I recently bought a coastal home and will be moving in soon. While I was viewing the house, I noticed that there was no fence around the property, and I would like it to be more private and secure. Before I move in, I would like to have it fenced off. Now I just need to find the best fencing for coastal areas.
After some thorough research and with the help of experts, I found that when it comes to the best fencing for coastal areas, vinyl fencing is one of your best options to go with. Vinyl fencing doesn’t require much maintenance, and this material is protected from the humidity and coastal conditions.
When I started my research on what fencing will be my best option for a coastal area, I spoke to fencing experts, and for more extensive research, I turned to the internet for extra options. Although I was advised that vinyl fencing would be my best option, I researched other options that I will share in this post.
What Is The Best Fencing For Coastal Areas?
When thinking of fencing and looking at the best option for your needs, it can sometimes be very overwhelming. Specifically, considering things like the cost of fencing and installations can all influence your decision.
But with the correct advice and assistance, if you have the budget for it, you can get what you are looking for without making it hard on yourself.
Experts recommend that vinyl fencing is the best option for coastal areas, but we will explore other options in the sections below that might also be good for fencing in coastal areas.
Why Is Vinyl Fencing Suggested The Best For Coastal Areas?
Vinyl fencing is probably the best option for fencing in a coastal area. American-made modern vinyl fencing is thought to be the best type of fencing for a coastal area, and this is why.
Vinyl does not get affected by weather conditions, and it is known for its antifungal and anti-mold properties, meaning it won’t rot like wood fencing might. Vinyl fencing also won’t buckle and is not prone to breakage. Built-in impact inhibitors will strengthen the materials against the severest weather conditions.
Other Types Of Fencing That Can Be Good For Coastal Areas
There is more than one type of fencing suitable for coastal regions; although vinyl seems to be the one highest recommended fencing for coastal areas, it is not the only kind that can withstand the coastal conditions.
The best fencing for coastal areas has to withstand salt, sand, severe weather conditions, and other wear and tear problems that might arise because these issues can have a significant effect on the materials in a coastal area.
Finding the best option can sometimes be challenging; you will just have to find the option that suits you the best, is resistant to severe conditions, and suits your budget. The next section will look at different fencing materials and if they are suited to coastal areas.
Metal Fence For A Coastal Area
Considering a metal fence can be a good idea, but this type of fencing will need regular maintenance and upkeep, such as paints or sealants to keep it in good condition, and it will last longer. The metal fence is strong enough to withstand high winds. Because metal is such a strong material, it holds up well in severe storms.
Are Metal Fences Recommended For Coastal Areas?
Metal fences aren’t recommended in coastal areas because iron cannot stand the salty air, is prone to metal erosion, and can easily rust if it gets slightly scratched or damaged. When rust damage isn’t immediately taken care of, you can get major damage.
If You To Use Metal Fencing In A Coastal Area
When installing a metal fence in the coastal area, it is recommended that you wash the fence with fresh water at least once every 30 days to remove the salt from ocean water. It will help keep the fence as salt-free as possible, which helps prevent it from rusting.
Stainless steel and aluminum are good options considering metal fencing as it is the only types that don’t easily rust and will handle the ocean conditions better than most metals.
Cedar, Teak, And Redwood Fences At The Coastal Area
Cedar, Teak, and redwood are in high demand to use as fencing for coastal areas. Cedar, Teak, and Redwood have a strong resistance against the humid coastal air and other weather conditions. With the correct care and proper maintenance, they can be long-lasting.
Are Wooden Fences Recommended For Coastal Areas?
All three types of wood are naturally moisture resistant, as they all have natural oils that help protect the wood against mold, fungal infection, and bug infestation. That being said, you will need to take extra precautionary measures that will help guard and protect against salt, sand, or even the sun.
If You Choose Wooden Fences For Coastal Areas
If you choose wooden fencing, they need to be cleaned regularly and sealed, stained or varnished between two or three times a year to prevent wear from the coastal conditions that can make the fence fragile or vulnerable.
According to experts, wood fences can become a costly form of fencing where maintenance is concerned. It needs regular staining, vanishing, or painting depending on the look you want and often exceeds $100 per gallon depending on the product you use.
The high maintenance of wood fencing is why many people steer away from these types of fences. There is also a stigma that wood fences can block your view of the ocean, and if you want to preserve the ocean view, metal and low vinyl fences are known to be the better option.
Unusual Forms Of Coastal Fencing
If a fenced area is important to you and none of the fencing options available today suits you or a method of fencing that you are interested in, whether it is financial or personal reasons for not liking the fences, then maybe the following methods might interest you.
