While how the boards are attached to the fence rail offers a distinctive look, there are a variety of ways the boards are cut at the top to provide a unique.

The most basic way to cut the top of a fence board is to actually not cut it at all, leaving it flat. Another style is to cut the corner off the top edges of the board, leaving a flat section in the middle. This is known as a Dog Ear style. These two styles are typically found in more rural or rustic settings.

The more styled cuts involve creating a point at the top of the board. This variety of boards are known as Gothic or French Gothic fences, with the most widely known type including taking a small, circular chunk taken out from either side just below the point.

A Colonial topped board simply comes to a point without cutting out chunks beneath it. A Spanish topped post also reaches a point, but comes with quick in cuts before sloping up toward a point.

Another cut is a Wedgewood topped fence. This cut has the vertical board cut at a 45-degree angle from one top corner down to the opposite edge. The boards are then alternated to have two points buttressing one another, so the combined boards appear to create a single point between them.

In addition to uniquely cut tops to privacy fence boards, post caps are also a popular way to provide a unique look to a fence.

The caps can be wood, vinyl or copper. Popular styles include Federal, Island, Harbor or Backstreet shapes.

There are several commons tops to the boards. A shallow, downward half circle cut between posts is known as “scalloped” or “concave” spaced board fence.

A upward half circle is known as a “convex” spaced board fence. Other styles are defined by the cut at the top of the board.

There are also fence tops that are common. The styled tops make the fence taller and distinctive. Lattice tops are common — as is in the header of this web page — but there is also ivy patterned tops

To learn more about your fencing options call Midwest Fence today at 651-451-2222.

Another style of wood fence is a board-on-board fence, in which fence boards are attached in an overlapping manner on the same side of the rail. This overlapping design means there is no space between the boards and ensures privacy from the fence.

The board-on-board style can also occur on alternating sides of the rail, which still provide some space for a breeze to pass through while providing strong privacy.

This style of fence is referred to as a “neighborly” fence because both sides of the fence look the same, ensuring your neighbors sees the same fence type as you do.

Nailing boards on opposite sides of the rails is “board on board,” overlapping the boards on the same side of the fence is called “board and batten.”

This type of fence provides a unique look, particularly when the rails are on the top and bottom of the boards.

Tongue-And-Groove Wood Privacy Fence
A tongue-and-groove wood privacy fence is similar to a vertical board fence in which the boards are placed next to one another.

In the case of a tongue-and-groove fence, the edge of the boards are cut to fit into one another, which allows not just blocking a view into a backyard, but also for strength in a privacy fence.

Rail And Split Rail Wood Fences
While the previous fences in this post offer privacy or semi-privacy in a fence, a split rail fence is mainly for decoration and as a property line market.

A split rail fence use rough cut boards that fit into holes put into the posts. They are typically two boards to the fence, which provide a rural, western look-and-feel to a yard. The fence also marks the edge of a property.

A rail fence attaches the rails to the posts in the traditional manner, but no vertical boards are put in place.

To learn more about your fencing options call Midwest Fence today at 651-451-2222.

In our next post we will look at other ways a privacy fence can be given a unique look.

This style allows a breeze to flow through while also offering semi-privacy.

These styles of wood fences are usually four- or six-feet tall, depending on the purpose of the fence. Four-foot fences help enclose yards and keep pets and children from wandering off, but offer little privacy or security as they can be easily seen and climbed over.

Six-foot fences typically offer privacy and more security.

Wood Picket Fences
The most well-known type of spaced board fence is a wood picket fence. This style of fence dates back to colonial times. In addition to being spaced with boards all on one side of the fence, these fences are known for being painted white and for being tapered cut to a point at the top.

Picket fences are also generally four feet high, designed mainly for decoration and to keep pets and children contained.

Another type of wood fence is a simple vertical board fence. With this fence, the vertical boards are simply nailed next to one another providing certain privacy fence and can be altered with a shaped top to the boards.

