The New Fence
Kim Kinrade
The European
countries began doing away with wood as a staple constructing material after
they cleared most of their forests to build ships. Added to this were the fiery
holocausts like like ones that burned most of London. In any event wood became
a luxury item and not a basic building item as it is in North America.
However, wood in this part of the world has seen its also seen zenith. The site of huge, limbed trees heading down the road on large trucks is becoming a scarce sight. Instead trees are taken at earlier stage in their lifecycle so the lumber created can twisted and full of knots. So for finishing work, fences and decks wood has lost its appeal with both builders and homeowners. When you ad to the mix the threat of insects and extreme weathering wood loses even more ground to new products like vinyl, composites and aluminum which, in some case, are coming out on top for pricing, as well.
Vinyl
A
newcomer to the market scarcely 20 years ago vinyl is now the first choice for
fencing in around 8-9% of consumers. Vinyl,
or PVC, fences are low maintenance
because they com already colored. Like their siding counterpart from a
distance vinyl fencing parts resemble the traditional picket or other wood
fence designs. They won't splinter or degrade from insects or water
But the main draw is that PVC does not expand and contract with temperature changes. They become more brittle in the cold making them susceptible to damage. If not put up right they can bulge and distort in hot weather just like vinyl siding and is subject to staining. As well, the upfront cost is more than wood and chain-link. Depending on the color the fence will have to be cleaned at some point.
Aluminum
Like aluminum soffits and gutters
aluminum fencing is almost impervious top weather and insects. When you ad
this plus to the fact that extreme heat and cold does not affect aluminum you have a first-rate substitute
for wood and a product that is more durable than vinyl. Aluminum is also available in many different
styles and colors and, because of its powder coating, will not stain.
The main drawback to aluminum is that it is susceptible to knocks and bumps and can be damaged. Even if the treatment is not that rough aluminum pickets can look bad after being hit by a bicycle or a scrape from a car bumper. And like vinyl it is expensive depending on the style.
Chain-Link
Chain-link
fences lost their industrial image years ago. They are still cheap and quick
to put up but they now come in different colors coated with a colored vinyl to
blend into any background. The green is great for blending into a hedge but
if the fence is exposed there are a few privacy options available. There are
colored privacy panels additions that can slide into the links and there is a
product called known as a "perma-hedge," is sort of like artificial
tree branches you can weave into the fence. As for cost it is approximately 1/3
that of aluminum and vinyl and, depending on the price of steel, can be cheaper
than wood.
Wood
Even with recent cost increases wood ranks amongst the cheapest of materials. Pressured-treated wood will last a minimum of 15 years if it is untreated with cedar lasting even longer. If it is stained every 3-4 years it will last longer than that. The key is keep the wood away from the ground and trees which will attract insects. Posts should be mounted on cement footings with a metal brace to avoid rot.
Recycled Plastic Blends
The newest trend in fencing is materials made from a combination of recycled wood and plastic from milk jugs and other such grades. Working in tandem the plastic shields the wood from moisture and insect damage so there's no rotting or splintering and the wood protects the plastic from UV damage. Most of these products come in a variety of colors so there is no finishing work and have warranties for longevity. As well, the material can be drilled and cut like wood.
Whatever choice you make as far as material go it is important to understand that every fence needs to be looked after. Because even the cheapest fence can last years longer if the proper care is given.