Considerations for Fences

The biggest factor in choosing fencing materials is what do you want the fence to do? Is it decorative? Are you seeking to keep animals in - or out? Sometimes it might be both! Costs and maintenance are other factors to consider in choosing a fence. Additionally the gate materials should be the same or stronger material.

There are several types of fence materials available. Wood fences have a traditional look. They may be a privacy fence or board fence, and are easily cared for with painting or staining to preserve the life of the fence. They are relatively easy for the novice to care for - but privacy fences can be expensive and board fences may not keep animals in or out, depending on the type of fencing.

Chain link is expensive when the top rails, posts and such are figured in but once installed are relatively low maintenance. They tend to be able to keep in not only small livestock but pets.

Many who like the look of board fences go to a vinyl covered board, similar in appearance but easier to maintain. The painting effort is removed but an occasional pressure wash keeps mold and other debris from wearing on the fence. Cost is higher than board fencing.

Woven wire fences are suitable often in combination with boards. Typically wood and steel posts are used and sometimes a board on the top is used. Woven wire is better at keeping sheep or goats in and keeping dogs out of the herd. For long term investment pastures fenced with woven wire are preferred by many because whether it's horses or sheep or goats it'll generally keep them in safely.

Electrified hot wire is another means, effective enough that once trained a herd of dairy cattle can be kept in a field with a single strand - until the power goes off! Electrical outages can mean loose livestock. The cost is considerably less than other types but unless you use a more permanent high tensile fence it isn't likely to keep dogs in or out.

Barbed wire may have won the west but today's horse owners have nightmares about a horse getting caught in it. It persists in popularity as three or five strands can cover large areas fairly inexpensively and, if properly strung tight, it's an effective barrier for cattle and other large animals. It does let small animals navigate to escape however.

A fenced area is of little use if animals get out the gate, so pay attention to gates as well. A solid gate is needed as animals quickly learn you come and go through the gate as well as sometimes food. The gate may then take a bit more abuse than the fences with bumping, biting and pawing.

Use good solid hinges. A tip in hanging your gates - typically the gate hangers screw into a wooden post and the gate hangs on it - easily lifting off. Easy for you is easy for smart animals! Take a little more time and carefully turn the hangers towards each other. This way the bottom one slides on as normal but the top one, pointed down, holds the gate in place so it can't be lifted off the hinges.

These are just a few options available for homeowners or those seeking to keep animals in a small farm situation. Take a look at what your options are for the species you're fencing, the costs and abilities you have, the space you need to fence and the maintenance.

Choosing fencing materials need not be difficult. Attention to detail and occasional maintenance keeps fences a long term investment.