Residential Fences
Residential fences are more aesthetic than an agricultural fence. They may be used to create privacy, keep children out of pools, pets in yards, define boundaries in the yard, or hide something. In all cases people prefer the fences to look nice since they will frequently be looking at them.
Types of Residential Fences
Wood Panel Fencing
Wood panel fences are a common type of residential fence. They come in many materials from cedar, pine, cypress, and red wood. These fences are usually not too expensive to install and come in many different styles. They can be tall privacy fences or decorative picket fences.
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One down side to these fences is they require some maintenance. Repainting or staining of the wood will be required every few years to maintain the life of the fence. Keeping ground contact to a minimum on the fence will improve the life of the panels. This will prevent rot and termites from destroying your fence.
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Overall this fence is popular since it is aesthetically pleasing and not too expensive to install.
Chain link fences used to be the go to fence. Like an agricultural fence, they keep things in and keep things out very well. They are not very pleasing to look at, but they will do their job well.
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The amount of maintenance required is minimal since metal does not rot. The galvanized fences can be expected to be around for 20+ years with little work. Within the last 20 years, the chain link fence began to be coated with colored plastic to make them more aesthetically pleasing. These coatings also help reduce rust and corrosion of the fence to help it last longer.
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If you do not like the look of an existing chain link fence, they now have printed clothes you can hang on the fence. These clothes can make the fence appear as a hedge, brick wall, forest, or a solid color depending on your preference.
Chain Link Fence
Wrought Iron Fence
Wrought iron fences are elegant to look at and create a big impression, but are one of the more expensive types of fences. These fences usually require a specialized contractor to install them and reinforced posts to support them. Since these fences are so heavy and robust, they will last for decades with little maintenance.
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Recently, manufacturers have figured out how to bring the look of the wrought iron fence to the public without the cost. They will use coated aluminum to produce fence panels that can be used for accent pieces or perimeter fences for the fraction of the cost. The only downside is these fences are not as robust as the wrought iron fences.
Masonry and stone fences are the most expensive fence. The labor required to stack the stone or mortar the bricks adds days to a projects. What may take a day to put up a wooden fence, will take weeks with stone or masonry. The upsides to all of this work is you can create a fence that conforms to the landscape more readily. You will have less issues with hills and obstacles since you can build them into or around the fence.
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These fences will last for decades with little maintenance. Overtime, there may be settling that will require re-stacking or patching cracks in the fence, but it will remain solid.
Stone/Masonry Fences
Split Rail Fence
Split rail fences used to be the main type of fence in the country. People used them to keep animals out of their gardens or in small stock yards on farms. Today this fence is used primarily as a decorative fence. It has a rustic charm to it and makes a yard feel more established.
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These fences are like the wood panel fences in that you will want to monitor their condition periodically to ensure they do not rot out. Other than replacing rails from time to time, they are fairly maintenance free.
