Photo: Randy Fass
Have you ever wondered if some fences have fallen a few years later, but the other fences appear to stand forever? Or why does that chain look like it’s completely different to someone else’s wooden fence linking the school fence? In fact, there is a lot of science to build better barriers than most people notice.
Fences aren’t just random materials stuck in the ground. The best are carefully planned and built with a particular job in mind. Whether someone needs to keep their pets safe, mark a property line, or protect valuable equipment, the right barrier can make all the difference.
What actually makes the fence stronger
The secret to a long-lasting fence begins before everyone hammers in their first post. It starts with understanding what the fence has to do and what it will face over the years. Fences that work well in calm suburban neighborhoods can fail completely on windy construction sites.
Basic work is more important than anything. The posts must be sufficiently deep into the ground to remain stable, and spaced apart by a reasonable distance. It’s too far away and the fence is slack. You’re just getting too close and wasting your money. Most good fences have posts every 6-8 feet, which can vary based on the type of fencing and what you need to deal with.
Material choices come down to the work that the fence needs to do. Chain links work well when people need to see through barriers, but they still keep things separate. Solid wood panels provide privacy, but block airflow. This increases the chances that it will actually be blown away by strong winds. Metal fencing can last for decades, but it costs more positively than other options.
A proper installation technique separates the failed fence from the subsequent fence. For most permanent installations, the posts must be set up in concrete, and that concrete requires time to properly treat. The gates are constantly open and closed, and require additional support as they stress the hinges and frames.
Get the right materials for your job
In various situations, completely different approaches to fencing are required. Homeowners who want to put their dogs in their backyard have very different needs than businesses seeking to secure expensive equipment overnight.
Residential fencing usually focuses on privacy, appearance and keeping children and pets safe. Wood, vinyl and aluminum are popular options as they look good and require little maintenance. The fence does not need to stop the determined intruder. It just provides basic boundaries and privacy.
Height is important for security fencing. A 3-foot fence may keep honest people honest, but it doesn’t stop people who really want to participate. Most security installations start at 6 feet tall, with 8 feet common to high security areas.
Weather and Environmental Issues
Some weather can be quite difficult with outdoor structures, and fences throbbing year by year. The sun, rain, wind and temperature all work against fence materials in a variety of ways.
- Ultraviolet rays from intense sunlight break down many materials over time. Plastic and vinyl fencing can be brittle and cracked. Even treated wood can fade and weaken. Metal fencing generally treats the sun better, but it gets very hot during the summer.
- Rain and humidity can cause a variety of problems. If not properly treated and maintained, the wood can rot. Metal will rust, especially if the protective coating is scratched or damaged. Even concrete fence posts can break if the water becomes small cracks or freezes, but that’s not the problem in most Australian climates.
- The wind places great stress on fences, especially solid panels that catch air like sails. This is why many commercial equipment uses fencing in gaps or mesh designs through which wind passes. In windy areas, proper post spacing and deep foundations become even more important.
- The salty vibe near the coast creates additional challenges. Standard galvanizing in metal fencing may not be sufficient protection. Stainless steel hardware and special coatings help the fence last longer in these harsh coastal environments.
Photo: Skyler Ewing
Installation secrets that make a difference
Professional fence installers know the tricks they’ll do their job in the past decades, not years. These techniques are often skipped when people try to save money with cheap installations, but they separate great fences from great fences.
– The posthole should be of the right depth and width. The general rule is that a third of the post should be underground, which can vary depending on the soil condition and the height of the fence. Sandy soils require deeper holes than clay soils. Because it doesn’t hold the post tightly.
– Proper drainage around the post prevents many long-term problems. Water pooling around the fence pillars can cause rot, rust, or concrete damage. A good installer creates a small slope around the post, so water runs rather than collecting.
– Special care is required for gate installation as the gate is part of a fence that is likely to have problems. Posts that support gates require additional reinforcement and hinges must be evaluated against gate weight. Many gate problems arise from using hardware that is too light for work.
– The telescopic joint may seem like unnecessary complexity, but it prevents cracking on long runs of fencing. The material expands and contracts with temperature changes, and the hard connections crack under this stress. The proper joints allow the fence to move slightly without being damaged.
Common mistakes that ruin a good fence
Even expensive fencing materials can quickly fail if certain mistakes occur during planning or installation. These problems appear again and again and are usually preventable with better planning.
Skipping the permit process will cause headaches later. Many areas require permission from fences at a certain height or at a particular location. Building without proper permission means that the entire fence will need to be demolished and rebuilt to meet local requirements.
Incorrect spacing between posts is probably the most common structural mistake. Posts that are too far away will cause the fence to droop and put extra stress on the connection points. This leads to early failure, even if it is a good material.
Insufficient specific mixing and curing leads to looser posts over time. Concrete around the fence must be correct and consistent when pouring, and the appropriate time is required to treat it. If you rush this step, you will have a weak connection that will fail under stress.
Building fences for the past few decades
Regular inspections capture small issues before they become bigger. Loose connections, small areas of damage, or early signs of rust can be easily secured if caught early. The cost of waiting for a large repair is much higher and you may need to replace the larger section.
Cleaning and maintenance schedules depend on fence materials and environment. Metal fences may require annual cleaning and touch-up painting. Wooden fences may need to be dyed or sealed every few years. Even low-maintenance vinyl fencing can help remove dirt and mold by occasional cleaning.
Exchange plans will help you budget for your future needs. There are no fences that last forever, but a good plan can significantly extend your lifespan. Knowing which components are most likely to require replacement first can help prepare for maintenance costs.
Access for maintenance should be considered during the initial installation. Fences that cannot be reached for cleaning or repairs do not receive the care they need to last. Planning maintenance access from the start prevents problems later.
Summary: Get the best results…
Building a barrier that actually works requires immediate balance of needs and long-term performance. The front of the cheapest options rarely proves to be the best value over time. Good fencing is an investment that pays off through years of reliable performance.
Quality materials are important, but proper installation is even more important. The best fencing materials in the world don’t work well even if they’re installed incorrectly. Professional installations may be more expensive at first, but they usually save money over the life of the fence.
Planning a specific job can prevent costly mistakes. A fence that works perfectly in one situation can be completely wrong in another. Taking the time to understand what the fence really needs to do will help you choose the right approach from the start.
The best barriers combine excellent materials, proper installation and realistic maintenance plans. When all these pieces come together, the result is fencing that provides reliable service for decades. That’s the kind of barrier that actually works.
Source: Lizbreygel: Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle – www.lizbreygel.com
