In many household and commercial fence applications around the UK, timber has shown to be a material that works exceptionally well. It can endure longer and perform better than many other materials, both in its natural state and when treated with wood preservatives. It is also simple to work with and widely accessible in a number of forms, shapes, and sizes.

There are several fence solutions available, and each has advantages and disadvantages. We’ve already looked at metal fence in our previous article, but now we look at the alternative of wooden fencing.

Wooden fence is strong enough to serve as a natural, non-toxic, and adequately climate-proof construction around your property if it is erected correctly and made of the right kind of wood. It is also reasonably priced and lightweight.

If you decide to build a wooden fence, the first question is what kind of wood do you need for a wooden fence? Some specific types of wood are commonly used for making wooden fences as they will be in direct contact with the ground and the surrounding environment, and these wood fences are expected to be reasonably enduring. Let’s see which wood type is the best for making wood fencing.

Types of Wood Used for Fencing

According to the research paper “Characteristics and Availability of Commercially Important Woods” developed by ‘Michael C. Wiemann’ to achieve a satisfactory service life of a wooden fence, the following types of woods can be used:

cedar wood

Cedar Wood

Cedar wood is softer rather than lighter in weight and has lesser strength and limited shock resistance. It gets slightly compressed when it is set for drying. You can work on it smoothly, it holds colour well, and is exceptionally resistant to heartwood decay. Due to its high durability, it is used for making poles, posts, cabin logs, railroad crusts, lumber, shingles, decorative fencing, and boats.

Fir-wood

Fir Wood

Fir Wood is also known locally as red-fir wood, Douglas-spruce, and yellow-fir wood. Fir Wood is used mostly for building and construction purposes in the form of lumber, piles, plywood, and engineered wood composites. These woods are costly but when used in fence the durability of the wood is taken into the count. This type of wood is reliable for holding screw and they are highly split-proof.

Red Oak Wood

Red Oak Wood

Red oak wood is dense and it shrinks during drying. The red oaks are primarily cut into lumber, railroad crossties, fence posts, veneer, etc. Generally, timber fence posts by red oak wood require preservative treatment for satisfactory service.

Teak-wood

Teak Wood

Teak wood is versatile, strong, durable, weather and warp-resistant, also does not decay easily. Teakwood being strong and having a long life is also very costly. It therefore is used only for erecting posts and maybe for making rails. Apart from fencing, it can be used for cabinet making, interior and exterior joinery, flooring and fine furniture, carving, panelling, turnery, veneers, and poles. Poles made from teak wood are used for scaffolding, fence posts and telecommunications lines.

If you are planning to make a wooden fence, you should look at the advantages and disadvantages of a wooden fence beforehand.

Advantages of Wood Fencing

  • Timber fencing is stylish

    One of the significant advantages you can get from a wood fencing is that it adds aesthetic value to a premise. It can enhance the look of your home, and set it apart from the neighbouring homes. Well, this can be achieved by using painting, carving or staining. You can paint your fence in regular water-resistant paint to enhance their appearance and to extend their service life.

  • A sustainable friendly option

    Timber fencing is an eco-friendly option. Wood is a natural substance that can be taken from a tree at any time. Old wooden fence pieces can also be disposed of without damaging the surroundings. Therefore, wood fencing is always one of the safest methods to consider.

  • Affordable

    Most fencing options like stone or brick wall fencing, steel fencing, metal fencing are expensive, but the option to buy and install a wooden fence is mostly affordable, provided wood is available in plenty from your localities.

  • Easy to install

    Wooden fences can be customized according to the owner’s needs and shape while keeping everything on a budget.

Disadvantages of Wood Fencing

  • Shorter lifespan

    Wooden fences may have a shorter lifespan than some other fencing materials like aluminium, steel, bricks, etc.

  • Requires a lot of maintenance

    The wooden fences can last a long time only if maintained regularly and properly. If the wood fences are not maintained or if the area where the fence is fixed experiences a lot of rain and snow, then the wooden fence’s life will be naturally reduced.

  • Highly flammable

    The main disadvantage of using wood in fence is that it is flammable as it catches fire quickly.

  • Susceptible to rot and insect attack

    It also gets attacked by termites and insects easily and you have to maintain it regularly to keep them protected and in good shape.

Although these kinds of fences require some attention, you can preserve your fence throughout the year by taking preventive measures and fixing any damage as soon as it occurs.

If you are interested in having bespoke wooden fence installed on your property, why don’t you get in touch with our team on either 020 8935 5159 or 07791139936, or fill in our online contact form to request a free survey and/or quote?

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