When building a home, one of the things that many people neglect is putting a lot of time and thought into choosing the right fence. Well, not taking the time to choose a good fence for your property and your needs can be a big mistake.
After all, fences serve many different purposes. For one, they are a leading defence for your home in terms of security. Adequate fences are ideal for deterring burglars and trespassers, and they help keep unwanted animals out as well. At the least, a good fence also helps provide your home with increased privacy, so prying eyes from the street can’t see in.
Moreover, fences are also important as they mark property boundaries, allowing you to easily tell where your property begins and the neighbor’s starts. Let’s not forget perhaps one of the most important benefits of all, that the right fence can look very nice and add a certain aesthetic appeal to your property.
All of that said, choosing a fence is of course easier said than done, and this is because there are so many different types of fences to choose from. There are wood, vinyl, and metal fences, each with their own specific properties. Although, metal fences are often the best choice to go with, as they generally excel in versatility, security, and durability. Let’s get to it and help you choose the right fence for your needs. Let’s start by looking at wood fences.
Wood Fences
First, we have wooden fences, which are extremely traditional and common. In fact, these are some of the most common fences found in residential areas. Wooden fences do have a number of benefits worth considering. For one, they are just very nice.
When it comes down to it, there’s not much that can beat a wooden fence in terms of aesthetic appeal. The natural look and feel of authentic wood adds a certain warmth to a property. It can look very inviting.
Moreover, what also stands out about wooden fences is that they can be customized with various paints and stains. Also, you can choose from many different types of wood to begin with. However, this is unfortunately where the benefits end.
The downside to wooden fences is that they just aren’t very durable or long lasting. For one, wooden fences are susceptible to physical damage. Although wood is strong, heavy impacts will likely cause boards or planks to snap or crack, not something you want in a privacy and security fence.
Not only are wooden fences susceptible to physical impacts, but to weathering, pests, and rotting as well. Wood is a natural material, something that doesn’t hold up forever against inclement weather, and it’s something that pests love burrowing into and eating.
If it’s a long lasting fence you’re after, wood is not it, especially if you’re looking for something low maintenance. If you want wooden fences to last for any amount of time, constant repainting and restaining is required.
Compared to something like a metal palisade fence, a wooden fence has very limited durability. With wooden fences covered, let’s move on and discuss vinyl fences.
Vinyl Fences
Next, we have vinyl fences, with vinyl being a type of plastic. Although many people don’t like to hear that something is made of plastic, a vinyl fence does have certain benefits worth considering. First and foremost, because this is a type of plastic, it doesn’t require much maintenance or upkeep at all. You never have to paint or stain plastic fences.
Another benefit of having a vinyl fence is that it’s very resistant to weather. Because it’s plastic, it does not absorb water, nor does it rot. Pests also don’t eat or burrow into it, so that’s not a problem either. However, in spite of its low maintenance and weather resistant nature, vinyl fences do have major drawbacks that many cannot get past.
For instance, vinyl fences have very limited physical strength. Even a light or moderate impact can crack vinyl. On that note, if there is severe weather that involves heavy winds, that might even be enough to break a vinyl fence.
On that note, because they aren’t very strong, vinyl fences also don’t provide great security. They won’t provide criminals with much of an obstacle. Also worth considering is that vinyl is not eco-friendly in the least, so if you’re looking for something green and sustainable, a vinyl fence is not it.
Metal Fences: Durable and Versatile
If you’re looking for a great fence, then it is a metal fence that you need. The fact here is that metal fences are extremely versatile, with there being many types of metal fences to choose from. This is one of their biggest benefits, that there are different types which can serve different purposes, which brings us to our first point.
Many Types of Metal Fences
Something that many will appreciate about metal fences is that there are many types to choose from. For instance, if your main goal is security, then either a palisade fence or a barbed wire fence is the way to go. Palisade fences have very tall metal bars and barbed wire speaks for itself. Either way, these are excellent for keeping intruders out.
You then also have regular steel fences, which feature a mix of durability, security, and aesthetic appeal. If you’re going for something simple and affordable yet effective, then a wire mesh fence is always a good choice, whether for a yard or an animal enclosure. A wire mesh fence can also serve as a temporary fence that can then be moved.
Superior Strength and Weather Resistant
What is of course a benefit of metal fences is that they are extremely durable, especially if you get a steel fence made with heavy-duty bars. Metal is much more durable than either wood or plastic, with the former being susceptible to weather damage and rotting, and the latter being susceptible to physical impacts and heavy winds.
You won’t have any of these problems with a metal fence. A metal fence will not crack or bend in the wind, insects cannot burrow into it or eat it, and moisture and the weather in general has very limited effect on it. This is especially the case if the metal is galvanized or powder-coated, which adds extra protection against moisture and the elements.
Moreover, intruders will also have a difficult time breaking or maneuvering a durable metal fence. Metal fences are exceptional as far as security is concerned.
Low Maintenance
The other benefit of metal fences worth mentioning is that they are very low maintenance. Once they are set up, they really don’t require maintenance at all. If you have a rust and corrosion resistant fence, you’ll never have to paint or refinish it, and cleaning is simple as well.
Benefits of Metal Fences
- Superior durability
- Physical impact resistance
- Excellent weather resistance
- Low maintenance
- Long-term cost savings
- Great for privacy and security
How to Choose the Right Fence for Your Needs
Before you purchase a fence, there are several considerations to keep in mind, including the following:
- Purpose
- Budget
- Environment
- Aesthetic Preferences
- Durability Requirements
Purpose
What is your purpose? Do you want a fence that looks nice? If so, then wood might be a good option. However, if you want a fence that keeps intruders out, keeps your pets in, looks nice, is durable, and requires minimal maintenance, then it’s a metal fence you want. The reality is that a metal fence can serve virtually any purpose.
Budget
You then also need to consider your budget. Now, you might be thinking that a metal fence will cost a lot up front, which may be true to a certain degree. However, if you consider that metal requires virtually no maintenance and is very durable, you’ll end up saving money in the long term compared to wood or vinyl fences.
Environment
When you’re choosing a fence, consider the environment you live in. If you live in a humid environment, particularly by the ocean where corrosion is an issue, you’ll need to make sure that you get a galvanized or powder coated metal fence to prevent rusting. Moreover, although wood and vinyl look nice, they don’t stand up well to extreme heat or cold, unlike metal.
Aesthetic Preferences
You should consider the style and visual appeal of the fence in question. Now, although wood may generally be considered the most visually appealing, there are plenty of metal fences that can match your property and style of home.
Durability Requirements
Of course, you need to consider how durable you need the fence to be. If you need a security fence to keep intruders out, you have dogs or pets that need to be kept in, or you live in an area with harsh weather, then metal is really the only option to consider.
Consult a Professional
Finally, if all else fails, and you just don’t know what to do, you should consult a professional. A professional can give you advice and help you choose the best type of fence for your needs.
Final Thoughts: Different Types of Fences
The bottom line is that there is just nothing better than a metal fence. Metal is far more durable, longer lasting, and lower maintenance than both wood and plastic, not to mention that you can find some very nice-looking metal fences too! If you need a mix of security, durability, low maintenance, and cost-effectiveness, then it is a metal fence you need.