Basket & Louvered Wood Privacy Fence
This type of privacy fence doesn’t utilize vertical board, instead long, eight- or 10-foot boards are secured on one side of a post, bent around the next post and attached back on the other side of the post.

The long boards appear to be woven around a fence post, similar to a basket woven with thick straw.

To learn more about your fencing options call Midwest Fence today at 651-451-2222.

In our next post we take a look at more styles of wood privacy fences.

While both protect the fence from the elements, the wood used in fences (privacy and picket) is also treated to protect it from the elements and extend the life of a wood fence.

This is typically done by pressure treating the lumber, that is using pressure to inject chemical preservatives into the wood.

The chemicals protect against termites and other insects that can weaken the wood as well as from fungus that can cause decay or rot.

That is why pressure-treated lumber if popular for wood fencing, which is exposed to the elements and insects.

After using pressure-treated lumber for most of its 60 years installing fences in the Twin Cities, Midwest Fence developed an innovative pressure treatment used on Western Red Cedar.

The DuraCedar™ system uses pressure treatment with Durazyme™, a clear, rot resistant and eco-friendly treatment applied to Canadian old-growth heartwood red cedar.

The outcome is a cedar wood that accept stain readily and doesn’t suffer the typical problems associated with pressure-treated lumber, such as warping, twisting, checking and discoloration.

Vinyl coated chain link fencing is exactly as it sounds, a chain link fence that is sealed with vinyl. The vinyl coating is usually applied to a galvanized chain link, adding another barrier to the elements which extends the life of a chain link fence even longer.

There is a difference in how the vinyl is put over the chain link. An “extruded” vinyl covering doesn’t provide as strong an adherence to the chain link as an “extruded and bonded” covering.

An extruded vinyl, once cut, can be peeled off the galvanized steel wire while an extruded and bonded vinyl can’t. The latter needs to be sliced off, kind of like peeling an apple.

While the coating extends the life of a galvanized fence, the main reason homeowners choose a vinyl coated chain link fence is for its appearance.

The vinyl comes in several colors, most popular being black chain link and green chain link. Both provide chain link a distinct look and help it blend in with the natural environment. The vinyl coating includes the posts, caps and rails used in installing a chain link fence.

In this post we will take a look at why.

Virtually all chain link fencing is what’s known as ‘galvanized’ chain link, that is that the steel fencing undergoes a chemical bonding process with zinc that protects it from rusting while adding a durable, scratch-resistant layer to the steel.

Without galvanization, the steel wire in the chain link fence would be fully exposed to moisture and oxygen, creating rust that would corrode the fence. With it, the chain link fence resists rust, extending the life of the fence.

Most often the steel fence wire is galvanized before it is woven together into the familiar chain link fence pattern. The most common method of galvanizing is called “hot-dipped galvanization.” This process submerges the steel wire in melted zinc which creates a chemical reaction that permanently bonds the two metals together.

This process doesn’t coat the steel wire with zinc as a paint primer coats a wall. Instead it melds them, with the outermost layer being zinc and internal layers a combination of zinc and steel until reaching the all-steel center of the wire.

While the hot-dipped method is the most popular way to galvanize the wire, there are others. One is running a steel wire through molten zinc. This creates thinner layers of zinc and zinc/steel combination than when hot-dipping is used.

Zinc can also be sprayed or painted on to steel wire, but this creates a weaker bond than hot-dipping. Electroplating is also use, but, again, created a thinner layer than does hot-dipping.

In addition to providing the tightest, thickest bond, hot-dipping is also preferred for chain link fencing because it can be bent more than the other processes without flaking or chipping.

While galvanized wire is the most popular way to extend the life of chain link fencing, it is not the only way. In our next post we will discuss vinyl-coated chain link fencing.

In our next post, we will look at vinyl coated chain link fencing.

