Fences made of wood are considered the most short-lived. After all, not everyone knows (or does not want to know) the secrets of wood and its processing.
An untreated pine fence will indeed last no more than 10 years, and even then, provided that the lower part of the pillar is waterproofed. If you are making a temporary fence for the period of construction and improvement, then this is a completely justified decision.
Another thing is when wood is chosen as a building material not because of its cheapness, but because of the possibilities of design. After all, wood is considered the most malleable material for decorative processing.
This is what the fence looks like from the first photo from the side of the yard. Agree, no less attractive ...
Pay attention to the outline of the boards: how much "attention" was paid to each of them, how carefully the edges are worked out and the corners are smoothed... The photo shows the sliding gates of the same yard.
And how many design techniques exist: firing, tinting, the effect of aging, combining with forged overlays, and finally, just perfect grinding and coating with yacht varnish.
Design options for wooden fences are given at the end of the article.
Having invested labor (or money) in the creation of a masterpiece of wooden architecture, I want to admire it for as long as possible. Therefore, there are a number of important points that the owner of the estate should know.
LONGEVITY Pledge
Choose for the fence those wood species that are distinguished by high density: Siberian larch, oak, mulberry, acacia, aspen, alder, ash. By the way, a Siberian larch fence can be called eternal - from contact with water, the wood of this tree, on the contrary, grows stronger.
Limit the use of pine to the creation of a fence board - in case of rapid wear, it is not difficult to replace it. In no case do not put a birch fence - it has the most unstable wood.
support poles for a wooden fence can be wooden, metal or made of masonry.
The last two options will serve as a reliable support for many years to come. But do not write off the tree. It doesn't have to be buried in the ground.
To extend the service life, you can use special metal consoles (supports), which are concreted, and then a wooden bar is attached to them (see link on the side).
The most vulnerable part sawn wood - one where the cut is made across the grain. To extend the life of a wooden fence will help the horizontal arrangement of boards or a protective visor over those standing vertically.
Wood is vulnerable when it comes into direct contact with air: it swells and is affected by fungus when wet, and too dry contributes to its cracking. You can reduce the risks due to the mandatory treatment: impregnation with an antiseptic plus painting with special dyes (Swedish paint, yacht varnish, impregnation with hot drying oil).
SWEDISH PAINT
- iron (copper) vitriol - 260 g,
- iron minium - 260 g,
- table salt - 260 g,
- rye flour - 580 g,
- drying oil or linseed oil - 240 ml,
- water - about 4.5 liters.
The consumption of the composition is approximately 200-300 ml/m 2 . Color - golden. If you need a different shade, then red lead can be replaced with ocher or manganese peroxide.
The coloring composition is prepared as follows: the flour is mixed with 3 liters of water and the paste is boiled, passed through a sieve to avoid lumps, put on fire again and add ferrous sulfate and salt, stirring constantly until the vitriol is completely dissolved, continuing to stir, pour in small portions first oil (linseed oil) then water (until a liquid homogeneous consistency is obtained).
Apply the paint immediately, because it thickens quickly. Therefore, it is better to work with two or three people, or divide the composition into smaller portions and cook it as it is spent.
WOODEN FENCE FRAME
The step of the supporting pillars is 2-3 m.
As supports, choose a round or square bar with a section of 100x100 mm or a metal pipe with a section of 40x40, 40x60, 60x60 mm (with a wall thickness of 2 mm), for gates 80x80 and 100x100 mm (with a wall thickness of 3 mm). The wider the pitch of the supports and the greater the load (weight and wind), the greater the size and thickness of the walls.
So for a fence-blinds with a two-meter section, the minimum parameters from the above are chosen, for a solid one, and even with forged overlays - the maximum.
If there is no choice of lumber (wood species), then the budget pine is carefully treated with protective chemistry, and the posts must be installed on a concrete base.
For horizontal crossbars, a bar with a section of 30 (enough) x 50 (and wider) mm is used.
For mounting wooden crossbars on a metal pole, "ears" with holes for fasteners are welded to it. To avoid welding during installation, you can purchase ready-made posts with fasteners.
A board 25 mm thick goes to the skin (shield). The width varies depending on the design.
The rest of the technological sequence, the depth and method of laying, up to the chemical treatment of the frame, is the same as for the fence from corrugated board:
- frame is mounted
- color,
- after stuffing the shield.
METHOD OF FASTENING THE FRAME AND BOARDS
The most durable will be the connection with self-tapping screws. Choose self-tapping screws, taking into account such a requirement: the body of a wooden pole (crossbar) should include 30-40 mm of thread.
