Fences serve a variety of purposes. They can be latticed as a simple boundary between areas or as a support for roses or other plants, or they can be closed to protect one from the elements or to act as a barrier for privacy. Fences can also come in a variety of materials depending on their use. The majority of fences are built from planks of wood, and are probably the most attractive and natural looking. Other fences may come in materials made from cement or corrugated sheet-metal, and these more effectively withstand the elements. These are usually erected in a lattice or zigzag pattern to better withstand the force of the wind.
The most prevalent ailment facing fences is rot at their base, as the base is most susceptible to both wet conditions, from pooling water, and dry conditions. Good forms of wood for withstanding rot include California redwood, southern cypress, white and red cedar, locust and chestnut wood. Additional steps can be taken to preserve wood from rot by coating or painting them with preservatives. These must penetrate the wood to be effective, and may require different products depending on the brand of wood used. A good preservative applied two to three times to any strip of unpainted, clean and dry wood should do an admirable job in protecting it.
Besides the base, another area susceptible to rot is any point at which two pieces are nailed together. Coating these areas before erecting the fence will prove more effective than simply coating the length of the fence afterwards.
Your fence posts will need to be set up deep into the earth, the depth of which will differ depending on the fence height and weight of the boards. Heavy posts should be set in concrete.
The most popular fences in common use are the white picket fence, the post-and-rail fence and the hurdle fence. With an increasing eye towards privacy, styles like the louvered and lattice fences are also gaining in use.
Post-and-rail fences are constructed from posts placed at 10 foot intervals, with 11 foot long tapered rails inserted into the posts. Hurdle fences have a braced frame with split rails along its length, with the end pieces from each panel making up the posts.
Picket fences, most commonly painted white, have posts spaced anywhere from 8 to 12 feet apart, with 3x4 inch rails and pickets two to three inches wide. The pickets should be raised at least two feet off the ground and extend beyond the top of the highest rail. This makes a nice backdrop for bromeliads.
Board fences are ideal for privacy purposes, and can be slanted in a louver effect for even greater results in this regard. Board fences can be styled any number of ways, with alternating broad and thin boards, boards applied vertically, or even a staggering of the boards on the sides of the rail.
Basket weave fences are made from thin, pliable boards, and also provide a good screen for privacy or a perfect background for planting.
