Nature is always going to do its thing, but it sure would be nice if it left our fences out of it. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that you can protect your garden fencing against the brutality of nature and ensure that your fencing remains intact. In this comprehensive guide to windproof fencing, we'll break down the best types of fences for wind resistance as well as what to do if yours has blown down.
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Windproof fencing needs to allow for wind to pass through it with ease. Fence designs that incorporate gaps allow for wind to disperse through them, thus reducing the pressure put upon the panels.
Lattice or trellis fencing is made up of latticed (crisscrossed) panels that build a semi-open partition, often used to support vines or climbing plants. These gaps allow for wind to pass through and make for a strong fencing type when it comes to wind resistance.
Lattice fences come in a variety of designs, but it's worth noting that the bigger the gaps are, the less wind resistance it will provide. If you're concerned about privacy, you can train climbing plants to partially conceal the gaps in your lattice fence.
Picket fencing is comprised of spaced vertical panels or pales, fixed along two horizontal rails on the reverse. As with other semi-open fence designs, this allows wind to pass through with limited force against the panels.
The large gaps and short vertical height of picket fencing make it an ideal choice for windy areas, however, these same features mean that it offers limited privacy and security.
Hit & Miss fencing uses boards that are positioned on both the front and back of the fence in alternating fashion. This makes it particularly good at wind resistance due to the fact that the structural design is evenly weighted across both sides of the fence.
The benefit of hit-and-miss panelling is that it provides wind resistance whilst still maintaining privacy, due to the fact that the alternating panels.
Slatted fencing is also considered a strong fencing type when it comes to wind resistance, using horizontal slatted boards spaced apart so as to have visible gaps in between.
Slatted fencing comes in a variety of designs, from Louvre slatting, where angled slats are positioned in overlapping rows (much like Louvre blinds) to Venetian slatting, where the wooden boards are laid flat in distinct rows. These offer a range provide privacy whilst still allowing for airflow.
Metal fencing, usually made from steel or aluminium, can be stronger and more durable than many other fencing materials. It can withstand higher wind forces without bending or breaking, making it a good choice for areas that are particularly wind-prone.
Wire mesh and chain-link/cyclone metal fences are particularly good at wind resistance, but there's no denying that they look more suited to industrial areas and sports pitches than they do residential homes.
There are, however, more aesthetically pleasing design alternatives when it comes to metal fencing, such as those featuring thick metal slats (often coloured black), which give a more modern appearance to your garden. It's still important to choose designs that allow for wind to pass through, even when using metal as a material.
Vinyl fences are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) material, which offers strength and durability.
The flexibility of PVC allows the fence to absorb and distribute the force of strong winds, reducing the risk of damage or breakage. Unlike wood, vinyl doesn't absorb moisture, meaning that it's less prone to water damage which can make a fence more susceptible to wind damage.
However, PVC is considered incredibly harmful to the environment as it produces hazardous byproducts during production and is made using fossil fuels. It's also not biodegradable, so if sustainability is important to you this may not be the right option.
However, just like other materials, the best vinyl fences for wind resistance are those that incorporate open designs, such as slatted and picket.
Whichever type you choose, it's important that you source strong fencing posts from a reputable supplier who can provide you with a reliable guarantee.
Similarly to tongue and groove fence panels, slotted posts work by enabling the fence panels to interlock into the post, which provides extra stability and support.
They're lighter and easier to install than concrete posts, and typically made from pressure-treated timber, which offers a more natural appearance and is the most sustainable option when it comes to fence posts. However, they do require more maintenance and can be prone to wear and tear.
If you're looking for a long lasting, high-quality material for your fence posts, we recommend buying UC4-treated timber, which offers particularly strong protection against decay and moisture-damage.
Concrete fence posts are highly durable and can withstand all sorts of movement and pressure from the elements. Many concrete fence posts even come with steel reinforcing bars fitted inside the post, so if you're looking for something that requires minimal upkeep whilst withstanding extremes of weather, concrete fence posts may be for you.
