The material you choose for your fence determines how well it will function, its durability and longevity, as well as how well it coordinates with the style of your home. Some of the most popular fence materials include:
Classic and timeless, wood is a popular choice for fence panels and border fencing for its stylish appearance and durable structure.
Lumber used for fence panels has a lower upfront cost than many other wood alternatives. To get an even, seamless and stylish looking wooden fence, you may need to pay for professional installation. Wooden fences can be painted or stained with any finish you want so you can customize your fence to suit your home's landscape.
Look for pressure-treated pine, cedar, or redwood when selecting wooden fence panels. The procedure uses a vacuum to preserve the wood to give the panels better durability and weather-resistance. This gives you a longer-lasting fence that requires little to no maintenance or sealants. Cedar, cypress, and redwood also have natural insect repellant properties making it an excellent choice for homes that are prone to termite infestations.
Composite fence panels are made from a mixture of wood and either resin or plastic to give you a fence that has the stylish appearance of natural wood with the hard-wearing, low-maintenance properties of synthetic material.
Composite can be more expensive than other types of fence panels, but you will offset a large initial investment by saving long-term on staining and sealing costs. Composite panels come in an extensive range of colors and finishes to gives you more options to find the perfect tone to suit your garden or yard.
A simple and affordable way to create a fence is with vinyl panels. They usually come preassembled and consist of wooden posts sunk into the ground for stability and covered with a vinyl sleeve to which are attached the fence palings and toppers.
While they will not give you the texture and natural appeal of a solid wood fence, they are an excellent option for security and decorative picket fences for your front yard. The finish is extremely durable so they can withstand the elements without the need for continual painting or staining.
Metal fences are exceptionally sturdy and long-lasting, which makes them a suitable option for security fencing around your home. They are also a great way to enclose your home without visually cutting off your yard from view so you can showcase your home's exterior.
Aluminum fencing is amazingly versatile and can be easily installed to fit the contours of your yard. It is low-maintenance and highly-weather resistant. It is also exceptionally durable because it is not susceptible to rust, moisture, or sun damage. You can customize the look and function of your fence with the addition of decorative caps or spikes for security.
Wrought iron is a heavy-duty material that is ideal for security fences as it is difficult to cut through exceptionally hard to move due to its weight. Wrought iron also adds a stately look to your yard, making it an excellent choice for traditional homes. However, wrought iron fences require regular sanding and repainting to avoid rust.
Bamboo is the most eco-friendly material used for fence panels and gives a casual, organic look to your yard. While you can use live bamboo for fencing as it is an extremely fast-growing species, bamboo fence panels are more durable and versatile.
Bamboo is also inexpensive, easy to install, and ideally suited for privacy fencing around pools, hot tubs, and patios. Using bamboo panels also enables you to you create natural-looking borders around your garden without interfering with the growth of your plants.