Fences – Wood Fence Types
Although there are so many modern materials being developed all the time, sometimes the old favourites such as wood are the most popular. When it comes to garden fences this is probably very true. Perhaps it’s because we want to get back to nature when we are in our gardens and leave the modern world behind us.
One of the most popular choices when it comes to wooden fences is cedar. Not only is it beautiful to look at but it also offers some great benefits such as being rot and insect resistant. There are also a couple of shade you can choose from such as Western Red Cedar which has a red color and Northern White Cedar which has a yellow color.
Cedar fences can do pretty well without being cared for but if you want to keep your cedar fence for as long as possible then you ensure that you care for it every so often. You can use oils which can act as a barrier to moisture and it will also enhance the appearance of the cedar. Alternatively there are stains which can be used on wood fences and these should also have a UV protection.
If you decide that you don’t want cedar for any reason, you can possibly choose redwood instead. It looks great and is naturally resistant to insects because of compounds that are naturally present in the wood. There are also compounds present which fight off mildew.
You don’t really need to stain redwood because it’s already the color that most people love. It’s really the color that people are attracted to when buying a redwood fence. Instead of staing redwood fencing you could try using a shellac or oil. This will really help a lot when it comes to extending the life of the fence.
Although the above woods are great as fence materials, you should also look at composites because they are even more practical. Composites are made from a mixture of resin and wood shavings which creat a real wood look but with added benefits. They last considerably longer than real wood and don’t need any caring for. With so many things to do in life, caring for a fence is probably not a priority for you.
Although you can pain composites, you don’t really need to unless you change your mind about the colour. Composite fences can work out more expensive but you might feel that in the long run they are cheaper because they last longer and don’t need caring for.
Not only should you look at the materials on offer for fencing but you should also look at the styles available.
How you go about desiging your fence will depend greatly on what materials you have decided to choose, your budget and also the ability of the person who has to do the work. There is no end to the amount of designs you can come up with and it’s well worth spending time on this aspect of your garden.
Probably the most popular fence of all time is the picket fence. It’s a very traditional style which is unlikey to ever go out of fashion. Although they are everywhere, seeing those boards lined up next to each other is very pleasing on the eye. Many variations cap the fence with a lattice-type fencing that lets through sunlight and gives the fence a stylish look.
Another option which is still very simple is to have the slats next to each other but they are positioned offset alternately. Small animals will still be able to get thrugh the fence but you will still be able to retain privacy. Sometimes the simplest designs are the best because you don’t get easily bored of them. This is all just part of the landscaping ideas. If you do then you can simply grow plants up them which will help to mask the fence.