Each board is fixed with at least two screws on each edge.
There are options for a non-standard approach to fastening boards. Here is an example of a fence assembled according to the wattle principle. The curved board, trying to straighten itself, is pressed tightly against the support. Although, given the pliability of wood in a humid environment, additional fixation of each board will still have to be done.
For the fence in the photo above, we used the method of sheathing with wooden siding. Start fastening the boards from the bottom up with an overlap of 2.5 cm.
If the boards are made with a downward slope towards the street, then an invisible fence will be obtained that will not experience strong wind loads. There are several ways to fix the boards at an angle.
In the photo on the right, wooden lamellas are nailed to a gear rack, which, in turn, is fixed to a support post.
Another way- nail the boards from the end. It is important to clearly mark the wooden rack. This option is relevant for a fence with metal supports. When all sections are filled along the front and back, a board is nailed that will cover the entire "kitchen". A wooden plug must be put on top of the pole.
Are you interested in the question of how to mount the next section if the neighboring section restricts access to it? It is simply slightly pushed out first towards the street, after - the site (or vice versa) in order to fix the lamella. Fastening to a metal support is carried out after the installation of adjacent sections.
Third option for wooden beam support. In it, oblique cut-grooves are made, into which the end of the lamellas is inserted. Each must be screwed with a self-tapping screw, and then a wooden lining is made from the front part, which will hide the attachment points.
In the end, the wooden blinds fence will look like this. Don't forget to nail the end caps to the top of the post.
Simple horizontal fastening of boards looks boring. But if you make small (up to 1.5 cm) gaps between them, then the canvas of the section will acquire a more modern sound. How at the same board (within reason), the more interesting and modern the finished fence looks.
It’s also nice to alternate boards of different widths - the main thing is that adjacent sections repeat the pattern.
Do not ignore the unedged board. In addition to being cheaper, it also looks more exclusive. The truth is not suitable for all styles of site design. It will look win-win in the forest.
Here is another option for a brutal style wooden fence.
You will need a jigsaw, a wood carving knife, sanding paper and skillful hands in order to make such an original fence with the effect of a time-worn board.
Have you ever collected puzzles? So, to create these fence sections (pictured above), you first need to draw and carve them from the boards. Each plank of this fence has its own clear size and bend, that is, first they create a template, then they cut it out, chamfer it, grind it, and treat it with protective chemistry. And only after they are knocked down into the section. And how the elements are fixed to each other is the secret of the master ...
For the slab fence in the photo above, the entire wane was carefully selected, because it is unacceptable for some sections of the boards to be too thin in thickness. The bark was removed, each plank was given piquant contours with a jigsaw, the surface was polished. In general, the cheap price of the material is covered by painstaking work.
I recommend copying this design exactly in relation to the original, or first create a project (span diagram) of the entire fence, choosing an alternation of drawings. And only after making sure that the whole canvas of the fence looks harmonious, proceed to implementation.
Do not get carried away with such a bright texture for all the wooden elements of the yard. Exclusive only wins when it is unique.
The fence serves as a reliable protection for the house. It will prevent stray dogs or unwanted guests from entering the site. Today you can make a beautiful fence from any material: metal, mesh or brick.
A reliable and economical option would be a wooden fence on metal poles, which is easy to do with your own hands.
Types of wooden fences
How to build a high-quality wooden fence cheaply, see the video:
fence decoration
The installed fence, if desired, can be decorated with climbing plants. This type of decoration is suitable for all types of fences.
If the owner of the site has a romantic nature, decorating the fence with fresh roses will suit him. Roses are planted close to the fence so that the sun's rays fall on them. The distance between the bushes should not be less than two meters.
plant support carried out using a metal mesh installed by hand. The flower bed should consist of flowers that match the tone of the paintwork.
Decorating with flowers in plastic pots will give your fence a delightful look and a designer twist. Pots are attached around the entire perimeter of a wooden structure with fresh flowers already prepared in advance.
Fence decoration with mosaic elements- a difficult task that requires time and power loads. The whole family can be involved in this work. Broken mirrors or tiles are useful for work.
Pieces are applied to the surface, representing a single composition or pattern. After completion of the work, the fence will not look like a wooden structure “like everyone else”, but will become the pride of the family.
wood carving
Woodcarving has always been valued and used in the construction of houses and fences. This decoration adds design folk color and originality. The most common carved fence is with lace.