Pallet Wood fencing
If you like DIY projects and a fence that can still have a natural look and won’t cost you too much in setup cost, then pallet wood fencing might be an option that can interest you. Although it will also cost you to vanish the pallet wood, it is a less expensive alternative to go with.
Split Rail Fencing
Not a type of fencing typically found in the coastal areas, but it is also an option to consider. Split rail fences are mostly seen in agricultural settings on farms or ranches, but with enough effort, they can also be good-looking, especially if you like the rustic feel that rail fences offer.
If you are just looking for a fence that can mark off the boundaries of your property, then it is something to think about, and it will also not cost you an arm or a leg. It can be a DIY project if it interests you, and you can also vanish the wood for extra protection.
Bamboo Fences
Bamboo fencing also offers a very natural feel, and depending on what you like, it can make a great form of fencing. Bamboo can also withstand the weather conditions that coastal areas have to offer.
For areas with a warmer climate, you can grow a bamboo fence naturally by planting it along the desired area. It is an inexpensive fencing method as bamboo grows quickly, so when you let the bamboo grow naturally, you can maintain and trim it according to the height you want.
If you prefer dried-out bamboo, you can grow it in an area until it reaches the correct height according to the fence you want. Then cut it down, let the bamboo dry out, and put it up as your fence. Bamboo can grow incredibly fast, around 36 inches in 24 hours.
When you don’t like the natural or DIY aspect of bamboo fencing, you can buy pre-made rolls of bamboo fencing and just have them installed according to your specifications.
Another interesting factor of the bamboo fence, when grown naturally, is that you can attract deer with the bamboo when you live in a coastal area or any area near wildlife.
It is a great idea if you like earth-friendly options that don’t require maintenance after installation; the deer might just help maintain the bamboo as they eat the leaves that grow out of the bamboo.
Concrete Fencing
Concrete is also a type of fencing that you want to consider. If security or privacy is important to you, this type of fencing might be a good option for you. You can also consider adding wood, steel, or brick accents to break up the design.
You can consult with professionals or the building contractor on this option, and concrete is also a good fencing option in coastal areas as you have very little maintenance to worry about after installation.
Lattice Fencing
This form of creating fences or borders can also be a way of fencing your property that might interest you. It is a more natural option if you are looking for something that blends in with the beauty of coastal areas and is environmentally friendly.
But just like with wood, you will have to do some maintenance, but it is not too hard or time-consuming. So if you struggle to find the perfect type of fencing that suits you, you can think of using lattice fencing.
Lattice fencing might come across as unstable or flimsy, but you can strengthen it with cement or wooden beams on either side of the fence. You can even support the structure by growing shrubs or bushes around it and making it look greener.
Wattle fencing
It can serve as a DIY project if you like doing things independently. You can do this by weaving thin wood branches together through vertically positioned stakes. You can even find tutorial videos online to assist with creating this form of fencing.
You can try something different with this idea, and if you have a family, you can make it a family project. Together you can create a good-looking fence that can last years with proper maintenance. This form of fencing is perfect for coastal areas.
You can source wood or branches for this fencing project from trees in your own backyard or buy from local businesses. If you want to be creative and get to know your neighbor, ask if you can have some of their branches from their trees and turn the fence into a community project.
Living Fences
This option for fencing is also perfect in coastal regions or areas. If you consider yourself an avid gardener and love creating environmentally friendly spaces or gardening, this form of creating fences will be for you.
Growing or creating your own living fence is an alternative to yard fencing. Hedging plants such as privets or boxwood are generally preferred when going with this type of fencing. You can approach landscapers with this option if the DIY factor is not your style and you prefer this natural form of fencing.
Through this fencing method, you also have a hand in creating your garden, and you can assist with the layout of your fence. When growing hedges, the fun part is that you can trim them to your specifications as they grow.
Living fences are also a way for you to be creative as you can cut them into different shapes and forms if you like. You don’t always have to keep it the same, and you can create with them to attract more birdlife to your garden.
Conclusion
There are different fencing options to consider when planning to fence a property in or around a coastal area. Factors to consider are the fence’s durability against coastal climate and the maintenance aspect of the product you choose to use.
Other considerations are the type of fence you are looking for and why you want this area to be fenced off. If you need a budget-friendly option, you might want to consider one of the DIY or natural options. If you want an option with no DIY or any real maintenance, then the vinyl fencing option is the one to consider.
References
- www.bobvila.com/articles/types-of-fence-materials/
- https://www.pinterest.com.au/lincooper100/coastal-fencing/
- https://www.mymove.com/home-inspiration/outdoor/cheap-fence-ideas/
