One of the essential considerations when building a fence is its longevity. You do not want to shortchange yourself by building a water-down fence that would break down or get damaged quite easily. You want something worth making because of its durability and would surely not mind paying more if the quality of the fence is excellent.
If it is your first time purchasing a fence, it will be best to choose something durable. Check if the materials used for your fence are long-lasting and resistant to natural elements like UV rays, rain, and other factors. Poorly manufactured barriers will break with ease, while well-made fences will last centuries.
Types of Material Used for Building Fences
As you search for the best fence for your needs, you will discover that fences come in different materials. Below is a rundown of the most common materials used for making fences:
1) Wrought Iron
Wrought iron is one of the most robust materials used for making fences. It can last for centuries without getting damaged. In Europe, you will find many old houses and castles with door and window covers made of wrought iron. These covers are still in perfect shape even after several centuries of use.
Present-day wrought irons get made of galvanized steel coated with powder to prevent corrosion, peeling, and chipping. They no longer consist of cast iron, the traditional material used for wrought iron. Cast iron, of course, tends to be brittle and not weather-resistant. Thus, it rusts and chips with ease.
You can count on wrought iron when it comes to longevity and strength. It is also weather resistant and does not age quickly. Thus, wrought iron will be the most durable and long-lasting material used for fences.
2) Chain-link
Many think that the chain link is quite weak as a fence. However, if you use a premium chain-link fence, such a fence can last for several decades. It will be best to choose an excellent chain link made of high-quality metal with powder coating to ensure that the chain link will be rust-resistant. Besides, if chain links are powder coated, your fence will not likely degrade over time.
Chain links made of quality metal are rigid and will not get damaged by direct blows. Of course, it may not last long like wrought iron, but you can expect it to last for several decades, especially with regular maintenance.
The intermittent posts you use to bolster the chain-link fence will play a critical role in the fence’s integrity. You must hammer the posts deep onto the ground. You can use the pneumatic driving method to push the posts deep into the ground without disturbing the surrounding soil. This pneumatic driving method, of course, makes the posts more resistant to storms and heavy wind.
3) Aluminum
Your fence should not only have strength. It should also be beautiful. Aluminum is one material you can shape well to make a stylish fence. An aluminum fence can be stylish and aesthetically pleasing. Besides, it is durable and can secure your property from intruders and keep your dogs and other pets contained.
The aluminum fence, however, requires regular maintenance. It will be best if you treat it regularly to keep it rust-resistant. With proper care, aluminum fences can last for fifty years or more.
4) Vinyl Fences
One of the increasingly becoming popular materials for fences is vinyl. A vinyl fence is an excellent alternative to a wooden fence. Vinyl fence is usually wrought in PVC or vinyl, making it weather resistant and durable. Even if your place experiences heavy snow or rain, the vinyl fence will lie there unperturbed. Vinyl fences do not require much maintenance, unlike wooden fences, which you need to maintain well.
Moreover, it will not fade, rot, peel, or chip. It is also resistant to pest and insect attacks. Furthermore, they require no sanding or staining. Vinyl fences are known to last for thirty years or more. Thus, you can enjoy your privacy while not worrying about security when you have a vinyl fence.
To maintain a vinyl fence, you only need water, soap, and a brush. You can also use a hose to clean it. Vinyl fences come in limited color options. Nevertheless, it comes in various styles like split rail, picket, and lattice.
5) Wood
Wood gets commonly used as fencing material. It is natural and can be susceptible to rotting and decay. However, some woods are more resistant to water and decay. So, if you decide to use wood for fencing, you should choose the wood that is more weather-resistant. However, you can also treat wood to make them more weather-resistant.
The use of wood as fences, however, may not be recommended because wood is not highly durable and is not entirely invulnerable to outdoor elements like moisture and UV lights. Besides, wood is susceptible to pest and termite attacks. As such, the use of timber as a fence is not encouraged.
6) Bricks
Brick is an excellent fencing material. It offers many advantages, including being termite-proof, fireproof, and windproof. It can also easily handle high winds, protect you from intruders, and provide you high level of privacy.
Bricks can survive hurricanes and severe storms. However, when opting for brick walls or fences, you should ensure that the craftsmanship is of a high level. Ensure that the bricks are of excellent sizes and that the sand is of excellent quality.
The wear and tear of bricks over time are slow, and bricks can last centuries. However, they may expand over time and crack. But still, you can expect bricks to last for a hundred years or more if installed and maintained correctly.