To create it, you will need a pre-prepared drawing on paper, which is later transferred to a wooden surface. Best used for carving thin wood from which the drawing will be cut.
A novice master should limit himself to a simple image so as not to create additional difficulties when cutting out.
After drawing the drawing, they start cutting out. For masters who are fluent in a jigsaw, such a task will not present any particular difficulty.
Wood saw with fine teeth. It will provide a smooth surface around the edges of the product. If blots in the work are still allowed, they can be rubbed with sandpaper.
When creating a pattern on the surface of the fence, craftsmen often use the technique of geometric carving. as pattern elements use circles, triangles, rhombuses and other shapes.
Work on creating geometric patterns is laborious. However, they are quite doable even for beginner builders. Cut out patterns with a sharpened wood knife. This type of fence decoration refers to Russian folk art.
Cutting contour faces give the fence volume. With this type of carving, you can give free rein to fantasy and creative thoughts. The drawing in such a composition does not matter, it can be anything.
The work is done entirely by hand. The effect of volume will be enhanced if you use one color around the edges, and add a more saturated shade to the middle.
Types of decorative fences
Decorative fences have different variations. The most common:
Installing a decorative fence is not difficult if you know the basics of technology and the rules for doing the job.
Any owner of a suburban area quite rightly tries to enclose his possessions in some way. Thus, the construction of the fence is always included in the list of priority tasks, and it is often begun to be mounted even before the construction of the main house has begun. There are a lot of design options for such fences. But despite the very wide range of materials offered for sale, both general construction and specially designed for the construction of fences, wooden fences remain one of the most popular.
Wooden fences have been used for centuries, and have proven their practicality. True, the fence supports have been and remain a weak point - wood from constant contact with the ground is quickly biodegradable, and the age of wooden poles, alas, is short-lived. But nothing in our time prevents us from finding a more solid solution. So, for example, a wooden fence on metal poles will last much longer . It is about such fences that will be discussed in this publication.
Increasingly, instead of massive and monumental brick and stone fences, the townsfolk are choosing wooden ones. fences and fences for the house: photos of successful examples make it possible to verify the exceptional attractiveness of such a solution. It is wood that is considered the material that can not only guarantee protection from encroachment, but also look not too intimidating.
Wooden fence: a practical decoration for the site
Fences and railings made of wood can be considered a traditional option for our society. The abundance of wood and its cheapness allow even not very wealthy people to use this material. But in Western countries, a tree, on the contrary, is considered a sign of the wealth and success of the owners of a house or plot. Such a fence today is not only status, but also elegance, environmental friendliness and modernity of the overall style solution.
The choice in favor of a wooden fence is often based on one of the following factors:
- Environmental friendliness. In the modern age of technology, artificial materials and a polluted environment, each person seeks to surround himself with the safest materials. Wood becomes the optimal solution for those who care about the health of their family members.
- Ease of maintenance. A wooden fence is that part of the household that will not only not require special attention, but will also make you feel like a creator in the process of caring for it. Carpentry skills will help you replace the plank if necessary, and the ability to hold a brush in your hands will allow you to update the color of the fence and make it more elegant.
- Beautiful wooden fences for the house are also practical. Serving as reliable protection from the weather and from prying eyes, such fences, with proper care, will last for more than one year. Wood is the most versatile material that can be useful in any situation: for example, as a fence for a yard, as a border between summer cottages, as a garden divider into zones.
FACT! In order for the fence to last as long as possible, you should choose the most durable and reliable types of wood: for example, oak, ash, larch. It is also important to take into account the characteristics of moisture and soil composition.
- Harmony is the main thing that distinguishes a wooden fence from a metal or stone one. A lively and pleasant material fits perfectly into the environment, and with the right skills, a fence made of it can be turned into a work of art.
No less important factors that should also be taken into account are its relatively low cost (for example, in comparison with a similar metal or brick product) and ease of installation. It is possible to protect the site with such a fence in a short time, even without the involvement of experienced craftsmen.
Types and features of wooden fences
When choosing a wooden fence for a private house, each responsible owner draws up a complete picture for himself: which fences are customary to build, which of them are the most reliable, what is the cost of building one or another type of fence. Experts distinguish the following types of wooden fences suitable for use as a fence:
- A classic fence is a solid canvas consisting of tightly fitted boards that can be placed both vertically and horizontally. The classic version of the fence can be strengthened with a foundation of bricks and stone, and you can also use posts made of wood, metal or stone as its base.
