Interesting Wooden Fence Designs for Homes in Manassas, VA
The Beauty of Wooden Fences
Wooden fences in Manassas, VA, add curb appeal to your home. Any fence, even vinyl and aluminum, can keep kids and pets in your yard and define your property’s boundaries. But wood adds more. Its rustic look adds an aesthetic note, making a statement about your appreciation of natural materials.
Did you know that homeowners constructed over 50,000 miles of wooden fences in Manassas, VA, and all over the country each year? That’s a lot of wood!
Here are some of the reasons it is so popular and the choices you have when it comes to installing a wood fence at your home or business in Manassas, VA.
Hal Co is a reputable fence contractor serving Manassas, VA residents for over 30 years. We offer:
- Quality design, selection, installation and related services for your wood fence in Manassas, VA following the highest safety procedures and industry standards.
- In partnership, we will evaluate your fence project requirements and develop a comprehensive installation plan.
- Personalized customer service before, during and after installing your wood fence in Manassas, VA to minimize your disruption and maximize your comfort.
Why Choose Wood?
Wooden fences in Manassas, VA, are not heavy and in the low- to mid-range when it comes to cost. Of course, a chain link fence is even less expensive and lighter. But wood adds more: it has charm and gives the owner a choice of designs.
Wooden fences in Manassas, VA, come in a wide range of styles. Whether you want the individual touch of crisscrossing lattice or basic vertical slats, wood fences have character. You can customize them with a variety of post-cap designs and by adding color. Stain it to make it blend it with the landscaping. Or paint it in bright colors to make it stand out.
The Cost of Wooden Fences
Wooden fences in Manassas, VA, are usually less expensive than vinyl and ornamental materials. But the prices per linear foot can vary tremendously, depending on the species of wood you choose and the style. The cost ranges from $3 to $75 a linear foot uninstalled. For a privacy fence, which is usually six feet high, the cost is $4 to $100.
For example, if you choose a South American wood like Ipe or Tigerwood, the price goes up significantly. These exotic species are very dense and durable, but the upfront investment can be considerable. If you choose North American species like pine or red cedar, your costs are much less.
Most wooden fences in Manassas, VA, last about 20 years, when you invest in wood that is rot-resistant. Red cedar has natural properties that resist pests and water damage. White pine and other species need to be treated to make them more resistant.
A wooden fence needs regular maintenance to last 20 years. That includes waterproofing annually. If you choose transparent stains, it needs to be refreshed every three or four years. If you choose stains in a solid color, the work should be done every five to seven years.
A Closer Look at Types of Wood
Here is a closer look at 7 species of wood that are commonly used for fences in the U.S.
Southern Yellow Pine. This is the least expensive choice. It needs to be treated to make it resist the effects of insects and rot, and also to remove the sap.
Douglas Fir. This is a softwood that comes from the Pacific Northwest. It has a certain natural level of resistance to rot, but not as much as red cedar and redwood. It is considered a stable wood, one that is sap-free and has an attractive vertical grain.
Redwood. This is a premium grade of softwood, which is both free of sap and stable. It is a more expensive choice.
Eastern White Cedar. This species is common in areas from New England to Minnesota. It is known for tight knots and is free of sap and stable.
Cypress. This comes from southern swampy areas. It is tan in color and has tight, small knots in the wood. A close relative of redwood, it is free of sap and is stable.
Western Red Cedar. Grown in the Pacific Northwest, this wood is considered superior in terms of resistance to insects and other pests and to rot. It is stable and free of sap.
If you are offered whitewood for a fence, beware. The term is applied to a range of species like spruce, fir, and pine, all of them considered inferior for use in fences. They last less than half as long as the other woods listed above. They definitely need to be treated for resistance to insects and rot.
Most Common Types of Wooden Fences
There are five principle types of wooden fences in Manassas, VA. Here is a description of each.
Picket. Picket fences are the ultimate all-American fence. They are short, usually no more than three or four feet high. The tops of each vertical board have a pointy top, which is how the fence got its name. One practical effect of the points is that they limit how much climbing children and pets do. This is not for a privacy fence, but it does well to mark boundaries. These fences are usually found in the front yard, around gardens and pools.
Vertical Board. Fences made with vertical boards are the best way to ensure privacy. They can overlap or abut each other edge to edge. This type of fence also makes a good wind break and provides a certain amount of noise protection.
Louver. Louver fences have vertically staggered boards. This lets air through while giving you privacy. This type is often used around patios, decks, and pools.
Lattice. Lattice fences have crisscrossing strips. They make it hard to see in, but let air and light to freely pass back and forth. They work well for climbing plants and are often found around gardens, pools, patios, and decks.
Post and Rail and Split Rail. This is the ultimate rustic fence. It works well for marking boundaries and enclosing fields. Sometimes called paddock fences, they have vertical posts and two, three or four horizontal rails. On ranches, this type of fence is often whitewashed or painted white.
Interesting Designs for Wooden Fences
Wood is a versatile material. You can design just about any shape for wooden fences, making them one of the most flexible of all choices. Here is a look at several unusual designs that can add individuality to your wooden fences in Manassas, VA.
Roof Your Privacy Fence. Privacy fences are usually five to six feet tall. They are meant to keep prying eyes out of your yard, as well as make it more secure. One way to jazz up the standard vertical panels is by adding a roof structure to the vertical panels. This gives your fence an Asian look. It also helps to protect the tops of the posts from rain and harsh weather conditions.
Wall Topper. Do you have a sloping yard with a stone wall to hold the earth in? Topping it with white picket wooden fences in Manassas, VA, is one way to add visual interest. The uniform pickets on top of the mix of stones that make up the wall make for a pleasing contrast. It is wise to put steel pipes anchored into the stone, then fit the posts over them. This adds stability.
Crossbuck. If you don’t need a privacy fence, but want to mark your property line, a crossbuck style adds a classic, rustic note to your yard. The style is a set of Xs between the top rail and bottom. Added a ball shape at the center of the X, then repeating this in the post cap, draws it all together.
Basket weave. This style creates shadow lines as the horizontal boards weave in and out of vertical posts. The weave looks like the design of an old wooden basket. This is a complicated design to build, so it is more expensive.
Hal Co, the Fence Experts
When it’s time to build wooden fences in Manassas, VA, residents choose Hal Co, a local company that has been serving the community for over three decades. Our team can design and install any type of fence, commercial and residential. We use a wide range of materials, including wood, vinyl, chain link, aluminum, ornamental and steel.
Over the last 30 years, the team here at Hal Co has earned a reputation for quality craftsmanship, superior materials, and competitive pricing. We provide excellent customer service and meet their deadlines. Our company takes pride in keeping the customer fully informed of costs and target dates. When you work with us, there are never any unwelcome surprises.
Hal Co handles a variety of outdoor projects, for homes and businesses, including:
- Wooden fences
- PVC vinyl fencing
- Eco-friendly, pressure-treated materials
- Composite fencing
- Ornamental and steel fencing
- Split rail fencing
- Chain link fencing
- Cedar fencing
- Fencing for special events
- Fencing for athletic fields
- Fencing for access control
- Kennel fencing
- Perimeter fencing
- Security and safety fencing
- Composite decks
- Pressure-treated pine decks
- Screened porches
- Porticos
- Roofing
Call the experts at Hal Co today for a free, no-obligation quote for your fence or other project.