• Timber
• Brick
• Steel

A guide to fencing design, materials and gates. Fences serve a variety of purposes and can be made from a wealth of different materials. In addition to keeping your family and pets in the yard, fences also help provide security from unwanted intruders. Obviously, taller, solid fences are best for providing security and styles without gaps are best for keeping pets in and traffic noise out.

Consider the structure of the fence on the interior side and gaps between palings or panels to prevent your children climbing the fence and risking injury. Local government requirements should also be adhered to where the dividing fence also serves as a pool fence.

Some styles of fences can also be used as wind and sound barriers. High lapped panel fences are especially good at blocking noise, as are solid brick or cement fences. Tall picket fences, louvres and basket weave styles are a good choice for blocking winds, as they stop strong and powerful gusts but still allow some air flow. Planting a row of bushes or trees with thick foliage alongside your fence can add to the level of noise and wind protection provided by your fence.

While tall and solid fences provide the best privacy they can also inhibit the once traditional chats with the neighbour. Smaller fences can help to increase the level of interaction.

Also consider any views from your yard or patios that may be blocked by your fence.

Timber

Timber is by far the most common material used in fencing, primarily due to its versatility and affordability. Softwoods such as cedar, redwood and treated pine are best for fence posts as they are more resistant to rot than other timbers.

Timber is available in many different grades, which vary in cost according to their quality and appearance. Some timber grades have a 'good' side and a 'bad' side which make it cheaper and can be used for fencing where the appearance does not matter so much on one side of the fence, but is important for the other.

If using a timber fence for sound insulation, palings can be attached on both sides of the rails.

Timber fences come in a range of styles including include picket, louvre, panel and lapped paling. They can be treated, painted, stained or left to age naturally, depending on the desired look and colour. The life of the timber can be increased by treatment against rot, insects, termites, and the elements.

Recycled timber is a great option for your fence. It helps save the environment as well as your bank balance; and gives your fence character. If using new timber, try to buy from suppliers who harvest from sustainable plantations.

Brick

Brick and cement fences are popular on more modern homes, and while they can be more costly than timber, if built properly, they can last many times longer. This is because they can withstand more force and pressure than other materials.

Be sure that brick or cement fences are erected on stable footings, as movement can cause unsightly cracks and structural problems.

Brick and cement fences can be solid brick or brick columns combined with sheet metal or timber. Colour choice is almost endless as they can be painted or have a stain put into the cement or render.

Steel

Steel and aluminium are lightweight but strong alternatives for fencing but they lack sound insulation properties. Steel and aluminium generally come in one of two varieties: large panels to be placed in between fence posts or narrow panels to be erected as vertical louvres. The louvre option allows for some air flow within your yard, but still blocks strong winds and provides some privacy.

When using steel or aluminium, it is essential that it is coated correctly to avoid corrosion and rust, and that any scratches or chips in the coating are repaired as soon as possible for the same reason. Steel or aluminium fences can be painted, but it is often a tedious task due to the surface preparation involved. However, recent innovation in steel fences, have meant that a wider range of colours and decorative features such as lattice work are now available.

Wire

Wire fences are generally used to define boundaries, rather than providing any of the benefits such as privacy, wind or sound protection. Depending on the height of the fence and pattern of the wire, it can help to keep pets in and intruders out.

Steel pole and wire fences are simple in appearance but not as common on domestic properties these days for functional reasons.

Gates

Gates generally need to match the style of the fence you choose. Consideration should be given to how the gate will open and whether it is on hinges or a track that rolls in behind the fence.

Also, keep in mind the materials used to hang your gate. Stainless or hot dipped galvanised steel should be used to avoid rust and corrosion, which can lead to the gate being difficult to open and could damage the material it is made from. Any fasteners used with treated pine products must be hot dipped galvanised.

Building a tall, solid fence for security purposes will be as good as useless if the gates you install don't have quality locks on them. These days many locking mechanisms are available, from the traditional latch to sophisticated electronic devices, which can be integrated into your home security system.