- The palisade consists of vertically installed and tightly fitted logs. To ensure maximum strength and longevity, logs are recommended to be installed on a foundation and not in the ground. This type of fencing looks quite aggressive and is suitable for actively protecting property from encroachment, which is especially facilitated by sharply sharpened tops of logs.
ADVICE! The picket fence can be an extremely original and attractive fence, as it allows you to choose the optimal pattern, the distance between the planks and the shape of the top edge.
- Herringbone or ladder. Fencing boards are mounted horizontally on top of each other, and the use of special spacers provides excellent ventilation with full opacity of the canvas.
- Lattice is considered the most decorative type of fence. Crossed, 45-degree, or interlaced planks in a classic wicker frame look almost like a work of art. This type of fence is often used as a support for weaving and climbing plants.
ADVICE! To give such a fence a more expressive appearance, designers recommend using a combination of several options for arranging planks in one canvas.
- A cowboy ranch-style wooden fence is a rather specific type of fence that is more suitable for delimiting an area or controlling access to a certain part of the site for people or animals. The horizontal bars look exotic and are suitable for use in large areas.
Installation and maintenance of a wooden fence: the subtleties of the process
Among the inhabitants there is an opinion about the complexity of building a wooden fence on the site. That is why owners often do not think about how to do it themselves, but prefer to turn to specialists. However, with a competent approach to the choice of technology and compliance with all construction standards, the construction of a fence on your site is not such a difficult process.
In the process of caring for a wooden fence, the most important step is the pre-treatment of wood. To preserve the natural natural color of the wood, it must be varnished: in this case, the boards will not darken from moisture. Special impregnations guarantee the protection of the fence from pests and rain, since they usually include insecticides and antifungal agents.
Special impregnations for wood will not allow it to lose color, as well as protect it from mold, pests and weather conditions.
A wooden fence for a suburban area should be considered not only a way to protect the territory, but also a stylish decorative detail. The natural beauty of the material, emphasized by the stylish form, will make the site even more spectacular, will allow you to more rationally approach the solution of landscape problems and rationally organize the space.
Wooden fences among the owners of summer cottages are extremely popular. Nevertheless, sometimes you can hear how wood is called a cheap material, boring and boring. Whereas true connoisseurs understand that natural material is always beautiful, environmentally friendly, modern and stylish. And if the owner of the site has a taste, a wooden fence can look expensive and really impressive.
Peculiarities
The fence of the estate territory is one of the most necessary elements on the garden plot, regardless of its size. Such structures can be extremely diverse: carry a decorative function or protect the territory from intruders, be expensive or budget, complex configuration or ordinary picket fence.
Wood is extremely popular. Wood as a raw material is more expensive than profiled sheet, but cheaper than brick or wrought iron. In favor of the choice of this material is evidenced by such a property as environmental friendliness.
In our age of high technology and a large number of industrial facilities, when the "black sky" regime over cities has become commonplace, many people opt for natural materials. The tree becomes an outlet for people who care about their well-being and that of their loved ones.
A wooden fence can be painted, decorated with unique carvings, which often add chic to the entire garden. But even unpainted wood looks very good. Of course, wood is not as durable as, for example, brick or concrete. However, there are special compounds to treat and protect a wooden fence from fungus or wood bugs. And this will significantly increase the life of the structure. In addition, you can cover the structure with varnish, drying oil or special paint enriched with protective substances. This will also increase its service life.
It is no coincidence that a wooden fence is considered one of the most beautiful. Any wooden houses: not only from a log house or timber, but also those in which only wood-like finishes are used, look very harmonious, complemented by a fence made of the same material. As a rule, wood structures easily fit into any design solution.
Advantages and disadvantages
Wood has many advantages, and they are all quite significant.
- Wood is a natural and environmentally friendly material that does not litter the environment. It is light, lively, "breathing", which creates the feeling of a space filled with fresh air. In a plastic or glass interior, this cannot be experienced.
- A wooden fence does not require much effort to care for it; with the help of minimal skills, you can change a board that has failed, and in order to paint a structure, you just need to pick up a paint brush or roller.
- Practicality of structures made of wood. They protect from prying eyes and from bad weather, if properly cared for, they will last a long time. If you choose a durable species, such as larch, oak or ash, this will increase the life of the fence. At the same time, such structures pass air well and do not “suffocate”.
- Natural material harmonizes with the environment. A wooden fence can even become a real work of art if its owner has a taste. It is possible to decorate it as you like, and if you have the desire and ability, you can do it yourself.
