Wood fences are a great way to keep kids and pets safe, compliment your home and increase property value. A quality fence company will help you choose the right design, materials and accessories.
Wood fences are prone to damage by moisture, insects and sun exposure. They need regular maintenance to keep them looking their best. For professional help, contact Maisey Fence LLC.
Posts form the backbone of a wood fence, keeping it strong and stable. They are also a key factor in deterring unauthorised access and ensuring the security of your property. As such, understanding the variety of options available can help you select the best posts to meet your needs.
While untreated wooden fence posts are prone to decay, they can be preserved by preservative treatments. These chemicals slow the breakdown of the wood, often extending its lifespan from years to decades. Some wood post treatment options also prevent termite damage and fungi growth.
Alternatively, steel fence posts are an attractive alternative to traditional wooden fence posts, as they offer greater durability and longevity. These posts can withstand significant pressure and high winds, making them ideal for taller or heavier fences. Additionally, they require little maintenance after installation. However, they are more expensive upfront, which may make them a deterrent for homeowners on a budget.
Many wood fences use wooden posts for their aesthetic appeal, which can be stained or painted to complement the overall design of a home. However, it is important to understand that wood is prone to decay, rot, and insect infestations, which can significantly reduce its lifespan. Regular inspections of the posts for soft spots and signs of insect activity can help to minimise damage.
When selecting wooden posts for your fence, be sure to choose those that are treated with a wood preservative or sealant. Several different options are available, including pressure treated wood and chromated copper arsenate (CCA). CCA is no longer in production due to its harmful health effects, but it is still commonly used for treating wooden posts for fencing. Other treatments are more environmentally friendly and still provide adequate protection against moisture, rot, and pests.
Pickets or Boards
The planks of a wood fence are commonly referred to as pickets, although they’re also known as boards. These make up the majority of your fence’s visible surface and can be made from a wide range of materials. In general, homeowners choose their picket material based on aesthetic preferences, durability and other properties. Popular infill board options include cedar, cypress and redwood.
Depending on the type of wood you choose, your fence may need to be stained or painted to keep it looking fresh and to protect it from weathering. It’s a good idea to buy your pickets from a local lumberyard and handpick them for quality, as opposed to having them delivered in bulk. This will help you avoid getting planks with imperfections such as warping.
In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, solid wood fences are very durable and can last 30 years or more without becoming damaged or rotted. However, if you want to cut costs or reduce maintenance time, consider a vinyl-based fencing option instead of solid wood. These fences have a wood-look texture and are usually prefinished in a color that looks like painted wood from a distance.
Supporting rails, which run horizontally between the posts, provide stability and prevent the fence from sagging over time. Typically, these are made from pressure-treated lumber or cedar for their ability to withstand outdoor conditions and resist rot.
Cedar and cypress are common choices for wooden fences because they contain natural chemicals that deter insects. Other popular choices are spruce, which has a light coloring and is easy to stain but tends to turn gray with age, and hickory, which can be used as a privacy fence and is strong enough for windy areas.
Cap Boards
Cap boards are pieces that run flat along the top of your fence and provide a nice finishing touch. They’re typically made from the same material as your pickets or boards for a seamless look and can be crafted to match any style of wood fence. They also help protect the ends of your pickets from rain and moisture, which can lead to rot and decay.
When it comes to fencing, attention to detail is often overlooked. This is especially true when it comes to post caps. These decorative accents are placed on the top of wooden fence posts and can be a great way to add character and appeal to your property. However, are they really necessary?
In a regular wood fence, the top of the fence is left exposed and vulnerable to the elements. This can cause the fence to become weathered and damaged over time, which can make it less safe to use. However, with a cap and trim fence, the top of the fence is covered by a cap board to keep out rain and moisture. This can give your fence a much longer lifespan and increase its durability.
At the bottom of a cap and trim fence, there is usually a footer piece that is designed to match the style of the top cap for extra stability. These features can make a cap and trim fence more stable during heavy winds, making it safer to have around your home.
While a cap and trim wood fence might cost more than a regular wooden fence, it offers increased durability and curb appeal that will last for years to come. By choosing the right wood species, cap design, and trim profile, you can create a fence that is uniquely yours.
Kick Board
A kick board, also known as a mud or baseboard, is a piece of durable wood that runs along the bottom of the fence for a finished look and added protection. The kick board creates a barrier between the ground and the main fence panels, keeping the wood away from moisture that can cause rot. It is particularly important for fences that sit on a slope or are susceptible to flooding.
Fence posts are another vital component of a wood fence, providing the structure and support that hold up the entire fencing system. Posts can be buried underground, or they may be mounted on top of the fence panel for a more decorative appearance. In either case, fence posts should be as long as the final height of the fence plus any buried section to ensure adequate stability and durability.
Different types of wood are used in different regions, based on climate, weather patterns and susceptibility to insect infestation. Choose a type of wood that’s appropriate for your region’s conditions to ensure the fence can stand up to the elements, such as pressure-treated pine or spruce, or cedar, which has natural insect repellant properties and resists rot better than other species.
Almost anyone with basic carpentry skills and the proper tools can build a wood fence, but it’s important to consider the style of your property and local laws before choosing a wood fence design and building materials. A professional contractor will be able to help you select the right components for your home and advise you on local codes and ordinances that may affect the final cost of your project. A good plan and quality building materials are the keys to a successful wood fence project.
Trim Boards
There are a variety of options for wood fence trim boards. These are used to cover the exposed hardware and other unsightly areas of the fence, giving it a more finished look. They can also protect the wood from moisture and insects, extending its lifespan.
Depending on the type of wood and the climate, the longevity of a wooden fence can vary. For instance, pine may be a better choice for homeowners with a budget constraint or who live in a wet environment while cedar will work best for those looking for an extended lifespan. In both cases, it is important to choose a treated wood for maximum durability.
Supporting rails are another key component of wood fences, ensuring the strength and integrity of the entire structure. Ideally, they should be spaced evenly to prevent gaps between the vertical pickets or boards and to distribute the weight of the fence equally. Popular choices for supporting rails are pressure-treated wood, redwood, and cedar. Cedar is especially attractive because it is naturally resistant to rot and insect damage and has oils that deter pests. However, it tends to be more expensive than other types of wood.
One of the most popular decorative elements for wood fences is lattice panels, which feature intricate crisscross designs that create a timeless and elegant appearance. These can be placed on top of a fence or used to frame a gate or other entranceway, infusing a yard with beauty and style.
Carved wood is another popular option, adding a touch of sophistication and artistry to any fence design. Skilled artisans can sculpt various patterns, motifs, or nature-inspired scenes directly onto the fence panels for a truly custom look.