However, it should be noted that concrete fence posts aren't impenetrable, and if they crack or chip, this may allow moisture to seep into the interior and lead to gradual post failure.
Though generally less popular than timber and concrete, you can also opt for steel fence posts, which also offer strong durability and wind resistance.
Typically made from galvanised steel and finished with a powdered coat, these types of fence posts can last up to 50 years. In contrast, concrete is said to last up to 20 years, and woods like timber tend to have a lifespan of between 10-15 years or 20-30 years with post rot protection. Steel fence posts won't crack or chip like concrete, though over time, they can be prone to rust, especially if they're not galvanised.
If your garden is particularly prone to exposure to the elements, there are some extra precautions that you need to consider. It's worth considering hiring a local fencing contractor to help you install your fence for maxmium reliability.
It's generally recommended that you have 2ft (60cm) of your fence post buried beneath the ground to ensure efficient stability. However, if the wind is a particular concern in your area, then you should secure your posts a little deeper than this for extra protection (up to half the total length of the fence post). Digging such deep, narrow holes can be a pain, but Postsaver Post Hole Digger is designed specifically for posts of a 6-inch diameter, allowing you to remove exactly what you need with limited backfill.
It's also a good idea to keep the space between your fence posts to a minimum if your garden is particularly prone to gale-force winds. Between 4-6 feet is ideal if your garden and panelling allow for it.
Whilst you may see recommendations to anchor in your posts using concrete for extra stability, there are also post-fixing foams that can do just as good a job without the faff and heavy lifting that concrete involves. Postsaver Pro-Set Post Fixing Foam offers the same lateral load strength as concrete and hardens to a full load strength in just 90 minutes, meaning you can secure your fences in record time and rest assured that they'll stay in place.
However, if your fencing is fixed on top of solid ground (such as concrete) rather than soil, then you can secure your posts with a fence post support such as a bolt-down shoe. This way of securing posts means that there is no foundational support beneath the ground, so it's crucial that you use quality equipment and secure them to a professional standard.
Gravel boards can also help to provide an extra layer of stability against wind and seasonal movements. These concrete or wooden boards sit in between your fence panels and the ground beneath, which also helps to protect your fence panels from moisture damage and rot caused by direct contact with the wet ground.
It's important to cut holes in your gravel boards to allow wildlife such as hedgehogs to roam freely and travel between gardens. You can fix these wildlife corridors with frames such as our Hedgehog Highway, which add a creative flare to your garden whilst helping to support local wildlife.
Loose and wobbly fence posts can threaten the structural integrity of your entire fence and make it particularly vulnerable to wind damage.
To fix this issue, you first need to identify the point of weakness in your fence post. Can you see signs of rot in your post? Or perhaps a piece of hardware such as a bolt or nail has come loose? It could also be loose soil in the ground, or that your fixing foam or concrete is no longer anchoring your post efficiently.
Even if the damage seems minimal, these small points of failure have a tendency to snowball into larger problems that can cause your whole fence to come loose or fall down. It's important that you catch these issues early so that you can reinforce your fence and ensure that it retains its structural stability.
If your issue is post-rot, you may have no other choice but to replace the post. When you purchase your new post, it's important to consider how you can avoid post-rot in the future.
Postsaver Post Rot Protection is a reliable way to protect your fence posts against ground-line rot and decay, creating a barrier that stops moisture from penetrating the post.
If the fence post itself shows no sign of damage, the issue could be with the anchoring of your post in the ground. If your post is fixed in soil or soft ground, you may simply need to dig around the post and re-apply fixing foam or concrete to secure it in place.
Use a post spirit level to straighten your post into the right position before you secure it in place.
If your fence has already succumbed to high winds and you're wondering how to go about repairing it, there are some important things to consider. For more advice, visit our page on Fence Repair Following High Winds.
Most building and home insurance policies will cover some level of protection against damaged garden structures such as gates, fences and sheds. Generally, these policies will cover the cost of repairs required from unexpected events like fire and vandalism, however, damage from high winds and storms is often not included.
