it does not need painting or staining. While wood fencing may need periodic sanding and staining to keep it looking its best, vinyl does not need this care. A vinyl fence is also easy to clean, as it does not absorb stains as easily as other materials.

With a few easy maintenance tips, you can keep your vinyl fence looking its best. Regularly cleaning the fence with a hose and soapy water will prevent blemishes from building up over time. Also, it is important to inspect the fence for signs of damage and wear such as cracks, loose pickets, and broken post caps.

Vinyl is a great option for homeowners who want to protect their property and add curb appeal to their homes, but it is not without some drawbacks. One is that you cannot customize your vinyl fence as much as you can with a wooden fence, as it is produced using molds and is set in its design from the beginning.

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