Two popular fence types are chain link and wood fences, either wood picket and wood privacy fence.

Fences are considered for several reasons, including containment of children or pets, security or decoration.

All three fence types — chain link, wood picket and wood privacy — effectively contain pets and children.

While all three also provide security, chain link fences come in four and six foot heights and a four-foot chain link fence, more popular for residential use, is easier to climb over than a six-foot chain link fence.

Wood fences can be built to any height, but are typically six feet tall without a topping of any kind. Without a natural foothold, wood fences are more difficult to climb than chain link.

For privacy, wood privacy fences provide just what their name states: privacy. Boards are installed side-by-side with no space between them ensuring prying eyes can’t see through it.

Wood picket fences, meanwhile, provide little privacy, instead allowing passers by to see through it, which may be just what avid gardeners and landscape enthusiasts seek.

Chain link fences don’t provide privacy unless plastic slats are installed, and six-foot chain link fences offer more privacy than four-foot ones.

As for decoration, wood fences come in many styles and shapes and can be painted or stained to offer a variety of decorative choices.

Chain link fencing can come in vinyl-covered in black or green or also be a California-style chain link that uses wood posts and caps to offer a distinctive look.

Other factors you’re likely considering:

• Price Different materials and their quality affect the cost of a fence. More boards on a wood fence, thicker chain link and capping fence posts can factor into the price. That said, in general chain link fencing is less expensive than a wood fence of comparable size.
• Durability Most chain link fencing is galvanized to offer longer wear against the elements. Wood fence durability is affected by the type of wood used. Midwest Fence uses Western Red Cedar wood treated with Durazyme™ to create rot-resistant wood that won’t suffer problems typical to pressure-treated lumber such as warping, twisting and discoloration. That said, chain link is generally expected to have a longer lifespan than wood.
• Maintenance Chain link typically requires little or no maintenance. Wood fencing may need repainting or another coat of stain as it ages, and treated lumber is far less likely to rot. Chain link fences generally require less maintenance than wood fences.

Ornamental Iron Fences Ornamental iron fences combine several favorable fence features, including appearance, security, durability and low maintenance.

The traditional look of an iron fence — the thin, tall bars and multiple rails holding them together — provide the traditional decorative look that can be highlighted with ornate accents.

Those accents can also provide security. The ornamental iron fence bars can be topped with spears or other sharp-edged decorations that make them dangerous to try and climb over. The thin bars and smooth finish also make this fence hard to climb.

While chain link fence can be cut or rolled up, ornamental iron can’t. The space between bars is also thin enough that passing through them is impossible.

The thick, aluminum bars and rails are also impervious to the elements and require little or no maintenance. They can come in a variety of colors and decorative additions can be unique.

While ornamental iron fences are among the oldest type of fences, the newest fence material is a mixture of wood pulp and plastic resins known as composite fencing. Among the best known composite fence lines is Trex.

Composite fences are made using a combination of wood pulp and plastic resins which are blended into a single material. This engineered wood has been used for a decade or more to build decking and other outdoor structures.

Trex composite fencing is stronger than wood or PVC fencing. The rails have an aluminum core which protects against warping or twisting, and the panels snap together to keep each rigid.

Composite wood fences are resistant to insects, rot and decay and require little maintenance other than an occasional washing to avoid mildew.

Composite fencing comes in several colors and is made with a simulated wood grain.

If you have questions about these, or any fence type, don’t hesitate to contact a professional at Midwest Fence for a free consultation. Call 651-451-2222.

Both fence types are popular, but for different reasons.

First, Wood Privacy Fencing. This classic American fence type is popular and effective because it offers security and privacy in a wide range of design styles that fit many tastes.

While fulfilling those needs out of a fence, wood privacy fencing does require ongoing maintenance to keep its original look and may require some repair as it ages. That wear due to the elements does mean some wood fences may end up being less durable than other fence types.