- It is also important to take into account the relatively low cost, as well as simple installation. Even without resorting to the help of professionals, it is possible to create a fence on the site in the shortest possible time. There are very few designs and types that you can’t do yourself.
- A large number of options suitable for a variety of situations. Wooden fences are so different in appearance that in fact they have only one thing in common - the wood material from which they are made.
- Wood is also friendly to other materials, it combines perfectly with them. This makes it possible to come up with even more design options.
- An important fact is that the tree absorbs sounds well. In summer cottages or cottage settlements, the construction of such a fence and getting rid of unnecessary noise can be a big plus.
The disadvantages traditionally include a short service life(maximum ten years), easy flammability if the material has not been subjected to fire protection impregnations, as well as a tendency to soak and rot. However, with proper care and regular treatment with special compounds, the “life” of a wooden fence can be significantly extended. In addition, in the event of damage to one or two boards, there is no need to disassemble the entire structure, it is enough to replace only the part that is out of order.
You also need to take into account the rather low protective ability of wooden fences, unless, of course, this is a stockade with pointed tops. The rest of the species still perform a more decorative function, decorating the site and complementing the architecture of the house building.
Accordingly, if there is a desire (or need) for the fence to protect, it may make sense to consider other, more durable materials or wooden fences in combination, for example, with brick supports.
Kinds
When choosing a fence for your site, each homeowner draws his own conclusions: how much it costs to build one or another type of fence, which types are most popular, and which ones are durable. It is wood that is the unique material from which, if desired, you can build a thousand fences, while never repeating yourself.
There are several types of wooden fences:
- classical;
- palisade;
- log paving;
- fence;
- ladder (herringbone);
- blinds;
- ranch;
- wattle;
- lattice.
A classic wooden fence consists of boards fitted to each other with a solid canvas, which can be either vertical or horizontal. You can put it on a brick or stone foundation, or you can frame it with columns. This option is universal, applicable in almost any situation and for any site.
Unlike the classic picket fence, the canvas is formed strictly vertically. As the name suggests, this type consists of stakes driven into the ground. This is a very aggressive type of fence, especially if the upper ends of the logs are sharpened. In addition, due to the density, this fence requires a large amount of material, so it may not be too cheap. Of all types of wooden fences, this one provides the best protection, since there are few people who want to climb over the sharp peaks of the palisade.
Modern palisades look lighter than traditional ones; stakes are not always butt-fitted to each other. There are some fun designs, like lances that are painted and sharpened like pencils. The elements of the palisade, framed by stone pillars and foundations, look original.
In log paving, logs tightly fitted to each other are laid horizontally, vertically or at an angle. In order to join more tightly, the logs are sawn in half.
As for the picket fence, it is traditionally used for fencing exclusively summer cottages. Protection is not its function, as a rule, this type of fence is low and sparse, most often it is installed to mark the site. Although you can give it the desired height and reduce the width of the gaps, in this way, the temporary fence will turn into a full-fledged fence.
You can increase the aesthetic appeal of the fence by creating the necessary combination of pattern, spacing between the planks and the shape of the top edge, suitable for a particular area. This type is easy to install and inexpensive, but does not withstand mechanical stress. A low picket fence is ideally complemented by climbing plants.
This kind of picket fence as a "checkerboard" is distinguished by some as an independent form. Since each side of it is front due to the installation of the crate on the longitudinal logs, this option is extremely attractive and also durable.
An interesting solution to the chessboard, when the bottom of the board is fitted tightly, and gaps are left on top. Thus, the design achieves a balance between privacy and openness.
When constructing a Christmas tree (ladder), the boards are installed horizontally and overlapped, and thanks to the specific design of the fence, complete opacity is ensured with excellent ventilation.
For the construction of blinds, the boards are placed vertically or horizontally with a slight slope and stacked on top of each other by 1 or 2 cm. This method reliably hides from prying eyes. At the same time, a fence of this design allows air to pass through well, therefore it is relevant for wetlands and areas located in lowlands. You can fix the structure on metal poles.
Wattle (tyn) - again, from the name it is clear that this is a structure woven from shrubs or tree shoots. She is very beautiful, elegant, but extremely fragile. To maintain an aesthetically attractive appearance, it is necessary to periodically “weave” broken branches into the structure and cut off shoots growing in the wrong direction.
Such a fence looks interesting when it is woven for a flower bed to protect it from animal access. It is even more original when several flower beds are braided in this way. Also, to create this kind of fence, you can use wooden boxes.
