What Types of Fences Are There?
- Chain-link fences are widely used as a barrier between students and the street.Punk Girl Behind Chain Link image by Scott Griessel from Fotolia.com
Chain-link fences are among the most common type of fence there is, and for good reason. This fence is versatile and has a simple design. A basic chain-link fence has at least two steel poles that are grounded into cement holds. A steel mesh of cross-stitched wires is attached to the poles, and oftentimes a top bar runs along top of the mesh fence. These fences are used in some yards, most school playgrounds and in many parks. Some people who own chain-link fences attach wooden planks to them to increase privacy. - This is a typical white picket fence.green house with picket fence image by Greg Peterson from Fotolia.com
A picket fence is not a complicated fence. It typically consists of a series of vertical wooden boards spaced between 1 inch and 1 ½ inches apart. Long narrow boards run horizontally along the length of the fence near the top and the bottom to provide additional support. These fences are used primarily for decorative purposes, while serving a secondary purpose as a boundary to keep domesticated animals on the property. - Wrought iron fences often have intricate designs.wrought iron fence of spades image by Stephen Orsillo from Fotolia.com
Wrought iron fences are seen more in the inner cities and serve more for decoration than they for protection or privacy. As the name suggests, these fences are often made of wrought iron, although aluminum is becoming a popular alternative due to the cheaper costs. Due to the heavier nature of the metals involved, the majority of wrought iron fences are grounded using concrete. - Ranch fences like this keep cattle and other larger livestock from running wild.stormy morning on the ranch image by Jake Hellbach from Fotolia.com
Ranch fences are primarily used for decoration in suburban areas, but in rural areas, they serve a different purpose. These fences offer practically no protection from intrusion, but they do ensure that farm livestock don't wander out into the countryside. Standing around 4 to 5 feet tall on average, a ranch fence is comprised of vertical posts placed roughly 8 feet apart. With most ranch fences, the vertical posts have two slits cut into them to allow for horizontal posts to rest. This can differ, with some ranch fences having up to five or six planks nailed to the vertical ones while others consist of only vertical planks with barbed wire substituting for the horizontal wood. - Invisible fences keep pets, often dogs, safe and near their homes.pets carnival image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
An invisible fence, for all intents and purposes, is not a fence at all. Used for pets, an invisible fence consists of a single wire buried roughly 1-inch deep along the outer perimeter of the yard. The other component of the fence is a collar that you place on around the neck of your pet, just like any other collar. The collar itself has a sensor inside it that generates a high-pitched noise when the animal approaches the boundary. The noise is intended to persuade the animal to stay on the property, but if the dog crosses the wiring, the collar will give the animal a small electrical shock. The shock is not meant as harmful, but it is strong enough to alert the animal. Some training is required with such a fence, but it can serve as a convenient alternative to having to watch your pet pooch every time he wants to go outside.