If you are lucky enough to have a policy that includes fence damage caused by storms/extreme weather, you'll have to make sure that your fencing is properly maintained for your claim to be accepted. It's always best to check the details of your plan with your specific insurance provider and to keep hold of any receipts of items you may need to use in your claim.
Nowadays, most suppliers will also offer guarantees or warranties for the fencing that you purchase from them. These typically mean that if your fence or post is damaged due to a design and manufacturing defect, the supplier will replace the item free of charge. If you believe that your fencing has been damaged due to a design or manufacturing defect, get in touch with your supplier.
If your fence is salvageable and has simply come loose during high winds, you can repair the damaged areas and secure it back in place.
Replace any broken panels or boards and reattach any displaced components. Use screws instead of nails where possible to ensure that they stay in place in the future, and tighten any existing screws that may have come loose. Once you have your fence back in place, it's a good idea to re-treat your posts and panels to protect them from future water damage.
You can purchase concrete or metal post repair spurs, which provide a solution to posts that have succumbed to rot at the base. These are short posts that bolt into your post and anchor into the ground next to it. These may be ideal if you're planning to replace your fence in the future but want to ensure that it stays intact until you get around to it.
If your fence is generally pretty sturdy but you're just anxious about an upcoming storm or hurricane, there are a few precautions that you can take to secure your fence in preparation for high winds.
Firstly, you want to take some measures that will avoid objects blowing into your fence and causing damage or prompting it to blow over itself. Trim any large branches that overhang your garden, and secure garden furniture and features (that you can't store elsewhere) with sandbags.
Make sure any gates are securely locked as strong winds will likely blow them open if they're left unlocked, which could cause damage to the hinges and or the fence, and could even blow them off their hinges entirely.
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You can also install drop rods or drop bolts to the bottom of your gate to add stability and reduce the stress on the hinges.
Hurricane straps, also known as hurricane ties or hurricane clips, are designed to reinforce the connections between fence posts and panels. They are usually made using galvanized steel or other corrosion-resistant materials and are effective at preventing the fence from being easily lifted or blown over by strong winds.
Windbreak netting, also called wind protection netting or wind mesh, is a specialised fabric that can significantly reduce the impact of strong winds on crops, plants, and structures. Good windbreak netting can reduce the impact of wind by between 30% to 50%.
Windbreak netting consists of a knitted mesh design made from heavy-duty plastic or polyester fabrics that provide high-tensile strength. This type of windbreak fence style is often used to create a wind barrier in agricultural fencing in order to crops and livestock from damage in wind-prone areas.
This varies depending on who you ask, but it's generally agreed that the strongest fence styles are those that incorporate a semi-open design that allows the wind to pass through. Metal chain-link fencing is also called hurricane fencing, which gives you some idea of its reputation as a strong fencing type against wind resistance, whilst vinyl fences are also commonly noted as a particularly strong fencing style due to their flexibility.
The amount of wind that a fence can withstand depends on several factors, including the design, materials, height, and the specific wind conditions of the area. As a general estimate however, some wood fences can withstand up to 60mph, vinyl fences up to 80mph and some metal fences can brace hurricanes and still remain intact.
Composite fencing generally offers a fair amount of wind resistance due to its combination of wood fibres and recycled plastic that make for a durable and sturdy material. It's considered resistant to rotting, splintering, and moisture damage, which can weaken a fence over time. The durability of composite materials contributes to their ability to withstand wind forces, however, as most composite fencing is designed as solid panels without gaps, this can make it more prone to pressure from high winds.
When you're shopping around for fencing materials, you may see these terms thrown about a lot. Wind-proof refers to structures that are impenetrable to wind, no matter how strong the winds are. Wind-resistant means that a structure can withstand wind to a superior level, but will still allow wind to pass through.
So there you have it - everything you need to know when it comes to windproof fencing! None of us want the hassle and costs of having to repair or replace a blown-down fence, but sometimes mother nature gets the better of us. Luckily, there are things that you can do to amend your garden fence when things go wrong, as well as ways to protect against damage occurring in the future. Prevention is better than cure, as they say, so it's always a good idea to regularly inspect and maintain your garden fence, as well as repair any damages promptly to prolong its lifespan.
