Figuring Out a Fence
Many people start with security when thinking about what type of fence they want to install. In today’s market, you don’t have to sacrifice look and style for a fence when looking for security. You can find a good match for both.
You will want to choose the style before you choose the material because not all styles come in all materials. If you choose the material first, you may be limited to the type of fence you can choose. Decide which is more important to you before you start your search.
The fun part is looking at all the choices of wood fences, aluminum, vinyl and wrought iron and learning about the upkeep and maintenance of each. Sometimes you can just purchase the right kind of fence and have little or no maintenance. Other times you want a certain kind of fence that requires a sealant or some other type of treatment to protect it from the elements.
Though there are some people that don’t like the way it looks, vinyl is the most maintenance free choice you can make. Wrought iron doesn’t need a lot of care but you do need to look for and treat for rust if it develops.
One of the most fun things to choose for your fence will be the finishing pieces known as post caps and finials. The post caps come in an array of choices that include Red Western Cedar, Redwood and copper topped caps and is one of the reasons so many choose wood fencing. Finials can be added as well for the final touch. Iron and aluminum fences come with pre-set finials and you can sometimes choose the cap for your vinyl fence.
Post caps are more than decorative. They have the very important function of protecting the top of the post from cracking and splitting as well as water pooling on the wood. Many people forget this and end up having to replace the posts on down the line. You can also add finials to further enhance your outdoor decor for your perfect look.