Why does a homeowner fence a plot of land? There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the fence creates an obstacle in the way of intruders, and secondly, the fence protects the territory of the site from foreign domestic animals and unwanted guests from the forest entering it.
It should be noted right away that erecting a fence is not cheap, but the process can be made cheaper by doing some of the work yourself.
Wooden fence
Fences made of wood are budget designs. It is possible to construct many types of fencing from it, without incurring high costs. By the way, if you wish, you can create fences from this material that are comparable to a work of art.
The obvious advantages of wood include:
- environmental Safety;
- ease of processing and installation of the finished structure;
- attractive appearance;
- Wood fencing provides design opportunities.
But, along with the obvious advantages of wood, there are also some disadvantages, these include:
- cheap wooden structures require protective measures against rotting or biological damage;
- In addition, for fire safety purposes, the wood is treated with fire-retardant coatings;
- As a result of the development of putrefactive processes and the influence of fungi and microorganisms, the service life of wooden fences is several years.
It won’t be difficult for a home craftsman to build a fence with his own hands from wood.
Installation materials
To build a cheap wooden fence you will need support posts, longitudinal logs and boards. For a fence around the dacha, planed boards or slabs can be used. Some homeowners prefer to frame a cheap fence using a picket fence. This is what profiled boards are called.
Fencing installation
Before installation begins, it is necessary to mark the area. To perform this operation, use a tape measure, a marking cord and some other tools.
During this process, the homeowner will be required to decide on the height of the fence, which typically ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 meters. The distance between supports ranges from 2.5 to 3 meters.
After marking, prepare pits for supports. Its depth is, for example, 0.7 m, and a sand-gravel mixture with a height of 100-250 mm should be laid on the bottom. It will be needed to compensate for ground vibrations during heaving.
The joists are secured to the posts using nails or screws. Boards that are intended for cladding are attached to the joists in the same way. As a result of the work, the land plot will receive a good fence.
The ends of the supports that will be installed in the support pits must be treated with waterproofing mastic.
There are several cheap designs of wooden fences for cottages, among them the picket fence is distinguished; in this structure, instead of boards for cladding the frame, stakes with a diameter of 50 mm are used. A farm fence, which in appearance resembles the fences installed on cowboy ranches, etc.
plank fence
This is practically the cheapest fence for a summer house.
Let's consider its advantages:
- natural material;
- reasonable price.
There are also disadvantages:
- short service life;
- Regular maintenance is required: the fence is drying out and the paint is peeling off.
Wooden boards are one of the easiest materials to work with. It will not be difficult even for beginners in carpentry to build such a cheap wooden fence on their own. Purchased edged boards should be modified (planed, sanded, varnished or painted).
If you don’t want to bother with erecting a fence yourself, you can purchase a ready-made structure. But this option will be several times more expensive.
The cheapest fences (photos of options for their construction can be seen in the article) for a dacha are a palisade made of stakes. You can also make a wicker fence from branches.
Chainlink fence
The mesh, which is steel rods intertwined with each other, is called chain-link. This material is often used to create a fencing for the entire area, except for its façade; there, as a rule, a fence made of a different material, for example, profiled decking, is installed.
Manufacturers produce the following types of meshes:
- without cover;
- coated with a layer of zinc;
- with a polymer coating made on the basis of epoxy resin.
A coated mesh will last 5-10 years longer than one produced without coating.
Fences built using chain-link mesh differ in:
- ease of installation in the chosen location;
- they do not block light or air;
- at the same time, they do not form a shadow and do not provide protection to the area from prying eyes;
- At the end of the winter period, you will need to inspect the surface of the mesh and if the protective layer is damaged, they must be repaired.
Installation
To install the mesh, supports are installed in a previously prepared place. By the way, what material they will be made of does not play a special role. The main thing is not to forget to apply a layer of waterproofing material to the ends of the wooden supports.
After installing the supports, the mesh is attached to them. If it is supplied in the form of a roll, then it is simply stretched along the installed racks and, as it moves, it is secured with nails, clamps and other fasteners.
Construction by sections
There are two forms of supply of chain-link - in the form of a roll and in the form of sheets cut to size. Sheets are used to create sectional fencing. To make a section, you will need to make a frame from a corner; for this, use an equal-flange corner with a shelf size of 20-25 mm. A sheet of mesh is welded inside this frame. The finished section is subjected to anti-corrosion treatment. And installed in the opening between the supports. To do this, it is permissible to use welding or mechanical methods, for example, bolting.