That can be offset by using specially treated wood such as Duracedar by Midwest Fence, which is pressure-treated to resist rotting.

Compared to chain link fencing, wood fencing is typically more expensive per square foot while the cost of materials for a wood fence remains generally lower than other types of non-chain link fencing.

Some factor in ongoing costs of maintenance, repairs and a possibly shorter lifespan to add to the cost of a wood privacy fence.

The actual install cost depends on how much wood is required for the fence, a product of fence height and style.

For instance, there are wood privacy fences with alternating board to provide a breeze, tongue-and-groove, with connected board and basket or louvered wood privacy fences that use longer boards than a typical fence.

Other fences have decorative capped posts or a curve-cut tops.

That variety of style options is why wood fences are so popular. The variety of styles, accoutrements and stain and paint possibilities has wooden privacy fences meeting nearly any taste.

Next, PVC Vinyl Fencing. Vinyl fencing hit the market in the early 1980s, mainly as a competitor to wood fencing. Vinyl fences come with a lifetime guarantee and require basically no maintenance. They can be cleaned with a simple washing.

Vinyl also means the fence resists the elements and won’t rot or warp.

The type of fences available in vinyl have broadened beyond basic privacy panels to include various picket and rail fences. There is also simulated wood grain available.

While the styles have increased, the prefabricated nature of the fence does mean there are fewer style choices than wood, which can be constructed on site. Also, the fence comes in several predetermined colors.

Painting vinyl fencing isn’t recommended and may void a warranty or possibly damage the vinyl. Check with the manufacturer or your fence installer for warranty details. Painting a PVC fence also means more maintenance will be required.

The lifetime warranty offered by most vinyl fence, and the lack of maintenance, means once the fence is installed there is little or no cost to maintaining it. Most quality PVC fences will also outlast a wood fence. Those factors can offset the higher upfront cost of a PVC fence than wood.

If you have questions about these, or any fence type, don’t hesitate to contact a professional at Midwest Fence for a free consultation. Call 651-451-2222.

In our next post we will take a look at Trex composite and ornamental iron fencing.

Chain link fencing. This is perhaps the best known and most popular fence type, mainly because of its affordability and ease of installation. The galvanized steel used in today’s chain link fencing makes it extremely durable.

When installed correctly, chain link requires no ongoing maintenance to keep looking new. There are options available to meet differing tastes and to offer privacy.

Chain link can come with a green vinyl or black vinyl coating to meet design tastes. There is also California style chain link fencing which replaces steel fence posts and rails with wood, providing a unique, natural look.

While chain link is transparent, privacy slats can be added to offer some privacy to casual observers.

Chain link fencing, as a general rule, is more affordable than alternative types of fences, but the price ranges depending on what type of chain link you buy and where you add other elements to the fence.

Wood Picket Fences. This type of wood fence has been an American icon that harks to Tom Sawyer’s shenanigans related to whitewashing a picket fence for his Aunt Polly.

Wood picket fences are popular because they can contain a yard or space, keeping children or pets from wandering off, while offering a variety of design choices to fit most tastes.

What they don’t offer is privacy and, with most cases, security. The space between boards causes the lack of privacy and that most picket fences are four feet tall or shorter limits their security.

While lacking those features, wooden picket fences make up for it by offering a wide variety of styles and looks, from traditional Colonial Wood picket fences and French Gothic wood picket fences to Wedgewood and Capped Rail picket fences.

Compared to chain link, wood fences generally cost a bit more, especially depending on the height and style of wood picket fence chosen.

Also, wood fences require more maintenance than chain link, typically requiring restaining or repainting (remember Tom?) after being aged by the elements. That wear also means that a wood fence may not end up as durable or long-lasting as a chain link fence.

If you have questions about these, or any fence type, don’t hesitate to contact a professional at Midwest Fence for a free consultation. Call 651-451-2222.

In our next post we will look at wood privacy and PVC, or vinyl, fencing.