Wooden fences are relatively affordable, environmentally friendly, and highly customizable. In addition, when you choose a durable wood species and care for your fence properly, the wooden fence can stay in good shape for decades.

However, many homeowners who plan to install wooden fences around their yard do not realize just how many fence options they have; these fences can be made from many types of wood and are available in many styles.

Read on to learn about just a few of the options you have when designing your wooden fence and the advantages of each option.

The Wood Species

The wood species you choose affects the appearance, durability, and longevity of your fence. Two popular wood species used in fence design are Western red cedar and pine.

Western Red Cedar

Western red cedar is a naturally strong, durable, and rot- and warp-resistant wood type. When cared for properly, a cedar fence can stay in great shape for up to 25 years or even longer. This wood species is also considered a sustainable resource, which makes it an environmentally friendly fence option.

Western red cedar fences require very little maintenance, and an annual cleaning with simple soap and water is typically enough to keep a cedar fence in great condition.

Pine

Pine is an economical wood species. Since natural pinewood is less durable than Western red cedar, this wood is typically pressure-treated with chemical preservatives before installation to prevent wood rot. However, this wood species has superior soil resistance, which means it is less likely to break down over time when in direct contact with soil.

Pine fences require a periodic application of a special wood sealant to protect them from the outdoor elements. With proper maintenance, a pressure-treated pine fence can last up to 15 years or longer.

The Wood Grade

While hardwoods are graded by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA), softwoods are graded according to guidelines set by the American Softwood Lumber Standard PS 20-70. Wood is graded based on strength, appearance, and the presence of defects.

Hardwood grades range from First and Seconds (FAS), which is a rating given to wood cuts with very few defects, to No. 3B Common, which designates wood cuts with many defects.

Softwoods are first split into two categories before being graded: common lumber and appearance lumber. Common lumber can be strong, yet it typically contains large knots and other defects that lead to an unsightly appearance. Common lumber grades range from No. 1, which designates high-quality wood, to No. 5, which designates wood considered lower in quality.

Appearance lumber is strong and free from defects that can make the wood appear unsightly. Appearance lumber grades range from A to D, with the A rating given to only the most attractive, defect-free wood cuts and the D rating given to wood that contains numerous small knots and defects.

You can build a wooden fence out of woods of various grades. But you should speak to your fence design expert to determine the wood grade that is best for your fence project.

The Fence Style

Wooden privacy fences are popular options for homeowners who want to increase the privacy of their outdoor living spaces. However, if you would like maximum privacy while preserving air and natural light flow through your fence, then consider a shadowbox fence, which is also called a board-on-board fence. This privacy fence has overlapping pickets instead of pickets that lie side-by-side.

A classic picket fence is a great option if you do not want to block your view out of your yard, yet want a fence that keeps pets and children safe.

If you would like a more modern-appearing wooden fence, consider one with horizontal planks instead of vertical ones or a lattice fence.

If you plan to surround your yard in a wooden fence, then now you understand a few of your design options and the advantages of each. Contact the fence experts at Gulf Coast Fence Co. to begin designing your new custom wooden fence today.