However, it would be wrong to say that a wicker fence cannot be made of boards. On the contrary, such fences are popular, although more expensive. The most durable and solid among them is a wicker fence with brick pillars. It is very expensive, and its installation takes a lot of time, but the result can exceed all expectations.
A wicker fence with metal posts looks very impressive. It is being built much faster and easier, much cheaper than even a similar design with false pillars.
Ranch - this type of fencing came from America, where it is very popular. In Russia, it is no less popular, although it is called "fence". It is used, as a rule, for zoning a front garden, as well as fencing a place for walking farm animals. The “ranch” option, installed on a stone support with stone pillars, does not look beaten.
The most decorative of all types is the lattice. Planks can be placed at an angle, crosswise or braided, in any case it will come out aesthetically attractive. If you combine several types of “weaving” planks on one canvas, the fence will look even more impressive. The lattice used as a support for climbing plants or decorated with small baskets of flowers looks very nice.
Lattice fence is the most suitable type of fencing for decoration.
The listed species are the main ones, other subspecies are derived from them. You can list for a long time: cat ears, dog ears, peak, concave, double concave, convex - these are all types of fences. Each type performs its functions in accordance with the needs of the owner.
There are also options that combine two types of fences, for example, wickerwork and checkerboard or lattice and checkerboard.
materials
Most often, fences designed to protect the site are constructed using conifers: larch, spruce, cedar, pine. It should be borne in mind that pine is not the most durable material. To build a fence made of wood, any breed will do. The main thing is the quality of the wood.
If you need to get by with a minimum of funds, then the ideal option is pine or spruce boards treated with an antiseptic, which contains olive oil. However, it must be remembered that spruce is an extremely knotty material, subject, like pine, to increased cracking. However, sawing these rocks is much easier due to their softness.
It should be noted that during the construction of a wooden fence there are two options: budget and expensive. The most expensive option is larch.
If you expect exclusively decorative qualities from the fence, it is better to opt for hardwood: birch, beech, ash. The strength of this design may be low, but it will look very attractive.
Support columns can be made of bricks, timber, metal profiles, pipes and screw piles. Preferably brick or piles.
Depending on the type of fence being constructed, the material for its sheathing is also selected - logs (rounded or not), timber, boards, picket fence.
Having stopped on a log, it should be remembered that the fence made of it is extremely heavy, requires a more solid support, but at the same time it is highly durable and reliable.
As for the beam, it is divided into several types:
- whole;
- profiled;
- glued;
- spliced;
- double.
A bar is also a massive material, which makes the fence very heavy and makes it durable. As with choosing a log, a log fence requires very strong supporting posts.
If you decide to use boards, there are three types suitable for fence sheathing:
- planed;
- decorative;
- unedged.
Most often, planed boards are used, they are universal, suitable for any fence. In addition, they are atraumatic, smooth and immediately ready for use.
For decorative boards, only the ends and sides are processed. Then they are aged with a special composition. This species is becoming more and more popular among sophisticated gardeners. The brushing method gives the wood an original texture. The only downside is the material is expensive.
The name "unedged board" speaks for itself - it is not treated with anything. This is economical, but fraught with splinters, cuts and other minor injuries. Therefore, if this type is acquired, it is better to process it yourself.
Perhaps the cheapest option for building a wooden fence is a slab, that is, a side cut of a log. One side of it is sawn, and the other is raw. We can say that the slab is a type of woodworking waste. Having sanded and cleaned the material from the bark, it is easy to build a practical and beautiful fence. It can be laid both horizontally and vertically, with or without gaps.
It is important to consider that only business slabs can be used for fencing.
However, there is also a more expensive (and high-quality) version of this material - the so-called block house, which in fact is not a pure slab, but its imitation. It is made from coniferous species, it costs several times more. It certainly looks more impressive.
It may be that the owner decides to combine materials by making a fence, for example, from wood and stone. This is a classic version, very attractive and interesting. Stone pillars act as support, they are connected by spans of wood.
If for some reason stone supports are not available, you can replace them with false pillars - metal structures with an indelible pattern that imitates stone or brick. Such poles look like real ones, they can be made according to the customer's sketch - for example, under a tree.
An interesting combination (and very innovative) is offered by designers to bold owners: stones are tightly poured into a double chain-link fence, and the structure is closed with wooden planks from above and below. This structure is called "gabion". It can also be used solo, dividing the space of the garden or recreation area into zones.
