Good fence design is a combination of utility and style. When choosing a fence for your property, it is important to consider the function it will serve as well as what type of fence will look best with your existing home or property style. A bit of planning and consideration before you build will ensure that you choose the best possible fence for your needs.

Different Types of Fence Design
If you want a fence that is first and foremost durable and low maintenance, you might want to consider vinyl fencing or pipe fencing. Although they might not be the most attractive forms of fencing, these styles are weather, rust and pest resistant, require virtually no maintenance, and are quick and easy to erect. Although these fences are more expensive at the outset, they will likely end up saving you money in the long run.

If style is the most important element of fence design for you, and you are willing to sacrifice an amount of function and durability, you might want to consider a board fence. Board fences are made of wood that can be painted, stained, or allowed to weather naturally. The components of these fences come in a variety of different shapes and styles, allowing you to mix and match design elements to create unique fencing that is coherent with the spirit of your home and property.

Privacy is a much sought after element of fence design. Privacy fences tend to be very tall with no gaps in between boards and smooth on the outside to discourage scaling. These fences are often used around pools or by people considering the safety of their pets or small children.

The white picket fence has become an integral part of the picture-perfect American dream. After all, isnt everyone supposed to live happily ever after in the home of their dreams, ensconced inside a white picket fence? The reality, of course, can be quite different–even when it comes to that white picket fence–especially if that white picket fence is made out of wood.

For years and years, wooden fences have been the popular choice in America. Yet little was said about their upkeep. After all, wood is a natural material, subject to the forces of nature. There are many ways for wood to deteriorate–it can dry out, warp, or become infested by termites. The paint can chip or become discolored over time. Fortunately, American ingenuity has come to the rescue, in the form of vinyl fencing.

Double Layered, Double Durability
Vinyl fencing is a little over 20 years old and its quality has continuously improved over time. The fencing is now made of virgin polyvinyl chloride (better known as PVC) and other essential ingredients. The best vinyl fencing comes in two co-extruded layers; the outer layer contains UV inhibitors and impact modifiers to improve its durability in terms of dealing with weather changes. The inner layer provides the strength and flexibility to withstand strong winds.

There are many advantages to vinyl fencing. The vinyl itself can be made several times stronger in terms or tensile strength, and it can be far more flexible than wood. Several fence designs can provide unparalleled sturdiness, especially with the use of steel inserts, cross-braces and reinforced inserts. These PVC fences are held together by stainless steel fasteners.

Whats more, the UV inhibitors in vinyl fencing basically acts like a sunscreen, protecting it from sun damage. Thus, the color of the fence never fades. Of course, being made of plastic, its inherently waterproof. Not only is a vinyl fence completely unaffected by heat, extreme cold cant damage it either.

You dont have to be a brain surgeon or a Nobel Prize-winning scientist to easily see other advantages. If you have small children, you wont have to worry about them picking up and eating a paint chip that peeled off a wooden fence. Nor will they ever get splinters from a vinyl fence.

Cost vs. Maintenance
It is true that a vinyl fence can cost a lot more than a wooden fence, but even that supposed disadvantage is misleading. Remember, vinyl fencing needs absolutely no maintenance. A wood fence, on the other hand, basically has to be painted every two to three years. That can cost up to as 70 cents per foot of fence per year. In that light, vinyl fencing turns into an even better deal before your newborns get to grade school.

No wooden fence comes with a lifetime guarantee, but youll find vinyl fence suppliers offering that kind of assurance. Whats more, vinyl fence manufacturers are still improving their product, adding new styles and contours that will make it impossible to tell the difference between it and wood. In the end, a growing number of satisfied customers wont be singing Dont Fence Me In anytime soon.

When vinyl first became a positive force in outdoor living products in the mid-1980s, it was basically used for decorative applications such as front porch railings. As the material was improved through various manufacturing experimentation and product testing, vinyl railing was reinforced and strengthened. Now its strong enough to be used wherever traditional wood and/or metal railings are used, such as front porches, high-rise apartment balconies and stadium guardrails.

One improvement that strengthened vinyl railings comes from inserting non-corrosive aluminum in both the top and bottom rail. Another is the addition of UV additives that prevent the suns rays from blistering, cracking or discoloring the vinyl. That makes vinyl railing not only incredibly durable, but virtually maintenance-free.

Maintenance Can Be Free
Comparing the degree of maintenance between vinyl railing and its wood counterpart is no contest. All vinyl railings need is an annual wash; if it has been subjected to a lot of damp weather, an additional wash with a mild detergent may be needed to prevent mildew and mold. Wood, on the other hand, will have to be sanded, painted, caulked, scraped and replaced if it deteriorates over time. Simply put, vinyl systems do not deteriorate.

Its true that, price-wise, the initial outlay for vinyl railing can be twice as much as a wood railing. However, when you factor is maintenance costs, a wood railing will cost as much, if not more, as vinyl railing in as little as five years. In that light, its not surprising to find more and more people opting for the convenience and durability of vinyl railing.

For millions of Americans who are fortunate to own or at least live in a home, part of the pleasure of that lifestyle is the luxury of privacy. No longer will they be forced to hear the disputes or indelicate conversations of people in the apartment next door or adjoining floor. Many of these home dwellers enhance their privacy by investing in privacy fences.

For years, almost all of the privacy fences surrounding the backyards of American homes were made of wood. No longer. Thanks to advancing technology, more and more people are taking advantage of vinyl privacy fences. Not only are these fences attractive looking, but they can be even more durable than wood fences–and theyre virtually maintenance-free.

A Fence with Sunscreen
Like all vinyl fences, these privacy fences are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and vinyl. Look for companies that offer UV inhibitors so that your fences color will stay rich and true over time. Fences that are too rigid will crack, but usually UV additives can be added in a way that leaves room for some pliability. Because of the excellent function of these UV additives, many of these vinyl privacy fences come with lifetime warranties, something that is never offered for a wood fence of any kind.

Privacy fences are not only used at residences. Many light commercial buildings use them as well. They can come with a variety of styles, such as ornate post caps and rail configurations. And while they may cost more than their wood counterparts, the fact that theyre maintenance-free can actually save you money in the long run.

Installing a vinyl fence is no harder–and in some ways, considerably easier–than putting up a wood fence. You dont need to be particularly strong or possess craftsman skills to create your own little fenced-in wonderland. Whats more, it usually takes less time to finish the fencing project when using vinyl.

When you purchase vinyl fencing, youll immediately notice that most sections are unassembled. Dont be intimidated by that fact, because assembly can be quite easy. The reason some of the fence styles cant be assembled ahead of time is that certain sections have to be held together after the rails are slid into the posts. Even so, it should only take a few minutes to assemble the fence.

Do It Yourself and Save
If you can put build a wooden fence, you can put up a vinyl fence all by yourself–and save thousands of dollars in the process. The sections are surprisingly light-weight and fairly easy to handle. In fact, most people think the hardest part about installing a vinyl fence is digging post holes in the dirt and mixing the concrete.

Outside of tools to mix the concrete and dig the holes, all youll need are a level and string and the ability to discern what would look good. Once you figure out where you want the fence to go, dig the first two holes, assemble a section of a fence and stick them in the holes. After that, simply add a new section of the fence one hole at a time until youre finished. Once youve finished it, step back and look at the fence at a distance. If youre happy with its height and location, then you pour the concrete into the holes around the posts. If youre not happy with them, just raise or lower sections and level posts to meet your needs.