Other Factors that Have a Bearing on the Longevity of the Fence
Aside from the materials used for making fences, other factors could have a bearing on the longevity of a fence. Pressure and stress, for example, from high wind, could accelerate the wear and tear of your fence and could compromise the stability of your fence. Besides, movements of the ground can also impact the longevity of your wall. Moreover, hydrostatic pressure can also affect the integrity of your barrier. Here are the other factors you should be wary of when building a wall:
Added Stress and Pressure on the Fence
If you got children who love to play around your compound, they might climb the fence more often, which could deliver additional stress on your fence. Besides, even the occasional climbing on the wall of the meter readers might put pressure on the wall. So, it will be best if you warn those children and meter readers not to climb on the wall because this habit can compromise the wall’s integrity.
Climate and Weather
Weather changes can surely impact the fence of your house. If your fence is of wood, wrought iron, aluminum, or any other material susceptible to weather and temperature changes, you might soon find your fence succumbing to the vicissitudes of the weather.
So, you must ensure that you often inspect your fence to see if there are cracks or damages. After a hurricane or storm, check if the fence is still sound and without damage. This way, you can prolong the integrity of your fence.
Usage and Purpose
Fences are made for various reasons and purposes. You can build a fence to delineate your property boundaries. You can also create a wall to contain your livestock. So, at the onset, you should fashion your fence depending on its intended purpose.
A sturdier and more robust fence is necessary if you want to contain your cattle. If your purpose is to prevent robbery, you can further enhance your fence and equip it with other security features.
Pests and Insects
If your area gets infested with pests like termites, you should use fencing materials resistant to pests. Pests and insects can gnaw on your wall if it is of wood. Soon, you will find a wooden fence decaying and rotting. So, it will be best to consider the presence of pests and termites when choosing a material for building your fence.
How Can You Extenuate Your Fence Lifespan?
Of course, in this world, nothing lasts forever. Yet, as Stephen R. Covey once said, you should maintain a P/PC balance. P stands for production, while PC means production capability. Your fence provides you privacy and security, and as long as your fence is stable and strong, it will continue to provide you with security and privacy.
Yet, if it gets damaged and its integrity compromised, it becomes a liability. Hence, to keep enjoying the privacy and security (P) provided by your fence, you should learn how to maintain it properly (PC). Below are some of the tips you can follow to keep your fence robust:
Inspect Your Fence Regularly
Inspect your fence every month or when possible to determine if there are damages to it. You need to know if there are minor damages, especially after a storm or hurricane, because these minor damages can balloon into major damages.
So, if you are aware of these minor damages, you can remedy or fix these insignificant damages. This way, you will not be dealing with a significant repair that can cost you more.
Check for Outgrowth of Roots, Trees, or Shrubs
To keep your fence integral and robust, you should also check for the outgrowth of roots and shrubs along the line of fence. If you see weeds and other shrubs growing along the fence line, you should do away with them quickly. Root growth at the foot of the fence can compromise the wall’s integrity.
Clear the Fence Line of Any Debris and Leaves
Leaves and debris can accumulate at the bottom of the foot of the fence. These leaves and debris can harbor pests and bacteria that could compromise the fence’s integrity. If your wall, for example, is made of wood, soon, these pests and bacteria will be gnawing on the wooden structure of your fence.
Ensure Your Fence gets Installed by Professionals
When installing a fence, you should ensure that professionals install the fence. This way, you can ensure that the fence gets correctly installed and follows the specifications and regulations governing fence construction. Besides, you should ensure that the fence is safely installed and not dangerous to your family and other people.
Communicate with Your Neighbors
If your property is contiguous or adjacent to your neighbors’ properties, you should communicate to your neighbors your intention to build a fence. Coordinate with them to know if they would not mind constructing your wall. Besides, informing them will help you prevent any misunderstanding with your neighbors that could stem from the construction of your fence.
What is the Most Durable Fence?
As mentioned above, a fence’s longevity hinges on many factors. Yet, if we consider alone the material from which the fence gets made, we could say that the most durable fence is usually the galvanized chain-link fence. The chain-link fence gets traditionally made of galvanized steel, so it will not require much maintenance.
Besides, it will be rust and weather-resistant. Furthermore, it is economical. Chain-link comes in different varieties. You can go for vinyl-coated options, likewise. You can also have it customized for your needs.
Conclusion
A fence should last longer because it protects you from intruders and provides privacy. Property fences have various uses and purposes, yet you should maintain them well to prolong their longevity. Remember that maintenance is better than a total overhaul of your fence.
If you build a fence, it will be best to know your options. Reading through this post will enable you to familiarize yourself with the different options. Knowing these options can help you choose the best fence material for your needs.
