Are you intending to renovate your outdoor space to something timeless, practical, and charming? Then, wood fencing is the best option for you. Whether you want to make the curb appeal better, mark the boundary of your property, or just add a little more privacy, you can never go wrong with this solution. It is just any boundary; that would make a beautiful expression. Let us look into why this much-loved choice has continued to appeal to both homeowners and designers alike. Let’s find out what sets it apart.
What is Wood Fencing?
Wood fencing is a barrier or enclosure erected from timber, usually to mark a property line for privacy, security, or beauty enhancement. It consists of wooden posts, rails, and pickets and usually appears in various styles such as picket, split-rail, and board-on-board. It is appreciated for its natural appearance, versatility, and ease of customization.
Types of Wood Fencing
Split-Rail Fence
The split-rail fence is a traditional type of fence composed of rails split across their length with wood and placed horizontally through timber posts. Simple yet attractive in looks, a fence of this sort is preferred for its charm and practical advantages, including affordability.
In residential homes, it bestows rustic charm on properties, outlining them without providing a view, and acting as a safe environment. Commercially, they can set a warm and inviting ambience for customers and clients. Visibility is good with these fences due to their open design that acts as a deterrent for trespassers and vandals.
Picket Fence
Depending on the height, a picket fence might be more affordable than the others. Posts and boards generally extend three to four feet from the ground, with vertical boards or pickets having either flat or pointed tops. This option works best if you want a simple boundary without shutting the neighbours out entirely.
They also keep compound wall gates shut and prevent wildlife from entering your home. The question here is privacy, but they enhance curb appeal. This fence might as well be something your neighbour manages to install, so the installation cost is saved.
Lattice Fence
A lattice fence consists of a crisscross pattern instead of the typical horizontal or vertical boards. The fence may have full lattice panels or just a few feet of lattice accenting near the top of the fence. While attractive, these boards are too thin for use as a serious fence.
These fences offer less privacy; hence, they are mainly decorative or for basic security with flower and vegetable gardens. This sort of fence may not be what you want in your yard, but it will keep a variety of wildlife from wandering onto the property.
Board-on-Board Fence
A board-to-board fence is one of the common types of wooden fences. In such a wooden fence, the boards are usually oriented vertically and overlap. The side where the fence boards are installed alternates, with the next board installed first on the other side, creating an attractive arrangement which provides some sense of privacy to the yard.
Such a fence is very good for backyard privacy areas and the protection of pools from various hazards because of the weather. But looking at the negative side, such fences require more materials for construction than just a simple side-by-side fence because of the overlapping feature. It should be sealed for moisture and UV rays and to keep away pests.
Shadowbox Fence
A shadowbox fence is exactly the same as a board-on-board fence, except for the spacing. Instead of tightly overlapping boards to prevent privacy issues, a shadowbox fence positions the boards further apart, so they only slightly overlap. This means that the fence cannot be seen through at a straight angle, but can be viewed at an angle. The vertical boards are installed on alternating sides of the horizontal rails, leaving small gaps between them. This design allows air flow and sunlight to come through the fence. This fencing can be best sited for flower or vegetable gardens along the borders of the yard.
Type of Woods Used in Fencing
Cedar Wood
Cedar wood is softer and lighter and has less strength, and limited shock resistance. These woods are slightly compressed when it is set for drying. This wood can be worked smoothly, as it holds colour well, and can reduce the chances of heartwood decay. It is highly durable and can be used for making poles, posts, cabin logs, fencing, boats, shingles, and more.
Fir Wood
Fir wood, especially Douglas fir, is a common softwood used in construction and framing due to its strength, affordability, and availability. It is moderately resistant to decay but is not ideal for ground contact without treatment. These woods are mostly used for building and construction purposes for lumber, piles, plywood, and engineered wood composites.
Red Oak Wood
These woods are dense and shrink while drying. These oaks are primarily cut into lumber, railroad crossties, fence posts, wood veneer, etc. In general, these fence posts require preservative treatment for satisfactory service.
Teak Wood
This wood is versatile, strong, durable, weather-resistant, warp-resistant, and does not decay easily. Despite being strong and long-lasting, it is very costly. It is used only for erecting posts and making rails. Apart from this, they are used for making cabinets, interior and exterior joinery, flooring and other furniture.
Benefits of Wood Fencing
- Aesthetic Appeal: Wood fences offer that timeless, classic look that can match almost any landscape or architectural style. They can be painted or stained in a plethora of finishes depending on one’s personal preferences.
- Affordability: Usually, wood fencing is materials-wise and upfront installation cost-wise cheaper than vinyl, wrought iron, or composite type preparation.
- Customisability: Wood fencing is available in a large number of styles, varying heights, and different kinds of wood. Homeowners can customise shapes, paints, design-your spirits, and places to suit their own personal or property aesthetics.
- Environmentally Friendly: Wood is a renewable and biodegradable material, especially when sustainably sourced, while many wood fencing materials are technically recyclable or compostable.
- Ease of Repair: A large percentage of wood fence panels or boards are easy to take away and replace if damaged, unlike metal or composite fences, which demand more extensive repairs.
- Functional Versatility: From privacy fences to ornamental fences to agricultural fences, wood can be used in an array of functions.
Parts of Wooden Fences
- Posts: Vertical support beams that anchor it into the ground.
- Rails: Horizontal pieces that continue between posts, supporting the entire structure.
- Nails/Screws: Fasteners that keep pickets and rails together.
- Cap: A top piece that crowns the posts; it protects and decorates.
- Picket: The vertical boards that form the front view of the fence, giving it both style and function
How to Install a Wood Fence?
- Planning and Permits: Check local residential zoning laws and homeowners association rules. Mark boundaries and seek permits before starting.
- Layout and Measurements: Using stakes and string, mark out the fence layout. Take measurements to mark the site location of each post.
- Dig Post Holes: With a post hole digger or manual auger, dig holes deep between 2 and 3 feet, spacing them about 6 to 8 feet apart.
- Set the Posts: Place the posts in their holes and pour concrete. Allow to set concrete for 24 to 48 hours.
- Attach Rails: Between the posts, attach the horizontal rails using galvanized nails or screws. Two rails are generally used for short fences, and three rails for taller fences.
- Install Pickets: Nail or screw the pickets vertically to the rails. Use a spacer for consistent gaps if desired.
- Finishing Touches: Put handy post caps, stain, or paint the fence if so desired, and seal it with a wood sealant to protect it from moisture and UV damage.
Conclusion
Wood fencing stands as one of the most versatile and least expensive forms of fencing that is still pleasing to the eye. From styles such as split-rail or board-on-board, all the way to wood types of cedar, teak, or fir, its extension is enormous to fit any need. When well installed and maintained, a wooden fence will afford privacy, security, charm and value to the property.