Good ranch fencing isn&#;t just a luxury &#; it&#;s the backbone of your operation. It&#;s what keeps your prized cattle from wandering onto the neighbor&#;s land, your horses safe in their pastures, and your property secure from unwanted visitors.
But here&#;s the thing: not all ranch fences are created equal. The right fence can save you countless hours of maintenance, thousands in repairs, and a whole lot of headaches down the road. It&#;s an investment: plain and simple. One that pays dividends in peace of mind and operational efficiency.
We&#;ve seen ranches transformed by proper fencing. From increased property value to improved horse management, the benefits are clear as day. But it&#;s not just about function &#; a well-designed fence can be the crown jewel of your ranch, setting the tone for your entire property.
In this guide, we&#;re going to walk you through everything you need to know about choosing the right fence for your ranch.
Ranch Fencing Basics
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You might think fencing is just about keeping things in or out, but it&#;s a whole lot more than that. Good ranch fencing works around the clock, rain or shine, to keep your ranch running smooth.
First off, it&#;s about protection. Your livestock &#; whether it&#;s cattle, horses, or sheep &#; they&#;re not just animals, they&#;re your livelihood. A solid fence keeps them safe from predators and prevents them from wandering off where they shouldn&#;t. It&#;s also about legal protection for you. In many places, if your animals get out and cause damage, you&#;re on the hook. Good fencing is good insurance.
But it doesn&#;t stop there. Proper fencing lets you control your horses playgrounds, arenas, and living areas. Let&#;s not forget about defining your property lines. In ranch country, good fences make good neighbors &#; and that&#;s not just a saying; it&#;s the truth.
Common types of ranch fences
Ranch rail fence
The ranch rail fence is as iconic as a cowboy hat on the open range. It&#;s what most folks picture when they think &#;ranch.&#; Traditionally made of wood, these fences typically have two to four horizontal rails attached to vertical posts. They&#;re simple, they&#;re sturdy, and they look damn good.
Wood&#;s the classic choice here &#; cedar, pine, or treated lumber depending on your location. But these days, the go-to choice for ranch rail fences made to last come in steel board designed to mimic the wood look. They&#;re great for horses and cattle, and they give your property that quintessential ranch feel.
Metal ranch fence
Now, if you&#;re looking for something that&#;ll outlast your great-grandkids, metal ranch fencing is where it&#;s at. These fences are tough as nails and require minimal maintenance.
You&#;ve got options with metal. There&#;s pipe fencing, which uses metal tubes for both posts and rails. It&#;s incredibly strong and perfect for containing larger livestock. Then there&#;s wire fencing &#; from traditional barbed wire to modern high-tensile electric fences. These are cost-effective ways to enclose large areas.
However, nothing beats steel board fencing. It gives you the look of a traditional ranch rail fence with the durability of metal. It&#;s a game-changer for those who want the best of both worlds.
Other popular options
Of course, ranch fencing isn&#;t a one-size-fits-all deal. Depending on your specific needs, you might consider a few other options:
Great for smaller animals like sheep or goats. It&#;s also handy for keeping predators out.
These are less common, but boy, do they make a statement. They&#;re typically used for entrance areas or to enclose smaller spaces.
Sometimes, the best solution is a mix. You might use pipe fencing for your corral and pastures, but opt for a decorative wood or metal fence along your property entrance.
Remember, the right fence for your ranch depends on your specific needs, your budget, and yes, even your personal style. It&#;s about finding that sweet spot between function and form.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Ranch Fence
Let&#;s look at the factors you need to weigh when picking out your ranch fence options. This is where the rubber meets the road.
1. Property Size and Terrain
First things first &#; you&#;ve got to look at what you&#;re working with. The size of your spread and the lay of your land are going to play a big role in your fencing decision.
