Why Choose Wood for Outdoor Fence?
Wooden fences bring a welcoming look to your home. You can select from a wide range of wood fences to suit your style. Since wood is easy to work with, you can customize the wooden fence to suit your outdoor space. Wooden fences are also more affordable than other materials like metal.
Treated wood is one of the best wood fence materials. This is because it can resist rotting, insects and wear and tear due to extreme weather. You can repair and replace individual sections or wood panels when required. This makes it convenient and cost-effective to maintain the fence.
Wood Fence Types
Wood fences can be found with panels, pickets, lattices, or separate posts and rails. Each style has unique benefits.
Check with your local laws or homeowners association regulations before installing any type of fencing.
Wood Panel Fencing
Wood panel fencing is made of large wooden panels. They are also called stockade fencing. The large panels act as a boundary and provide the maximum level of privacy. Wood panel fences block out the visibility and are ideal for privacy fencing. The commonly available panel dimensions include of 4 feet and 3.5 feet in height and 8 feet and 6 feet width. Some popular fence styles include dog ear and gothic style.
Picket Fencing
Wood picket fencing features evenly spaced vertical boards or pickets. These boards are attached to horizontal rails, usually at the top and bottom. The space left between the pickets allows better visibility. Flat-top picket and dog ear picket are the most popular types of picket fences.
- A flat-top picket fence style has a straight-cut design at the top. All the pickets are leveled with each other to give a clean, minimalist appearance.
- Dog-ear picket fences are decorative. The sharp corners are cut at an angle to give a softer look.
Split-Rail Fencing
Split rail fences have a traditional design with horizontal wooden rails supported by vertical posts. A gap of a few inches is left between these rails. Red cedar split rails are durable and naturally resistant to decay. This type of wooden fence is best suited to cover a large area. It uses less wood than other types of fences. Hence, it is an affordable wood fencing option.
Lattice Fencing
A lattice fence is made from crisscrossed wooden strips. Such a grid pattern allows light and breeze to flow through. Lattice fencing is highly popular due to its elegant design and versatility. Along with defining a perimeter, it can be used to support vines or climbers in the garden.
Pair a lattice-top gate with your lattice fence for a cohesive look.
Buying Wood for Outdoor Fence
Here are some points you cannot miss when buying wood for outdoor fences:
1. Size of Project
The total budget of the project depends on your project size. Carefully plan out the total material required to cover the perimeter. This will also determine the total cost of the project. Define the comfortable height of the fence as well. The correct fence height can ensure your privacy, aesthetic and security needs.
Include the cost of the fence gate when calculating the budget for fence installation.
2. Accessories
A range of wood fence accessories are available to further enhance their look. You can use decorative post caps, wooden fence gates and stylish latches. The post caps additionally help to protect fence posts from weather damage.
3. Installation Time
The type of fence you select will determine the installation time. It will also depend on the size of your project. Wood panel fences and split-rail fences take less time to install. Lattice and custom woodwork fences require more effort and installation time.
4. Maintenance
Wood fences can rot or get damaged when exposed to extreme weather conditions. To keep them in good condition, you must follow a regular maintenance routine. Inspect them regularly and apply a good-quality sealant, stain or UV-resistant paint.