A Homeowner’s Guide: The Best Fencing Materials Your Budget Can Afford

Fence installation comes with a purpose and requires careful decision-making since there are a lot of factors that need to be considered. These factors include what type of property that needs it and the materials required for the installation. There are a few types of fencing materials in the market that you can choose from. However, it is imperative to know which ones fit your budget and which ones are considerably expensive.

That’s why we have listed below the best fencing materials your budget can afford.

The most affordable fencing material: Barbed Wire

When you raise livestock and other farm animals, there is a need to enclose your property from roaming wild animals or intruders. And nothing can do the job better than an affordable barbed wire, which merely costs a dollar or two per linear foot. From the design itself, barbed wires pose no entry for any unauthorized person. It’s the best way to keep out intruders, while at the same time, offering protection from roaming predators.

Tip: Barbed wires are only ideal for rural areas, do not use this kind of material in highly urbanized locations.

Environment-friendly fencing materials: Privet and Bamboo

If you’d like a touch nature for your fencing, you can opt for a privet fence or a bamboo fence.

Privet fences add a natural decoration on your lanyard. You can surround the area with a privet fence, which can stand around 4 feet to 10 feet, depending on your height preference. You can even have it sculpted accordingly. At the cost of $1 or $2 per linear foot, you’ll have a lovely green yard surrounding your home.

On the other hand, the bamboo fence allows you to recreate a Japanese-inspired fence, which adds uniqueness and beauty to your house’s surroundings. Not only that, but this type of fencing can also be grown naturally, just like live bamboo. However, we do not recommend growing this type of bamboo in cold climates. Rolled bamboo and bamboo cane are good alternatives.

Traditional fencing material: Wood

In the world of fencing, wood as a fencing material is considered the most popular choice by many homeowners. This is all because wood is known for its durability, aesthetic design, and versatility. Moreover, wood fencing is also in-demand for large fencing projects as it is considerably budget-efficient.

However, since wood materials have various types to choose from, the installation cost will depend on what kind of wood you want. If you decide to go for redwood and teak as fencing material, you should expect to pay more as it will cost more than a common cedar.

Pro-tip: Although you might think that you may have saved your budget for purchasing and installing a wood fencing (costing only around $13-$20 for linear footage),  it is worth noting that wood materials are prone to rot and pest problems.

It is necessary to properly maintain wood to lengthen its lifespan even though these fences can last ten years or more. Penetrating sealant application can help preserve wood fencing, so make sure to apply it after the installation, and may require annual application depending on its current condition.

Aesthetically pleasing fencing materials: Vinyl and Picket

Vinyl fencing is still considered a new material in home fencing. However, due to its reputation as an elite type of fencing material, vinyl fencing has quickly made its name. Now, many homeowners want to have vinyl fencing installed, just next to having a wood fence instead.

But what gives vinyl fencing an edge? It’s because it requires less maintenance compared to other fencing materials and is aesthetically appealing to the eyes.

Moreover, you can install vinyl fencing on your own and enjoy a DIY home renovation. Vinyl fencing has features that make them easily snap together. They are very lightweight, too.

Other than vinyl fencing, picket fencing adds beauty to your yard without causing you to overspend. Picket fencing can cost you around from $11-$14 per linear foot, and can already cover your entire front yard. There’s a range of picket fence designs you can choose from, such as pointed and round. Any of these can improve the look of your home instantly.

The only fencing material that’ll cost you nothing: Pallet

When starting a DIY fencing project,  why not go all in and start collecting wood pallets, which are usually found in nurseries and construction sites.  However, be careful when collecting wood pallets since nails and splinters are commonly found on their surface. Make sure that the pallets you have collected are treated to avoid any potential spread of pests or plant disease.

Tip: Wood pallets may have cost you nothing, but it requires diligence and hard work, especially if you’re aiming for a total DIY fencing project.

Takeaway

There’s a reason why people decide to add fences around their property. It could be because of privacy, security, or aesthetics. Whatever purpose it stands for, fencing doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive (most of the time) to achieve the privacy and the reliability you need. To find the best fencing materials, you just have to look around and do some research.