If you&#;re fencing in a thousand acres of rolling hills, you&#;re going to need a different approach than someone enclosing a 20-acre horse property. Larger properties often call for more economical options like high-tensile wire fencing. It&#;ll give you the most bang for your buck when you&#;re covering long distances.
Now, let&#;s talk about terrain. If your land&#;s flatter than a pancake, you&#;ve got it easy. But if you&#;re dealing with hills, gullies, or wooded areas, you&#;ll need to think about visibility and erosion control. In rough terrain, a pipe fence or steel board fence might be your best bet. They&#;re sturdy enough to handle the strain and visible enough to keep your stock from trying to push through.
2. Types of Livestock or Animals
Here&#;s where you need to think like your animals. Different critters have different fencing needs:
They&#;re big and strong, so you need something sturdy. A five or six-strand barbed wire fence, or a solid pipe fence, will usually do the trick.
These are flight animals, so visibility is key. Ranch rail fences or pipe fences work well. Stay away from barbed wire &#; it&#;s a recipe for disaster with horses.
These little escape artists need woven wire fencing or electric fencing to keep them where they belong.
If you&#;re running elk, bison, or other exotics, you&#;ll need tall, extra-strong fencing. We&#;re talking 8-foot-high game fencing at minimum.
Remember, it&#;s not just about keeping your animals in &#; it&#;s about keeping predators out. too. If you&#;ve got coyotes or other predators in your area, that&#;s another factor to consider.
3. Climate and Weather Conditions
Mother Nature can be your fence&#;s worst enemy if you&#;re not prepared. Your local weather patterns should influence your choice:
In open, windy areas, you might want to consider a fence with some give, like a high-tensile wire fence.
If you&#;re in snow country, think about how you&#;ll clear your fence line. A steel board fence might be easier to work around than a wooden rail fence.
In hot, humid climates
, wood can warp and metal can rust. You might want to look at vinyl fencing or specially treated metal boards (like the Buckley Steel Board Fence).
If wildfires are a concern, metal fencing is your safest bet. It won&#;t add fuel to the fire like a wooden fence would.
4. Maintenance Requirements
None of us got into ranching because we love fixing fences. But maintenance is a fact of life, so you need to think about how much time you&#;re willing to spend on upkeep:
They look great, but they&#;ll need regular staining or painting to protect against the elements. You&#;ll also need to replace boards or posts as they age.
Generally low maintenance, but they may need occasional painting to prevent rust, depending on the type of metal.
A power wash now and then is usually all they need, but intense weather swings can sometimes cause them to crack and break.
You&#;ll need to check the tension regularly and repair any breaks promptly.
The classic look of wood with the durability of steel. Unlike wood, they won&#;t rot, warp, or need painting. And unlike traditional metal fences, they&#;re designed to withstand the elements without rusting.
5. Budget Considerations
Nobody likes talking about money. But your budget is going to play a big role in your fencing decision. Here&#;s the thing: fencing is an investment. Cheap out now, and you&#;ll pay for it later in repairs and replacements.
That said, you&#;ve got to work with what you&#;ve got. If you&#;re fencing a large area on a tight budget, wire fencing might be your best option. If you&#;ve got more to spend, you might consider pipe fencing or premium wood or vinyl options.
However, when it comes to long-term investment&#;it doesn&#;t get better than a steel board fence. It lasts the longest and has the lowest maintenance requirements. Yes, it&#;ll cost a bit more upfront, but it pays dividends weeks, months, years, and decades down the road.
Ranch Fencing Maintenance and Longevity
Your fence is only as good as how long it lasts and how well it does its job. Each type of fence has its own set of needs, kind of like how different breeds of cattle need different care. Let&#;s break it down:
Wood Fences
These beauties need the most TLC. Think of them like a prized stallion &#; high maintenance, but worth it if you&#;ve got the time (and money).
Inspect regularly for rot, especially where the posts meet the ground.
Restain or repaint every few years to protect against weather damage.
Tighten loose boards and replace any that are beyond repair.
Watch out for termites and treat as needed.
