Kim Kinrade © 2008
BobVila.com
The ornamental garden fences began as both defensive barriers against wild animals and pens to keep livestock from straying away. Many of the styles, like the pointed tops of picket fences and the thin balusters of aluminum fences, are modern day renditions of necessary fence accessories.
The metal fence was the standard boundary of the last millennium. If you see pictures of old England, or even Philadelphia, old wrought iron fences abound. Iron was strong and, if coated with oil or blackened regularly it would last centuries. Wrought iron fences went out of vogue because of the maintenance needed but the fence has made a comeback as a lighter, more durable substance: steel. Most brands of steel fence are now coated with vinyl which makes the fencing virtually maintenance-free.
Aluminum is the other metal fence that is becoming very popular. Like steel it has a corrosion-proof surface only this is called powder-coating. The spraying of pigmented powder utilizes filtered, air compressed to 20-30 psi. An electrostatic gun sprays the powder past an electrode which gives it a positive charge. The fence part is grounded so the positive particles attach to it. The fence part is then put into the oven at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for ten minutes where it is baked to form a smooth, hard finish. Aluminum fences are available in hundreds of colors and styles.
Wood fences are the standard of the industry and the new pressure-treated designs make them last longer that their predecessors. Cheap and easy to use wood can be stained, painted or left to go a natural gray. Because it is easy to cut and shape the fence builder can choose from hundreds of designs. Cedar and redwood are also popular for fences and pool fences. Wood fence panels can also come pre-assembled and ready to hang on the posts with galvanized joist hangers.
Made from recycled garbage bags and waste wood fibers, composite products are becoming very popular in the fencing world. Pickets and cross spars can be sawn, screwed and nailed just like real wood and are available in many attractive colors. Because they are sealed with plastic mold and mildew cannot get into the fibers like they can in real wood.
Pure vinyl fences are molded in many styles and use a core of coarse, recycled vinyl with a clean, pigmented coating that resists ultra-violet rays and stays clean. They also can come with a hollow core filled with foam to cut down on noise from the neighbor or from a busy street.
Chain-link fences are the standard for security and a dog or pet fence. The new fences are still very strong but are now coated with colorful vinyl and, for privacy, can include slats which fit diagonally though the links.
