Fences of all kinds have been used for millennia, since their inception in ancient Greece for a multitude of purposes, including security and agriculture. They have also been used for delineating property boundaries and for decoration. They can be built piece by piece by homeowners or purchased pre-constructed and then installed. You can also buy them from and have them installed by a professional fence company Austin like Northwest Fence & Iron. Fences come in many sizes, shapes, colors, designs and materials; there are fences for every purpose and every home, farm, business and ranch. Here are four kinds of fences popular among homeowners.
1. Wood Fences
Wooden fences are favored by homeowners; in fact, they are the most common type of fence among Americans. You have probably heard of the house with “a little white picket fence” dream. Wooden picket fences are associated in popular American culture with the traditional middle class ideal of a successful work life and perfect family. Besides their image in American culture, wooden fences also come with advantages like cost-effectiveness (dependent on height and size) and long lifespans if built of decent quality wood and properly maintained. They also provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
2. Wrought Iron Fences
Wrought iron fences are often seen around fancier, more upscale homes. Strength, beauty, elegance and the ability to create custom designs at the top make them popular among wealthier homeowners. They are considerably more expensive than wooden fences. They also require a great deal of maintenance and are not to the tastes of some more conservative homeowners.
3. Aluminum Fences
Aluminum fences are basic and not the best security-wise. However, they are almost completely maintenance free, not overly ostentatious and can be decorated to match any home exterior. They can even be painted to resemble other kinds of fences. They also possess a minimalistic, clean look that appeals to many.
4. Bamboo Fences
Bamboo fences are a newer concept that is seeing increasing popularity in the fence market. They have a gorgeous natural look and can be grown naturally. They are also good for those who are environmentally conscientious as they are friendly to the environment, though they may not be best for colder areas. The three subtypes of bamboo fences are rolled bamboo, live bamboo and bamboo cane.
These are only four out of the many fence types available to homeowners. Fences for other purposes also vary greatly. It is important to carefully consider each type when choosing a fence as each has its own pros and cons.