Republic Fence Company - Fence Types
The style of the fence itself is determined by the preferences of the homeowner and the requirements set forth by the HOA, if one exists. In situations where there are no HOA specifications, or where the customer may choose between different styles of fencing, we recommend keeping the style of fence consistent with the other fences in the neighborhood.Republic Fence can provide the following types of fences: wood, vinyl, ornamental iron, chain link, game fencing.
Composite "Trex" fencing available.
Wood Fencing in Houston
The majority of wood residential fences in Houston Texas are as follows:- Classic Cedar Privacy Fence
This standard wood privacy fence is either 6' tall, or 7' with a facia board along the bottom. The width of the pickets are either 3 1/2" or 5 1/2" and are usually dog-earred or notched. Approximately 2.2 of these 5 1/2" boards will fit in a 1-foot section with just enough space between to let some air in. The fence is considered a privacy fence because you cannot see through the panels unless you are up very close to the fence. - Shadow Box Fence or alternating board fence
This wood privacy fence is also either 6' tall, or 7' tall with a facia board along the bottom. The pickets are alternated on either side of the fence rails to create a "shadow box" feel. This fence is a nice gesture if you have neighbors, as both sides of the fence look exactly the same. It may also be preferred to get your neighbor to split the cost of the fence as this style of fence requires more lumber, more labor, and therefore is more expensive than the classic fence. - Good Neighbor Fence
This wood privacy fence is like a Shadow Box fence, only instead of alternating pickets there are alternating sections of the fence. Each 6' to 8' section of fence is constructed so that it faces one side and then the other. This fence uses only slightly more materials than a classic fence and does not generally require any additional labor.
Depending upon where you live you may be bound by certain condition of a home owner's association. We are familiar with the fencing requirement of many area HOA's. If you do not know what your HOA says about fencing specifications, we will research it for you as part of the service.
Types of Wood Used in Houston Fences return to top of page
The Houston area is tough on wood, and you will notice a new fence starting to lose some of its aesthetic appeal in about a year. Homeowner's have two reliable choices when it comes to materials: Cedar and Pressure Treated Pine.
Characteristics of Cedar
A fence project will be a bit more expensive with Cedar slats but it looks great when installed. We use only western red cedar, not spruce or Chinese fir. Cedar is naturally rot resistant and bug and termite resistant. It will warp less and maintain its shape longer than pine. Aesthetically it will take a bit longer for the fence to gray in color. Most people do not treat their cedar fence, but a clear coat water-repellant solution can be used to keep the fence looking nice for a longer period of time. Note: Many HOA's only allow a clear coat finish.
Staining or Waterproofing Fence
A good way to maintain the fresh new look of your cedar fence is to apply a clear coat waterproofing solutions like Behr or Thompsons. This photo from a 5 year old fence shows a section of fence that was not treated as opposed to the rest of the fence that was treated. We can apply the waterproofing for you at installation and also service your fence every 2 years (manufacturer's suggestion).
Characteristics of Pressure Treated Pine
PT Pine slats are usually more affordable than cedar pickets. They are green in color when fresh and will dry out in a couple weeks and take on the familiar light color of a new fence. Pine is not naturally a rot resistant and bug resistant wood, so it is chemically treated to make it such. Most manufacturers back up their pressure treated pine with a 20 year warranty against rot or insects, but no one guarantees it against warping or cracking which it is bound to do in the Houston humidity. Most pine boards are wet when they go up and will shrink when they dry out, causing the fence pickets to separate by 1/8" to 1/4".
Either material is acceptable and will produce a high quality, beautiful new fence.
Vinyl Fencing Options
Many options exist for vinyl fencing from a 3 or 4 rail ranch fence to a fence that resembles wood but is made to last for decades. A vinyl fence in conjunction with an iron driveway gate makes for a beautiful exterior.
