Most homeowners install various types of fences to stop strangers or animals from barging into their properties. These fences may vary in size, material, shape, and color, but wood fencing is the most common and popular option.
Wood fences are widely used for their affordability and natural beauty. Not only is it easy to find wood fencing that’s right in color, size, and height for your property, but it’s also easy to install. However, while it remains a popular option, it isn’t for everyone. Before you decide to consider it for your home, learn here to understand the pros and cons of wood fencing.
Pros Of Wood Fencing
There are many advantages of choosing wood fencing over other types of fences. These include the following:
- Affordability
The cost of wood fences may differ significantly depending on the kind of wood you consider. But unlike other fencing types such as vinyl, the average price of wood fencing is more affordable.
You’ll know why it isn’t expensive if you compare the cost of growing trees to manufacturing other materials. So, if you’re on a tight budget and looking for an affordable fence for your property, you can never go wrong with wood fencing.
- Aesthetics
Another advantage of choosing wood fencing is its aesthetic appeal. The natural and classic look of wood fences is something that never goes out of style, especially if you know how to care for it. For some homeowners, the more rustic the fences are, the cozier the atmosphere around their property.
There are also other ways to make wooden fences unique. For example, you can stain the wood to make it look natural or add knots or grains to its texture. Wood fences also come in other styles such as board-on-board, shadowbox, or trellis, which can add personality to your house.
- Versatility
Wood fencing is highly versatile. It can be manufactured in various shapes, decorated with beautiful ornaments, and painted in different colors. In addition, wood can match your home décor, regardless of its theme. In short, wood fencing is entirely customizable.
- Eco-Friendly
Although producing wood fences involves cutting down trees, it’s still eco-friendly because it doesn’t have the same amount of carbon emission as aluminum, vinyl, or steel. Wood is also organic and biodegradable.
- Privacy
With wood fencing, you can add full or partial privacy to your property in style. If you prefer to block out the noise, you can choose full privacy by using solid wood like red cedar, a highly stable wood durable enough to withstand harsh weather elements. Generally, the privacy feature of wood fencing may depend on several factors, including your preferred fence style and the kind of wood to use.
These are just some of the many benefits of installing wood fences on your property. Regardless of the wood material you choose, you can guarantee that you’ll enjoy the above perks.
Cons Of Wood Fencing
While wood fencing has several benefits, it also has drawbacks that you should be aware of. If you want to make a well-informed decision, keep the following cons in mind:
- Maintenance
All types of fences require proper care and maintenance. However, you must exert effort with wood fencing to ensure it’s in great condition. For those who’ve painted wood fences, you should repaint them regularly.
Stained wood fences must also be re-stained yearly. It doesn’t only require extra effort, but you also need to spend more money on your wood fencing’s upkeep. Your time and money are worth it because beautifully-maintained wood fencing can add value to your property by boosting its aesthetic appeal.
- Lifespan
Unlike vinyl, steel, and aluminum, wood fencing has a relatively short lifespan. This is especially true if you can’t maintain it properly. Once a wood fence isn’t maintained well, it may quickly deteriorate, causing it to rot or warp. Although you can install better-quality wood materials, they may still need a little upkeep to last longer.
- Damage
While wood fences are strong, it doesn’t mean they’re invulnerable to damage. Fortunately, when wood fencing is damaged, repairing it is easy. You often need to replace some wooden boards instead of replacing the whole fence.
If the cause of damage is still threatening your wood fencing, you must address it immediately before making necessary repairs. For instance, if the termites eat away at your fence, you should deal with the termite problem before replacing your wood fences to avoid recurring problems.
- Installation
Installing wood fences is easy. But when installed improperly, the fences could tilt toward the ground, and some posts may sag quickly. To avoid this, hire a fencing contractor and let professionals do the job for you to ensure proper installation.
The disadvantages of wood fences may vary widely as it depends on the type of wood material you use and how you install it. To avoid inconvenience, working with fence experts is recommended.
Final Thoughts
While the pros of wood fencing may tempt you to install it over other fencing types, you should understand and assess its downsides. This way, you’ll have your heart set and won’t regret your decisions later. Once you decide to go with wood fencing, hiring professional fence installers is wise to get the best results without wasting money and time.