Regarding the quality of the material purchased for the construction of the fence, the following can be said.
- The plastic packaging in which the fence boards are located must be transparent. If it is not, then it is better not to make a purchase. In this case, a pig in a poke can not be purchased.
- If there are drops of water inside the package, then the boards are damp; when they dry, deformation may occur.
- Planed boards should not be rough or cracked. Also, they are unacceptable for the presence of chips.
- Screw curvature also speaks of marriage. The boards need to be level.
- Knotty wood is not good, even worse - if the knots fell out.
- The smell should be fresh, woody; the slightest hint of mold also means marriage, that is, rotting.
- The surface of the boards must not be wet.
- It is necessary to treat with doubt the presence of stains of unknown origin and the unnatural color of the boards, this also indicates poor quality material.
Style and design
The fence, both built around the house and located inside the site, should be in harmony directly with the house and other elements of the garden. It can be decorated in any style the owner wishes. Someone paints the fence, preferring this decor method to others. Someone decorates it with carved details, patterns, ornaments. Someone likes plants that twine a fence like a hedge.
You can decorate the fence as you like, as long as it does not change the sense of proportion and style. As for the design, at present, in addition to the standard forms of fences, a lot of new, original options are offered - convex, concave, wicker, puzzle gates, where each board is given an individual shape, and then they are all tightly fitted to each other in an intricate pattern.
Of course, wood carving remains the most popular solution chosen by owners to decorate their fence.
The thread can be:
- Geometric- this is a very difficult type of activity, since it is necessary to cut a pattern consisting of geometric shapes on the surface of the wood using a special knife and chisel;
- contour– also performed manually; the desired pattern is applied to the wood with a pencil, after which its contour is knocked out with a chisel. The result is a three-dimensional carved pattern, which can be given depth if the recesses are painted in one shade, and the rest in another;
- Lace- the easiest way, its essence is that a pattern is applied to a wooden blank. After that, a hole is drilled into which the jigsaw knife is installed, and then they only work with it.
Provence-style fences can be decorated with any elements that come to mind - from birdhouses to flower pots. Fans of country style should take a closer look at the darkened unpainted wood, of course, in good condition.
Regarding the rustic style, we can say that this is the simplest thing that exists, and a minimum of funds is enough to create a fence in this style - the same slab. The effect that such a fence creates, if it was created not hastily, but with taste and, as they say, with soul, is many times greater than the effort expended.
How to do it yourself?
It happens that the owner does not want to resort to the services of professionals, wanting to independently build a wooden fence in his garden. This is quite realistic if you calculate the amount of materials and meticulously follow the steps of the step-by-step instructions. Moreover, installing a fence with your own hands can turn into an exciting activity for one person or for the whole family.
Before starting work, you need to calculate how many boards you will need. This is not difficult. It is necessary to divide the length of the proposed fence by the width of the board - if it is planned, for example, to erect a palisade. If the fence is not continuous, then the width of the board is added to the width of the gap, then the length of the fence is divided by this number.
In any case, it is better to purchase boards a little more than required. Especially if they are non-trivial, and it will be difficult to buy them in case of shortage.
However, an experienced summer resident knows that the store does not sell boards, but cubic meters of wood. But that's not a problem. To find out how many cubic meters of wood will be needed for the construction, you must first multiply the length, width and thickness of one board. After that, we multiply the resulting number by the previously calculated number of boards. Everything is ready, cubic meters are calculated.
The easiest to perform is a picket fence with gaps. For its construction, one cannot do without drawing accessories - rulers, squares, pencils. In addition, you need a hacksaw for wood and, if you plan to cut curly elements, a jigsaw. To dig, you need a shovel; to drill, you need a drill. It is obvious.
The number of required accessories such as self-tapping screws and metal corners should be calculated in advance.
- The beginning of any construction is the marking of the territory and the determination of the line where the fence will pass. This area must be cleared and the old building, if any, dismantled.
- When the length and place are determined, you need to drive in pegs along the entire length of the future fence. As soon as the place for the gate (or gate, or both) is determined, the points of the supporting pillars are marked at a distance of 2 to 3 m between each.
- Next - time to install the base. It can be a foundation or the installation of support pillars. Pillars can be driven in or planted on a concrete base. The depth to which the supports are dug in should not be less than 0.7 m. At this stage, you need to control the height of the supports.
- Part of the supports that enter the ground is recommended to be treated with liquid bitumen, this will significantly strengthen the base, as well as extend the life of the fence as a whole.
