Different Types Of Fences
There are many different types of fences. How do you know what type of fence is the right one for your property? This depends on its purpose. Do you want a fence for privacy, security, to keep your pets from escaping, or simply for aesthetic reasons? What style or material should you use? Other factors to consider are your budget, where you live, local weather conditions and how much maintenance you are willing to do.
Let’s look at a variety of materials, how they respond to different weather, maintenance, and the pros and cons of each type.
Wood Fencing
When you think of a fence, what’s the first thing you picture? For many of who grew up in the suburbs, a white wooden picket fence is the first thing that comes to mind. My grandfather owned two farms in southwestern Ontario, and he used wooden fences on his property to keep his cows from running away or being stolen. As he had over 300 acres, there were a lot of fences to keep any eye and fix.
Why is wood so popular? It is a natural material, versatile and easy to install. It can be painted or stained any colour. Drawbacks are it weathers quickly, needs regular maintenance, and doesn’t last as long as other materials.
Vinyl or PVC Fencing
What’s one of the advantages of a vinyl or PVC fence? It requires minimal maintenance. Also, if you have pets and or children, it is a safe choice as they will never get splinters. They also look good year round.
On the downside, they are prone to mildew. Unlike wood fences, they can’t be painted or stained. If you live in a location where the temperature fluctuates drastically, the material can become brittle.
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Aluminum Fencing
Aluminum fences have a lot going for them. They are lightweight, won’t corrode and can be used in all weather conditions. If an eco-friendly option is important to you, you’’ll feel good about installing a recyclable fence. Cons are they bend easily, and must be replaced as they can’t be repaired.
Composite Fencing
What is composite fencing made of? It is made of a mixture of plastic and wood chips. The fence looks like wood without requiring a lot of maintenance. Composite fencing is strong, lightweight, easy to clean and weather resistant. The colour won’t fade. Unlike wood fencing, it is pricy and has less colour choices.
Fence Repairs
What’s one of the main reasons to repair your fence? Severe weather will give your fence a beating. What do we mean by severe weather? Heavy rainfall, snowstorms, windstorms and salt air are some of the weather conditions you may encounter. They can not only cause your fence to break down, they can also break it.
If you don’t repair your fence as soon as you see a problem, you can have a bigger problem to deal with including rot, damp and decay. If left untreated, this can destroy your entire fence, and instead of a simple fix you need to install a whole new one. This is a lot more costly than simply fixing the fence.
No matter what type of fence you’re looking for, with the variety of materials, colours and styles, you will find something that works for you. Keep in mind you should hire a professional to install it.
Bryan Reed
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