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A fence is a freestanding structure designed to restrict or prevent movement across a boundary. A fence differs from a wall in that a fence is generally a permeable structure, while a wall is solid. A fence restricts movement of people and pets; a wall restricts movement of people, pets, wind and water.
Most fences have a few things in common. Vertical posts are inserted into the ground and secured every six to eight feet. The horizontal fence material is then connected to the posts, creating the structure. In this buying guide, we will review the various types of fences, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of fence materials, and provide direction on finding a contractor and buying fence materials.
What is the purpose of the fence you are planning to install? Some fences are ornamental, enhancing the look of your property. Others provide a barrier, keeping strangers from your home, children from your pool area, or pets confined to kennel. Are you constructing a perimeter fence to surround your property, or are you constructing a fence around your pool or other feature of your property?
If your fence is in disrepair, you should consider your options to repair it before you make a decision to replace it.
Wooden fences: If part of your wooden fence has started to rot, you can replace and bad slats or posts with matching wood and refinished to match. This is a job your can do by yourself or you can have a contractor do it. However, if 20% or more of your fence boards has rot, it is probably time to replace your fence. It is a good idea to weight the costs and benefits of a large-scale repair against total replacement with a professional.
Chain link fences: Chain link fences are very durable, but eventually they will start to rust. If the rust is limited to 10-15% or the fence, it is probably worth removing and replacing the rusted sections. If you plan to work with a contractor, get his opinion on the integrity of the whole fence, and get estimates on both the cost of repair and the cost of replacement.
Wrought Iron Fences: Wrought iron fences are expensive to buy and install. If you have a wrought iron fence that is rusting, it may well be worth having the rust treated and repaired. If you put the job off, it will only get worse and repair will no longer be an option.
Brick, concrete or stone walls: The expense and time it takes to install a brick, concrete or stone wall is very significant. Give careful consideration to repairs before you decide to replace.
Before deciding to install a fence, you should have the answers to three questions:
Here is some help in answering those questions.
Skills required: Low-High. The skills required vary a lot depending on the type of fence and your terrain. Installing a wooden fence on a clear, level lot with top soil that is not rocky is a straightforward project that requires only limited skill. Installing a wrought iron fence with an electronic gate requires a high level of skill.
Time required: Time required is extremely variable. What materials will you be using? Chain link, for instance, installs faster than wood. How much space are your enclosing with the fence? Is the terrain flat and unobstructed? Wooded? Rugged? Into what kind of soil will you be placing posts (rocks take extra time and effort)? Installing a fence, particularly digging the holes, can be very strenuous work, particularly for a long fence and in rocky soil.
Vendor support: Variable. If you are buying raw materials, wood posts or rolls of chain link fence, support is low. If you are buying an integrated fence product that has all parts made by one manufacturer, directions are usually thorough and phone support is often available.
Wood: Wood is a versatile fencing material. Wood fences can be low and open, like a picket fence, and be largely ornamental. Wood fences can also be high and solid, to provide visual privacy and security. The part of the post that is below the ground is the most vulnerable to rot; using metal posts with wood slats will prolong the life of your fence. Wood posts can be finished round or angled. Different woods are available as fence materials. Fence wood is graded according to its quality and appearance, and the ratings from best to worst are clear, premium, select, standard and quality.
Chain-Link: This fence made of galvanized steel or aluminum has many excellent qualities. It provides excellent security, it is relatively easy and inexpensive to install, and is durable and low maintenance. Chain-link fences are an ideal choice for surrounding a pool.
The down side of a chain-link is that it is not very attractive, with a look that is more utilitarian than stylish.
Wrought-iron: An expensive material but provides a distinctive look. A high wrought iron fence presents a good barrier to intruders. This material provides a complementary accent to Victorian and early American homes. Wrought-iron fences require regular and significant maintenance. Steel and aluminum have recently been finished to look like wrought iron, and will be a lower maintenance alternative.
Stone, brick and concrete: Stone, brick and concrete walls provide the highest level of security and privacy. Concrete is the most economical of these materials, and it can be decorated with a layer of stucco which can be painted. Concrete can also be covered with a faux stone or brick outer layer. If money is no object, you can install genuine brick or stone walls. You’ll need a specialized artisan if you want to build a stone wall; this is not currently a common project.
