Popular forms of fencing

Wood, vinyl/PVC, aluminium and high tensile steel are the most common types of fencing and each one has their advantages and disadvantages that will ultimately influence your decision on which one to choose for your fencing needs.

Wood Fencing

A wooden fence is a natural option when it comes to fences and sometimes might be the only one you have in cases such as listed buildings or where housing regulations apply.

Pros

They have a natural look and feel
They can be stained/painted to change their appearance
They come in a large variety of styles and designs

Cons

They weather quickly
They will need to be maintained annually
They can rot/warp due to varying weather conditions
They have a shorter life span than that of other materials

Vinyl/PVC Fencing

Vinyl/PVC fences are fast taking the top spot when it comes to places like the Midwest USA but in colder climates like the UK and Europe there not so lucky. This is mainly down to the fences contracting in the cold making them brittle and in damp conditions they are prone to algae, mould and mildew build-up.

Pros

They can have the appearance of wood from afar
They won’t need painting, meaning less maintenance
They never splinter making for a safer option if taking children into account

Cons

Their wood-like appearance is a lot more plastic closer up
They are unable to be painted so once you have it there’s no changing its colour
Contraction and expansion down to changing temperatures can cause damage to the fence
They are prone to mould, algae and mildew which in turn will cause staining to occur which is difficult to remove.
If you decide to get rid of your vinyl/PVC fence, it can be quite costly to dispose of

Aluminium Fencing

Introduced to the fencing market fairly recently, this type of fencing is more popular with commercial settings rather than residential and will be more commonly seen around building sites being used as temporary fencing.

Pros

Requires virtually no maintenance as it does not corrode.
Very environmentally friendly down to it being completely recyclable
They are lightweight so can easily be moved around, making for good temporary fencing

Cons

These fences can be easily bent meaning their overall appearance can potentially deteriorate rapidlyDenting is a common occurrence with this type of fence and if you want it to repair you will need to replace the whole section.

Steel Fencing

In the last 30 years, steel fencing has surpassed the wrought iron options as the top form of high-quality fencing.

Pros

They are stronger than other types, do not rot and have higher resistance against harsh weather
They have a substantial and robust look
Minimal and simple maintenance required
Highly durable

Cons

Initial costs of steel fencings tend to be higher than the other types of the boundary fence
The complexity of the installation process means that most steel fence project will not be a DIY one and will require outside assistance and labour