Fences are used to enclose land and keep animals in or out. They can also be a symbol of wealth and status, with higher fences indicating more prestige or affluence. The earliest known fences were made of available materials, usually, stone or wood, and these materials are still used for some fences today. In areas where field stones are plentiful, fences have been built up over the years as the stones are removed from fields during tillage and planting of crops. The stones were placed on the field edge to get them out of the way. In time, the pile of stones grew high enough to become a fence in itself.

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Definition of fence

A fence is a structure that encloses an area, typically outdoors, and is usually constructed from posts that are connected by boards, wire, rails, or netting. A fence differs from a wall in not having a solid foundation along its whole length. Alternatives to fencing include a ditch (sometimes filled with water, forming a moat).

Fences vary in size and they can be built out of different materials. Wire fences may be used to prevent animals such as cattle from leaving fields where they are being grazed.

In some areas (such as Scotland) the term “hurdle” refers to hedges rather than fences.

Materials for fence

The earliest known fences were made of available materials, usually, stone or wood, and these materials are still used for some fences today.

In areas where field stones are plentiful, fences have been built up over the years as the stones are removed from fields during tillage and planting of crops. The stones were placed on the field edge to get them out of the way. In time, the pile of stones grew high enough to become a fence in itself.

Fences are made from materials such as wood, metal, and plastic. In the past, fences were made from stone or bricks.

Wood is a common material for fences because it is strong enough to keep animals out of your garden and people off your land without being too expensive to buy. Metal is also popular because it’s strong but also weatherproof so that you don’t have to worry about it rusting away over time if it gets wet during rainy days (or snow). Plastic is another common material used for making fences because it won’t split when hit by heavy objects like baseballs or footballs thrown by children playing on the street outside their homes.

FAQ

What is the cheapest fencing right now?

Chicken wire and hog wire with wooden supports are among the cheapest.

What is the easiest fence to install?

The quickest and easiest fence to install is with wood panels. The wood panels are not always the cheapest, but they save time rather than installing the rails and pickets separately.

Can I build a fence without digging holes?

If you are not wanting to dig to set your fence post, a metal spike anchor might be the easiest option