Split Rail Fencing Provides An Authentic Rustic LookAsk anyone which type of fence has the most rustic look of any type of fence, and you will probably get the answer that it is the split rail fence. These fences can be seen in rural areas in all parts of the country and are usually used for fencing in livestock or as a simple measure to identify the boundaries of a property. They are however also seen in urban areas as an alternative to other types of fencing. They are usually made of wood, but can be made of vinyl, can have gates fitted to suit the split rail style, and have some disadvantages which need to be considered. This article will look at these points in turn and what needs to be borne in mind when installing a split rail fence. One of the most common types of wood used for the split rail fence is cedar. This is the wood that has been used for years in the construction of split rail fences and is the wood most likely found when viewing split rail fencing on ranches or other rural properties. Western red cedar is a particularly common choice, and has the advantage that it turns to an attractive silver color. Since the rails on a true split rail fence are not trimmed to be uniform, each rail will have a totally unique appearance, adding to the rustic feel of these fences. If you want a true rustic fence, then a red cedar split rail is a good choice. Vinyl Split Rail Fence However, if you prefer something which looks a little less rustic, it is possible to have a split rail fence made from vinyl. Since these fences come in prefabricated parts, they are relatively easy to install, and also have the added advantage that vinyl does not rot, which makes for extremely low maintenance. In this way, you get all the advantages of the looks of a split rail, but without the problems of dealing with wood. Whether the choice is wood or vinyl, the sizes of a split rail fence are much the same, with a two rail fence having a height of about 34-inches and a three rail fence having a height of about 50-inches One of the things that needs careful consideration is the gate to be used with the split rail fence. If the choice of material is wood, then a small gate brings no installation problems. But if a larger gate is needed, such as a gate big enough to drive a car through and used for a driveway, then there can be problems of building such a large split rail gate to a suitable strength. To overcome this problem, the gate can constructed with a metal frame which supplies the strength but without losing the look of an authentic wood split rail fence gate. Split Rail Fence Posts The disadvantages of split rail fencing are mainly to do with the wood type. Wood is a high-maintenance material, and it should be remembered that a wooden fence of any type will need regular treatment to stop rot, and a wooden split rail fence is no different. The fence posts will need to be checked regularly for signs of rot, and treated regularly with creosote or other preservative. As should be obvious there are a few choices of split rail fence, and choosing a gate for a large access point needs to be done with care. But a split rail fence really can give you that genuine rustic look. Before making a decision, take the time to do some research and check out the types of split rail and the deals on offer at the various web-based suppliers. |