Vinyl: These modular fences are primarily made of polyvinyl (PVC). Vinyl fences can be manufactured in the appearance of wood or metal, but they require very little maintenance. Vinyl fences can be used for ornamental purposes or they can provide privacy and security. They are relatively more expensive than wooden fences, but for the homeowner who prefers low-maintenance products, vinyl is a good long-term investment.
A fence gate can be a simple swinging gate used as the entry point through your pool’s chain link fence. It can gate can also be an ornate wrought-iron gate to your home’s driveway, equipped with remote controls and surveillance cameras. At a minimum, every gate you install should function properly. The prominent gates in your home, whether your driveway gate or the gate through your picket fence to your front walkway, are opportunities to make an initial impression to your guests and are worth an investment of thought, time, and money.
Master Halco and Hoover Fence, the two most popular fence brands, manufacture fences in a wide variety of styles and materials. Some of the other top brands specialize in manufacturing fences from only one or two materials. It is a good idea to go to home improvement stores or fence specialty stores to see a variety of models, materials, and brands as you are making your selection. Click here to see our selection of Top Fence Brands
Style generally refers to the overall look and feel of a home. Style can reflect a tone like casual, formal, or traditional; style can reflect influences from around the world, like French Country, Japanese, Swedish, or Tuscan. Style is your unique statement. A fence is one element of an overall design, but it is the first element your guests will see. It is important to get the design elements of a home working in concert to reflect a style. You do not want to use a traditional white picket fence if your home’s architecture and decorations are Japanese. A Victorian wrought-iron gate would not work well with a modern home. There are also certain elements of a home that traditionally relate closely to each other. A fence and its gates should have a close design relationship. The fence usually also relates closely to trellises, gazebos, and other outdoor structures. If you are not familiar with how fences reflect a specific style, it is a good idea to go to a fence specialty store. If you are unsure of what style each fence represents, ask a salesperson.
The terrain of your property will have a significant impact on the difficulty and cost of installing a fence. Take your terrain into consideration when selecting a material for your fence; chain link fences, for instance, can flex around obstacles like trees and boulders. If you are planning to work with a contractor and you have challenging terrain on your property, you should ask each prospective contractor how they plan to deal with your hills, trees, or boulders in the process of installing your fence.
The type of soil around your home will impact the difficulty and cost of the job. Posts in sandy or “un-firm” soil may need to be reinforced with concrete. If you have rocky soil, digging holes will take longer. If you are working with a contractor, he will check out your soil as part of his pre-bid inspection of your property.
You can have your fence built to any height, although local building codes often restrict maximum fence height. Fences that are sold in kits or in pre-assembled sections, like vinyl and wrought-iron, are manufactured and sold in standard sizes. Many fences are sold in 3, 4, 5 or 6-foot high sizes. Less common, but certainly available, are fences that are also sold in 7 and 8-foot high sizes.
The costs vary by material and fence height. Chain link is the least expensive to have installed, and costs about six dollars per foot (these quotes are in linear feet, not square feet). Wooden fences cost nine to ten dollars per foot for a 4-foot ornamental fence, or 14 to 15 dollars per foot for a security/privacy fence. Vinyl fences cost about 18 dollars per foot. Wrought-iron fences, or wrought-iron style aluminum or steel fences, cost 20 to 30 dollars per foot. You can save 60% of the cost of a chain-link or wood fence by installing it yourself, and 40% of a wrought-iron fence.
Fences are the first line of defense for home security. If security is one of your goals for installing a fence, here are some considerations:
A six foot high fence is considered a privacy fence. Making your home and land difficult or impossible to see helps deter intruders. For privacy look for solid walls (cement, brick or stone) or fences with few gaps between the fence material. You can enhance the privacy provided by your fence: slats can be woven into to a chain-link or tall shrubs can be planted in front of or behind a fence.
To create a challenging physical barrier, a fence should be eight feet high. For security purposes, you forgo installing a bar at the top of your chain-link fence, and deny would-be intruders a handhold. A flat wooden fence or plaster covered concrete wall does not provide a foot hold.
You can enhance security by installing perimeter cameras, perimeter alarm systems, and a home alarm system.