Metal Fences
These are your workhorses &#; tough, but not invincible.
Check for rust spots and address them promptly. A wire brush and some rust-resistant paint can work wonders.
Tighten any loose bolts or connections.
If it&#;s painted, touch up as needed to prevent corrosion.
Wire Fences
Think of these like a good lariat &#; they need to stay tight to do their job.
Walk the fence line regularly to check for loose or broken wires.
Keep the tension right &#; not too tight, not too loose.
Clear away any vegetation that might be putting pressure on the fence.
Steel Board Fences
These are like your best ranch hand &#; reliable and low maintenance.
Occasionally hose them down to keep them looking sharp.
Check for any damage from impacts (like if a tree branch fell on it).
Double-check all connections are secure.
Extending the Life of Your Ranch Fence
Now, here&#;s where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure:
Make fence checks part of your routine. A quick ride along the fence line can catch small issues before they become big problems.
When you spot an issue, fix it fast. A loose board today could be a broken fence and loose cattle tomorrow.
Keep plants and trees away from your fence. They can push fences over time and trap moisture against wood or metal.
Make sure water doesn&#;t pool around your fence posts. Standing water is the enemy of longevity.
It&#;s worth spending a bit more upfront for materials that&#;ll stand the test of time. Cheap fencing is often a false economy.
A fence is only as good as its installation
. If you&#;re not confident in your skills, it&#;s worth hiring pros to do it right the first time.
When to Repair vs. Replace
This is always a tough call, kind of like deciding when to retire an old pony. Here are some guidelines:
Repair when:
The damage is localized and the rest of the fence is in good shape.
Replacing a few boards or tightening some wire will solve the problem.
The fence is relatively new and the issue is due to a specific incident (like a tree falling on it).
Replace when:
Repairs are needed constantly and it&#;s becoming a money pit.
The fence has reached the end of its expected lifespan (15-20 years for wood, 20-30 for metal).
There&#;s widespread rot, rust, or structural issues.
Your needs have changed and the current fence no longer serves its purpose.
Remember, a good fence is an investment in your property. It&#;s not just about keeping your stock in &#; it&#;s about safety, security, and the overall value of your ranch. Proper maintenance isn&#;t just about saving money in the long run (though it certainly does that). It&#;s about peace of mind, knowing that your property is secure and your animals are safe.
Treat your fence right, and it&#;ll serve you well for years to come. Neglect it, and you might find yourself with a bigger headache down the road. In ranching, as in life, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Keep your fences strong, and they&#;ll keep your ranch strong.
Choose the Right Ranch Fencing Partner
We&#;ve covered a lot of ground here, from wood to wire and everything in between. When it comes to combining strength, beauty, and longevity for your ranch, especially if you&#;ve got horses, there&#;s one option that stands head and shoulders above the rest: steel board fencing from Buckley Fence.
Here&#;s why partnering with Buckley for your ranch fencing needs is a decision you won&#;t regret:
Our steel board fences are built to last. They won&#;t rot, warp, or splinter like wood. They&#;re stronger than vinyl and more visible than wire. This means less time mending fences and more time doing what you love.
If you&#;ve got equines, you know they can find trouble faster than a coyote finds a hen house. Buckley&#;s steel board fencing is designed with horse safety in mind. No sharp edges, no risk of splintering, and high visibility to prevent accidents.
Remember what we said about maintenance earlier? With Buckley&#;s steel board fencing, you can cross most of that off your list. A quick hose down now and then is all it takes to keep it looking sharp.
Our fences don&#;t just work hard &#; they look good doing it. The clean lines and sleek appearance of our steel board fencing will enhance your property&#;s value and curb appeal for years to come.
Yes, steel board fencing might cost more upfront than some other options. But when you factor in its longevity, low maintenance, and the value it adds to your property, it&#;s an investment that pays for itself.
Choose a solution that&#;s going to stand the test of time, and a partner who understands the unique needs of your ranch. Choose Buckley Fence.
Ready to take the next step? Give us a call.
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