When you see a completed wooden fence, you may overlook all the different parts and pieces that make up the finished product. However, there are many different parts of a wood fence and each part plays an important role in keeping your fence strong and secure. In this article, we will look at all the different parts of a wood fence, the different types of wooden fences, and how long it takes to build a wood fence. Ready to learn more about building a wooden fence for your home or commercial property? Contact the experts at Jay Fencing now for more information!
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Common Parts of a Wood Fence
Wondering how your wooden fence comes together? This section outlines the different parts of a wood fence and explains their importance to the overall fence structure.
Fence Boards
Fence boards, sometimes referred to as fence panels, are what most people think of when they visualize the word “fence.” The boards are what provide privacy and security, and come in a wide variety of styles (such as board on board, solid board, horizontal board, and more!) Not all wooden fences have boards. For example, post and rail fences are made exclusively from posts and rails. However, if you are looking for a wooden privacy fence, you will need a fence with boards to provide that privacy.
The way that the fence boards are connected can provide more or less privacy. For example, a solid board fence will have each board connected side by side, allowing zero gaps and full privacy. A shadowbox fence provides a great deal of privacy, but does leave some space between the boards, allowing some visibility between boards. To learn more about wood privacy fence boards/panels, click here to read our buyer’s guide, or click here to read our ultimate guide to fence boards.
Fence Posts
Fence posts are an extremely important part of your wooden fence. Without strong and sturdy fence posts, your fence will not last. There is more to a fence post than the eye can see – part of the post is buried firmly underground. You can think of fence posts like you think of the foundation of your house. That is why proper post hole digging and installation is so important. When it comes to aesthetics, posts can be designed and decorated in a variety of ways depending on your preferences. Some posts are almost unrecognizable and blend in with the boards. Others stand taller than the rest of the fence and have decorative caps or designs. What your fence posts look like is up to you, your preferences, and your budget.
Fence Rails
Fence rails are the parts of the fence that run horizontally. Many wooden privacy fences will have rails at the top and the bottom. Some wooden fence styles will also have another rail added to the middle of the fence for added strength as well as aesthetics. Rails are an important part of your wooden fence because the rails attach each of your fence panels. Without rails, your fence may very well fall apart! Rails are often unnoticed but play an important role in maintaining the integrity of your fence.
Types Of Wooden Fences
When it comes to wooden fences, there are many options for you to choose from. Many people choose wooden fences due to their durability, versatility, and natural look. All fence types have pros and cons. Some pros of wooden fences include:
- Easily customizable
- Naturally beautiful look
- Ease of installation, especially for experienced installers
- Offer lots of privacy & safety for children and pets
- Very strong and affordable, depending on type of wood
Of course, like all products, wooden fences are not perfect. When choosing the right fence for you and your family, it’s important to look at both the pros and cons. Some cons of wooden fences include:
- Posts may rot if improperly installed
- Requires regular maintenance
- Can be damaged by pests, weather, and rot (especially if built with poor quality wood)
Ensuring you work with an experienced installer and selecting the right type of wood the climate you live in, can help eliminate some of the potential problems that come with wooden fences. If you think a wooden fence is right for you, but aren’t set on a certain style yet, view the comparison graphic below to learn more about the most common types of wooden fences.
As mentioned above, each type of wooden fence can be built with a wide variety of wood types. Along with your fence style, you’ll need to choose between different woods to build your fence. The wood used to build your fence can vary significantly in price depending on wood quality and even your location! Some trees only grow in certain parts of the country, and therefore can be quite costly to ship hundreds of kilometers away. That may reflect in the price, depending on your location. See the list below to learn more about some of the most common wood types used to build fences.
- Pressure Treated Pine $ – A practical, well-priced option. Chemically treated to resist rot, insects, and moisture. Not the strongest wood type, but good for those on a tighter budget.
- Cedar $$–$$$ – Beautiful and naturally resistant to rot, insects, and moisture. Always a great choice for fence boards. Cedar is usually relatively affordable.
- Redwood $$$ – Naturally resistant to rot, insects, and moisture. Comes in a beautiful red colour; prized for both its aesthetics and strength.
How Long Does It Take To Build A Wood Fence?
Now that you know about all the major components of a wooden fence, you may be wondering how long it takes to get the final product. There are a number of factors that play a role in determining how long it will take to build your wooden fence. T
Fence Size & Bylaws
he first thing to consider is how big is your fence going to be? A fence surrounding a small backyard in the city will of course take much less time than a fence surrounding a half-acre property. It is also important to note the fencing bylaws of your area and to find out all information beforehand. If you begin building a fence that is not in line with local bylaws, you may have to start over! That can end up taking a significant amount of time.
Experienced Installers VS Do-It-Yourself
Another big factor to consider when estimating the time it will take to build your fence is whether you are going the do-it-yourself route or choosing to hire a professional installation company. The biggest challenge any DIYer will run into when building their own fence is post hole digging. Post hole digging is not only difficult, it is potentially dangerous. Digging by hand will take up a large amount of time – time that most people just don’t have. The other option is to use a post hole digger. Post hole diggers are a good option if you know what you are doing. For the inexperienced DIYer, a post hole digger can cause serious injury if used incorrectly. Because this is not a one-day job, the potential for repetitive muscle strain, exhaustion, and even heat stroke become increasingly likely.
Even if you do not have any ergonomic issues while digging, you may run into some serious technical issues. Post holes must be dug in a precise location. If the hole is even a little bit off, you will have to fill the hole and start again – leaving a nasty scar on your landscape! If you are not experienced working with soil, you may not realize you have rocky or wet soil until you’ve already begun. Both these conditions can make for a difficult or nearly impossible DIY post hole digging experience, or they may end up adding days or even weeks to the fence building process.
The best way to build a high-quality fence efficiently and quickly is by relying on trusted experts. A professional installation company will know how to manage the potential problems they may run into such as an uneven landscape, rocky soil, or issues with local bylaws. A professional and reputable company will be able to work through these issues quickly, but without sacrificing quality.
Install Your Perfect Wooden Fence With Jay Fencing!
One of the best ways to figure out which type of wood and fence style is best for you is by choosing a reputable installation company. An experienced installer will help you know what’s best for you, your property, and your family.
They will also know and understand fair pricing, and will only do the highest quality work. Avoid confusion and skip right to your beautifully installed fence of your dreams with Jay Fencing!
At Jay Fencing Ltd, you can feel confident that we will only recommend products or services that are best for you and your needs. This means you won’t be buying any unnecessary products or services that will make the price go up.
We offer free onsite consultations for all the jobs we quote on!
“I bought a new house which meant work – the fence was a disaster! When I came home from work the day it was finished I stood there with tears in my eyes. The transformation was incredible and I couldn’t get a word out. The fence was perfect, but the gate was the miracle. The team doing my fence had created a masterpiece in wood. I never expected it to be THAT good! Thank you so much to everyone who worked on the fence. I am one VERY happy customer!”
-Cathy Goudie, A Jay Fencing Customer – Read More Testimonials Here!
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