Compare fences
The initial decision to have a fence built is pretty
straightforward... you either need it or you don't. But which type
of fence will best suit your purpose and budget?
High Point Fence Company provides the following charts
to help you compare the various characteristics of each fence type:
- Direct comparison chart - Use this
chart to help you decide which type of fence you need based on
its function, average life, and cost.
- Wood fence information chart - If you decide
to build a wood fence, from which type of wood should it be constructed?
We'll show you the differences between treated pine, cypress,
and Western Red Cedar.
- Chain link fence - This table will
describe the components of your new chain link fence, whether
your needs are residential or commercial in application.
This table compares the different types of fences
head-to-head.
|
Characteristic
|
Wood
|
Chain Link
|
Vinyl
|
Aluminum
|
Wrought Iron
|
|
Average life of fence
|
20 years
|
30 years
|
Lifetime
|
Lifetime
|
Lifetime
|
|
Suggested maintenance
|
Sealing (annually)
|
Painting
(after 20 years)
|
Washing
|
Washing
|
Washing;
Painting every 15 years
|
|
Cost to build
|
$$
|
$
|
$$$
|
$$$$
|
$$$$$
|
|
Level of security
|
Medium
|
Medium to High
|
Medium to High
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
|
Level of privacy
|
Semi-private to full privacy
|
Semi-private to partial privacy
|
Semi-private to full privacy
|
Semi-private
|
Semi-private
|
|
Application
|
Residential to light commercial
|
Residential to heavy industrial
|
Residential to light commercial
|
Residential to light commercial
|
Residential
|
|
Characteristic
|
Treated Pine
|
Cypress
|
Western Red Cedar
|
|
Origin of wood
|
Chile
|
Florida
|
Western US States
|
|
Board thickness and life expectancy
(against insects and rot; does not account
for cracking)
|
3/4" - 50 years
18 mm - 20 years
5/8" (16 mm) - 20 yr.
|
3/4"
20 years
|
5/8"
20 years
|
|
Width of fence panels
|
No more than
8 feet on center
|
No more
than 8 feet
on center
|
No more than 8 feet on center
|
|
Chemical treatment
|
Pressure treated against insects and rot.
Posts treated at 0.040 for ground contact;
boards treated at 0.025. Wash hands after contact.
|
Mildew prevention only
No danger to kids or pets
|
None
Safe for kids and pets
|
|
Tendency to warp
(ranked 1-10, with 10 being the worst)
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
|
Cost to build
|
$ - 16 or 18 mm
$$ - 3/4" thick
|
$$
|
$$$
|
|
Natural fence color after aging in weather
|
gray with greenish overtones
|
gray
|
gray
|
|
OK to paint?
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
OK to stain?
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Characteristic
|
Residential Application
|
Commercial Application
|
|
Types/colors available
|
Galvanized
Brown
Black
Green
|
Galvanized
Brown
Black
Green
|
|
Width of fence panels
|
No more than 10 feet on center
|
No more than 10 feet on center
|
|
Available fence height
|
4 to 6 feet tall
|
6 to 20 feet tall
|
|
Available accessories
|
Gate operators
|
Fence may be topped with barbed wire or concertina
wire for added security.
Gate operators.
|
|
Available post weights
|
.047
.055
.065
|
SS20
Schedule 40
|
|
Diameter of line posts
|
4 or 5 ft. - 1 5/8"
6 foot fence - 2"
|
2" or 2.5"
|
|
Diameter of top rails
|
4 or 5 ft. - 1 3/8"
6 foot fence - 1 5/8"
|
1 5/8" or
tension wire
|
|
Diameter of terminal posts
(end, corner, & gate posts)
|
2.5"
|
2.5" up to 8 5/8"
|
|
Available mesh
|
2 1/4" mesh
2 3/8" mesh
|
2 1/4" mesh
2 3/8" mesh
2" mesh
Smaller sizes available
|
|
Available thickness of chain link wire
|
11.5 gauge
|
9 gauge
6 gauge
|
|
Cost to build
|
$
|
$$
|
|
OK to paint?
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
If you'd like to speak with any of our satisfied
customers, please e-mail
or give us a call at 336-861-9058 (office) or 336-687-8030 (cell phone) so we can help you contact them for a direct reference.
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