- It is most reliable to fill the hole where the support is installed with liquid concrete. Then the supports will definitely not loosen.
- Two crossbars (upper and lower) are attached to the support posts on nails or self-tapping screws. If the fence is high, you can attach a third one - in the middle.
- Form the body of the fence by attaching the boards. The choice of the method of fastening the boards depends on the chosen type of fence and the desire of the owner. If you wish, you can not be limited to a simple horizontal or vertical layout by forming an ornament (having previously thought out how to do this).
- To give additional strength to the structure, it is recommended to attach the boards to pre-installed metal corners.
- After that, it remains to treat the fence with protective compounds, for example, impregnation from moisture.
- For the manufacture of the gate, the canvas is collected separately.
How to make a wooden fence with your own hands, see the following video.
In order for the fence to last as long as possible, it is necessary to properly care for it. Flame retardants and other substances, if treated with wood before installation, will protect it from decay, insects, and sunlight.
Through the use of various types of paint, you can both enhance the qualities of wood and decorate the fence. Currently, paints not only give color, but also carry out a number of protective functions. Before painting, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned and dried, if possible degreased. If there are traces of the old coating, they must be removed with a scraper or a stiff brush.
Most often, staining is done with a brush, less often with an airbrush. It is necessary to paint along the fibers, at least in 2 layers in case of primary painting. If you need to update the paint, one layer is enough. It is better not to start this kind of work in heat, rain or wind.
It must be remembered that not a single, even the most potent remedy, will always work. Therefore, the regularity of processing should become the rule for caring for the fence.
There are several effective formulations, for example:
- Toplasur Belinka. Suitable for all types of wood. It is not subject to tinting, it is available in ready-made shades. Helps the material withstand adverse weather conditions.
- Holzlasur Gel JOBI. It has the property of repelling water, it adheres well to the surface. Prevents the development of wood diseases (fungus, rot and others). Translucent.
- Pinotex ultra. It has the same properties as the composition above. However, it is opaque, subject to tinting.
- Tikkurila valtti color extra. About 40 shades, protects from direct sunlight and precipitation.
- Olympus Omicron. Protects against factors such as mold, insects, moisture, UV. Has a small consumption, economical. Is tinted.
To extend the life of the fence during the construction period, the following conditions must be met:
- make sure that there are no anthills or overgrown bushes in the area where the fence is planned to be installed;
- impregnate the boards with antiseptics before starting installation;
- after finishing it, prime the entire surface; choose a warm day for this when the tree dries;
- the primer should be made with paint, which contains a lot of natural oils.
To provide the fence with additional protection, a visor is installed on the top of the fence, which is attached to additional slats. This will protect the fence from precipitation. It can be either a visor made of wood, or made of metal or metal-plastic. The color can be either tone-on-tone or contrast with the fence, depending on the general intention of the owner. The shape of the ridge can be different - either an angle, or a semicircular, or in the form of the letter P.
Constant removal of excess grass is necessary to protect the bottom of the fence. The more it grows near the fence, the higher the level of moisture, and this, in turn, can lead to decay. To avoid this, after the grass is removed, gravel can be poured.
Beautiful examples and options
Below are options for different wooden fences - for a private house, cottage, garden. Even in this small sample, you can see how diverse wood can be, harmoniously adapting to any style and side by side with any other material.
- Massive "antique" fences give solidity and status.
- Original wooden picket fence. A simple and elegant version of the lattice looks great on a concrete foundation. It is thanks to concrete that the proximity to the lawn does not cause wood decay.
- And you can make a wicker fence made of hazel. An interesting wattle variant is an original companion for a concrete platform.
- A horizontal fence made of boards, arranged according to the wattle principle, is a very interesting specimen. The upper metal bar in the shape of the letter U reliably protects the wood from precipitation.
- Slab fence on a concrete foundation. A great example of how expensive cheap material can be. Due to the tight fit of the boards to each other, an intricate pattern has developed on the canvas, and the ridge-bar on top protects from the destructive environmental factors.
- Antique wooden fence in country style with imitation of rope stitches. Deliberately simple technique at the same time looks very unusual.
- A wooden fence with brick pillars looks very massive. The construction is strong and durable. The concrete base gives additional solidity.
- And here is this inexpensive, original and attractive design: a fence made of wood (Euro fence) on false poles.
- Gabions are containers made of metal or plastic nets. The solution is innovative, unhackneyed and attractive in appearance. Suitable both for combination with other material in the fence canvas, and for independent use - for space zoning.