About Wood Fencing
Versatile and creative a wood fence can be an
excellent choice. You can expect years of protection, value and privacy. The
sheer beauty look of wood is the primary reason to select it as your fencing
material. A properly designed, finely crafted woods and skillfully installed
wood fence takes on an individual quality all its own-independent of its
surroundings. Matched to the style of your house and grounds, it will enhance
your home's appearance and add to its value. But as with any investment, it
pays to do your homework and research. Wood fencing comes in a wide range of
qualities, colors, sizes and types. Before you buy, spend a little time getting
to know what's type of woods currently available. You'll get the most value for
your money. And the right fence for your need to your mansion.
What material should you choose?
Most fences are made from wood. It's affordable,
versatile and easy to obtain. It comes in uniform sizes, and it's the easiest
material for a homeowner to use. You can finish it with paint or stain. Or, if
you use treated wood or cedar, you can let it age to a natural color.
Proper installation is the key to an attractive,
long-lasting fence. The single greatest problem with wood fences is premature
failure of the posts. Wood does not hold up well to ground contact and once the
posts begin to fail, the appearance of the fence is compromised. I believe the
best solution is to use steel posts to construct your wood fence. At the very
least, be sure you use quality posts and rails made from softwoods that are
naturally rot resistant such as cedar or redwood, or those that have been
pressure-treated to limit rotting. Buy hot-dip-galvanized, aluminum and
stainless steel fasteners, which are all corrosion-resistant. Other types are
not recommended because they can rust and disintegrate, or react adversely with
the natural preservative oils present in some wood.
The appearance quality of the boards you choose
will make all the difference in the way your finished fence looks. You'll find
different grades that meet the quality specifications of published grading
rules or product standards. These standards have been developed to ensure the
structural integrity and appearance you'd expect for the intended use of the
product.
Typical wood grade descriptions are:
- Clear - Its limited number
of natural characteristics make it the grade to specify when you want a
fence board with the highest-quality appearance. This is the most
expensive of all the grades mentioned.
- Premium (also referred to as
#1 two face) - The occasional small tight knot adds interest to this type
of fence. This lumber is graded for the same appearance on both faces
(sides) and edges.
- Select (#1 one face) - The
same as premium on one face, it allows limited defect characteristics on
the other face.
- Standard - Allows more
appearance defects than select or premium on one graded face and limited
defect characteristics on the other face.
- Standard
and Better -
Allows more appearance defects than select or premium on one graded face
and limited defect characteristics on the other face.
- Quality - This economy grade
has greater limiting characteristics and is the lowest cost. Knots that
may become knotholes can be expected with this grade of product.
Remember that one key to an attractive fence is
uniformity. For example, when using rough-sawn lumber, uniform natural
characteristics will make the finished project more pleasing. The grade of
lumber will determine the number and size of defects. If you opt for lower cost
grades, you should expect defects to be consistent with that grade. Some
retailers will permit you to sort through the lumber stacks, selecting only the
very best pieces to your liking. If you are having a fence built, you should
expect the contractor to only reject those boards that do not fall within the
grading rules for the product you selected. It is important that you and your
contractor agree on what your wood fence will look like when completed.
Upkeep for a wood fence system depends on how you'd
like your fence to look in years to come. Do you want it to match the color of
your house? Show off the hard work you've done with landscaping? Or weather
naturally to a silver gray? Your goals will determine your maintenance costs.
Using a good grade of materials and allowing them to weather naturally will
give you a long-lasting fence with no maintenance. If you paint the fence, your
maintenance costs will depend on the painting cycle of your house.
Which style suits your home?
Wood fencing materials let you choose from a wide
range of styles limited only by your imagination. Consider all the
possibilities before you decide. And remember that a properly designed and
well-built wood fence can complement your home so naturally; it will look like
it grew right in place.
Available styles:
- Solid
Board -
Available with a cap rail for an estate look, this style also can be
arched or scalloped for a flowing look that highlights the post, which can
be finished with a decorative topping.
- Shadowbox - This privacy fence
allows breezes to pass through, looks attractive from both sides and is
easy to build.
- Spaced-Picket - Popular for its
versatility and perhaps the most traditional of American fences, it makes
a good border while providing an open view.
- Lattice
Top -
This privacy fence allows privacy yet provides vision through the lattice
top. Lattice's open design breaks a strong wind into a light breeze.
- Stockade - Another popular
early American style, it offers a classic New England look.
- Basket
Weave -
Attractive when viewed from either side, it is very strong and makes an
appealing privacy fence. It's also an attractive backdrop for plantings.
- Vertical
Board on Board -
Another privacy fence, its attractive design requires three rails with
boards attached to each side.
- Post
and Rail -
This fence combines an open view with exceptional sturdiness. The
different types available allow you to create a unique look for your
landscape. Add wire mesh inside the fence for containment of pets or
children.
Use the following types to create a rustic boundary
or accent for your property:
- Split
Rail -
Western Red Cedar in either two or three rail design.
- Split
Rail -
West Virginia Split rail in either two or three rail design. A true
Appalachian look.
- Round
Doweled Post & Rail - This system creates a uniform appearance that flows with
your landscape.
- Ranch
Rail -
A popular look for equestrian containment. This system can be finished in
black or white.
- Guard
Rail -
Traditional decorative fence system for parking lots, parks or golf
courses.
Adding your gate
It's the most important part of your fence and
since it's also the only moving part, it's susceptible to sagging, sticking or
slipping out of alignment. Properly designed gates will use quality hardware to
help maintain proper operation.
- Gate
posts are critical for wood fences. Woods tendency to warp and twist can
cause any gate design to become misaligned. Earlier, I mentioned a
preference of steel post for wood fencing. This post is the solution for
natural warping and twisting of wood posts.
- Make
sure to size your gate post can handle the weight of a gate. Wider gates
require larger posts that will not bend under the stress created from
opening and closing the gate.
Several types of gate hardware are available:
- Gate
Hardware that is coated with an epoxy and then a polyester finish will
yield long term resistance against fading and rust.
- Another
option is gate hardware made from molded plastic and stainless steel.
Benefits of this system are you can lock the gate like your front door.
Reliable latching action with a sleek design and 100% rust-free
components.
Gate Frames are another source of failure with wood
gates. The following solutions will result in a wood gate that will perform to
your expectations:
- For
a wood frame gate use a gate sag prevention kit that includes a turnbuckle
for adjustments as the gate wears.
- For
sturdy framework, your rails are attached to the steel gate frame and then
the boards are attached to the gate rails.
Customize your fence
Workability and adaptability are two key benefits
of wood fence systems. These benefits allow you or your design professional to
create a unique system. Your fence section can be flat, arched or scalloped.
Boards or pickets can be topped to match or create a design. Fence posts can
even be topped to match your boards. Left as a flattop post, the addition of
unique post caps will put the last finished detail on your fence. Caprails and
fascia boards add elegance and create a more formal look. Arbors, trellis and
pergolas can be incorporated with fence systems creating your own personal
touch and look.
Editor’s
Note: Jerry Short is Wood Fence Product Manager
for Master-Halco. He has more than 20 years of industry experience in building
and selecting wood fences. For more information on fence systems, visit www.fenceonline.com