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What Type Of Fencing Material Should I Use?

Installing a fence, no matter how simple or complex its design may be, is no easy feat. Even putting aside deciding on a specific style or design, much less navigating the perplexing process of getting building permits and defining your property line, there's still the question of what material to use. That may seem like a minor concern, but you will (ideally) have this fence for the next few decades, so settling on the right material for your needs is a big decision to make up front.

At R House, we primarily design custom fences from four types of material: aluminum, chainlink, vinyl, and wood. There isn't one material that's inherently better than all the rest; rather, different ones are better suited for different styles and practical needs. Ultimately, the decision comes down to you, but we want to make it easy by laying out the pros and cons of each material:

Aluminum

We won't deny that aluminum has a lot of perks working in its favor. It's one of the most durable residential fencing materials on the market, and because most aluminum fences have little to no iron in them, they're not prone to rust, unlike iron or steel (all while being less expensive than wrought-iron, too). Furthermore, you can create beautiful, ornate fence designs that look high-end and luxurious without a luxury price tag. It's beautiful, it's durable, and while it's a bit more expensive than the other materials we'll be talking about, it isn't exorbitantly so.

So that's settled up front: aluminum is the best fencing material, right? Well, no - at least not for everyone. There are a few drawbacks to consider. For one, most aluminum bar gates aren't designed with privacy in mind, so if you want a privacy fence, you should probably look elsewhere. Furthermore, Pensacola has notoriously hot summers, and aluminum can absorb a lot of that sweltering heat. An aluminum fence won't melt or warp in the heat, but it can become very hot to the touch!

Chainlink

Chainlink fencing isn't glamorous, but what it is is reliable. Chainlink is very affordable, very strong, and very resilient. Because it's flexible, it can often hold up against strong winds better than more rigid materials, helping it withstand hurricane damage. On top of that, they can be coated with vinyl, galvanized steel, and other materials to improve their visual appearance and enhance their durability.

So what are the primary drawbacks? Well, for one, chainlink fences are see-through, so unless you modify yours with fence slats, mesh panels, or another type of liner, you won't get much privacy with them. Also, while chainlink fences are fairly low-maintenance, they still need some preventative maintenance, or they can become prone to rust. Finally, because chainlink fencing is more utilitarian than visually appealing, it won't do much for your property value - though that may or may not be a concern depending on whether you plan on selling the home anytime soon.

Vinyl

Vinyl fencing is a godsend for Pensacola property owners. It's flexible, it's durable, it's easy to customize, they don't need much maintenance beyond an occasional cleaning, and best of all, it's particularly resilient to Florida's unique weather conditions. Moisture doesn't damage it; it isn't harmed by algae or mold growth, it's incredibly UV-resistant, and due to advances in PVC fence engineering, modern vinyl fences have become increasingly more resistant to high winds and impact damage.

There aren't many drawbacks to vinyl fencing, but its artificial appearance is a problem for some. If you like the ornate look of metal fencing or the earthy, natural appearance of wood, then a vinyl fence might not be right for you (although it's worth noting that some vinyl fencing products are getting increasingly better at mimicking the look of wood grain). Additionally, if part of it does become damaged, it can be more expensive to repair than a wood fence of a similar design.

Wood

Wood is a tried and true classic. People love the natural look and warmth of wood, especially when its color and appearance have been enhanced with a protective stain. Wood is reasonably cheap (though the cost can vary depending on what type of wood you use), it's perfect for privacy fencing, you can choose to paint or stain it to achieve a certain appearance, and when well-maintained, it's fairly resilient.

The big drawback with wood fencing, however, is the upkeep. Of all the materials discussed here, wood is the most "needy" in terms of maintenance. It needs to be scrubbed or soft-washed at least once or twice a year, it needs to be restained or repainted once every couple of years to protect it from the elements, and if part of it starts to decay, you need to replace that part ASAP to prevent the rot from spreading. Wood fences are timelessly beautiful, but the tradeoff of having to maintain one isn't worth it for every homeowner.

What Kind of Fencing Should I Go With?

Even after reading all of this, you still might not know which material to choose. We don't blame you - it's a big decision. Fortunately, if you're stuck on what material or design to go with, we can help. We have a team of experts specializing in designing custom fences for our customers, who can work with you to understand your particular wants and needs and help you come up with a unique design that meets all of them.

R House specializes in providing the best integrated home, pest control, and lawn care services in Pensacola. We want to help you build the perfect fence for your home; one that'll keep on delivering for years to come. If you're interested in R House's custom fences and want to discuss a potential project, call us today at 850-982-2472.