Regardless of the painstaking lengths you go to when building a structure, there are constant forces working against you, namely nature. Fences are particularly vulnerable as they rely on themselves and their stability in the ground to keep them rigid and holding. What do you do when your fence falls victim to gravitational pulls and shifts in the earth? You do your best to make it last and probably learn something about installation for the next edition. Here are a few tips to address common fence issues.

Livestock fencing is a critical barrier you rely on to keep your animals in and threats out. Weaknesses and failures can cause major problems for any farmer. All types of fencing, from hi-tensile to barbed to wire to wood, are susceptible to damage. Here we outline the major categories of threats to your livestock fencing and how to address them.

There are a lot of reasons people want fences. Whether it’s to keep something in or keep someone out, they all ultimately want the same thing, a fence that lasts. Here we discuss the most important factors of good fencing.

Bulls running down the streets of Baltimore.¹ A cow strikes a car (and lived to tell) and causes $6,000 of damage.² A loose goat in Queens, then two days later a cow is running free in New York City.³   Sounds like scenes from the movies, but it’s reality … and no town, big or small, can escape the possibility of escaping livestock.  These stories pop up on newsfeeds, and most people get a chuckle out of watching a policeman try to chase down a goat, but there can be severe consequences when livestock are not contained, as they learned in Oklahoma.

Wood 

Wood fences are the most popular type of fence and have been around the longest. The type of style and range of colors are unlimited, and wood is a renewable resource if it has been sustainably harvested. The initial cost of a wood fence is much less than vinyl or composite, and if well-constructed, a wood fence will last for many years. Wood fences do require more maintenance than other types of fences. They need to be rinsed off on a regular basis and will need to be repainted or stained every 3-4 years. The upkeep cost of a wood fence will likely make it equal to or more expensive than the other types of fences.  

People choose to build a fence for many different reasons including landscape decoration, privacy, keeping pets contained, and more. A fence installation is an investment, and the result is something that should be a source of pride. Be sure to avoid these seven common mistakes that can instead broadcast to everyone in the neighborhood that you made a mistake when you built your fence:

There are many reasons to install a fence – to keep family pets safe in the backyard, to keep unwanted visitors out of a farm, to increase outdoor privacy, to add curb appeal, and more. A fence can serve any of these purposes – as long as the right one is chosen and the project is done properly. There are hundreds of different styles to choose from, each with their own set of pros and cons, maintenance requirements, and price points.

There are a large variety of fence types available based upon the purpose of the fence.  Whether you are looking for increased security, decoration, privacy, industrial or agriculture use, your choice of fencing material will vary from wire, wood, vinyl, aluminum or wrought iron. And while each type has its distinct advantages and disadvantages, and require different types of fencing tools and fasteners, many contractors today are called on to install the ever popular wooden picket decorative fence.