Why Choose Split Rail Fences

We put up fences for many reasons. Fences can serve as markers for property lines, keep stray animals from entering your premises and protect children and pets within a safe enclosure. These requirements are all fulfilled by split rail fences, one of America's favorite fence types throughout the years. Split rail fences are highly preferred due to their versatility and practicality.

A split rail fence is made of logs that are placed one on top of the other, often in a zigzagging manner. Split rail fences are constructed where good fencing timber, such as cedar, is abundant. Split rail fences are also very easy to disassemble, repair and reassemble.

A split rail fence has also been highly regarded as one of the most durable types of fences as it is rot-resistant and weather-resistant. A split rail fence only requires a fair amount of attention right after installation, as the soil around the posts could become loose, requiring frequent tamping and re-tamping.

How are split rail fences installed?

To install a split rail fence, position the vertical columns about four feet above ground and ten feet apart from each other using three or four support beams. For extra support, use cross-support beams, too. Aside from frequently tamping and re-tamping the soil where the posts have been installed during the first few weeks, fill the holes with gravel to make the posts more stable and to keep water from rotting the post bases. Split rail fences are great for keeping in large animals such as horse and cattle but are not very effective for keeping in small pets.

Modern versions of split rail fences

Due to the decrease in the supply of wood and its consequent increase in prices, manufacturers have started looking for viable alternative materials for making split rail fences. Vinyl is one of those that are considered good substitutes for wood. Vinyl is lightweight and can come in a wide variety of colors and designs. Moreover, vinyl is highly weather-resistant and needs absolutely no maintenance, making it the next best thing to wood. Vinyl is becoming popular with designers, too, as it can be manipulated into hundreds of styles and patterns.

Whether your split rail fence is made of wood or some other material, one thing is for sure -- split rail fences have considerably defined the American landscape for many years and will continue to do so for more years ahead.

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