Creating a sectional fence
If you decide to build a cheap fence, then it is best to use a chain-link fence. It can become part of a sectional type fencing. To do this, you need to build a foundation, build a frame from metal corners to tension the material and fix the corners between the pillars. The mesh is attached inside the corners by welding. Such fences can be erected even without the help of specialists, this allows for additional savings.
Corrugated fencing
If your personal plot is located in close proximity to the roadway, it makes sense to think about building a fence from profiled sheets. This fence looks impressive and solid. But its installation requires the manufacture of a foundation, and this can seriously harm the homeowner’s wallet.
A fence constructed from corrugated sheets provides the homeowner with the following advantages:
- the site will be protected from the effects of street noise and dust and debris entering the territory;
- this cheap design does not require any special care;
- Manufacturers offer consumers corrugated sheets painted in a variety of colors;
- this type of fence is not afraid of fire;
- This is a cheap building.
At the same time, a fence made of corrugated sheets:
- characterized by windage, that is, low resistance to the load created by the wind;
- During operation, rust stains form on the surface of the frame, which should be removed as quickly as possible;
- such a structure looks bulky and, under some conditions, limits the access of fresh air to the site.
But despite the above, such designs are very popular among owners of country houses and summer cottages. Because the manufacturing quality of the profiled sheet and its cost clearly outweigh all the indicated disadvantages.
Mounting features
The assembly of such a structure is quite simple. Work begins with arranging the foundation and only then transverse joists are attached to them, onto which sheets of profiled steel will subsequently be installed.
If the height of the fence exceeds 2 meters, then it makes sense to lay three rows of transverse joists.
For fastening it is permissible to use welding or bolted connections or rivets.
Euro picket fence
To protect against strong winds, use a European picket fence. This material consists of strips made of metal, for such a profile it ranges from 0.5 to 0.5 meters. This type of fencing is used to fence off a medium-sized area.
The picket fence can withstand any wind loads. Street lighting is installed on such fences.
A picket fence has the following positive properties:
- long service life, according to manufacturers, a decorative picket fence can last at least 20 years;
- it does not rot, does not need additional coloring and is resistant to fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
The picket fence weighs little and can easily be transported from one place to another.
But this material also has disadvantages:
- labor-intensive and expensive installation;
- it is quickly dismantled, and this has caused it to be stolen by vandals who steal metal.
For use in homes where there are small children, it is advisable to install a picket fence with rounded edges.
Installation features
The fence includes many strips and therefore, when assembling the product, it makes sense to use a template with which you can install the picket fence panels as evenly as possible. The complexity of installing a fence ensures that only 20 screws or self-tapping screws will have to be installed per square meter of covering.
The surface of the picket fence is powder coated and this gives it an attractive appearance.
PVC fencing
The introduction of polymer materials has not spared such an industry as fence construction; some manufacturers have mastered the production of cheap polymer mesh, which is used to create temporary fences, for example, during construction work on a plot of land.
In addition, profile products are made from cheap polymer materials, which in appearance resemble a metal profile. Unlike metal, plastic is susceptible to ultraviolet radiation and over time, such fences lose their appearance.
The installation procedure is not much different from the installation of traditional structures.
Installing plastic
Installation of plastic fences is carried out according to the same scheme as metal ones:
- drawing;
- marking the territory;
- preparation of foundation pits;
- installation of supports;
- installation of frame and canvas.
How to reduce the cost of building a fence with your own hands
Making cheap fencing from scrap material
For those who prioritize cheapness, you can save:
- on materials. You will need cheap, easily accessible types of building materials;
- on structural elements. In particular, the fence will be cheaper if its weight is light, for example, made of plastic, wattle or mesh;
- during installation work, when materials are used that are easy to process and do not require the use of expensive equipment and skilled labor.
Wood is a popular material for fencing construction in our country. In addition, this is one of the most budget-friendly ways to make a fence for your dacha with your own hands. You can build a regular picket fence from small slats, a wattle fence from bush branches, or an inexpensive fence in the American ranch style. The advantages of such fencing are their environmental friendliness, low cost and ease of construction.
Polycarbonate fence
Polycarbonate is used to create building structures, where access to light is required. The sheet is included in the design of bus pavilions and shopping kiosks.
Since the appearance of this material on the construction market, it has been used in the construction of fences for houses and cottages.
The popularity of this material is primarily due to its properties, for example: strength, thermal insulation, and most importantly, this material does not require maintenance.
Polycarbonate sheets are combined with other materials, for example, stone, profile.
But on the other hand, if the outer protective layer is damaged, polycarbonate begins to quickly deteriorate under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.
Fastening sheets
Polycarbonate sheets are easy to install. But when making combined fences, you must remember that polycarbonate expands under the influence of street temperature and therefore a temperature gap is left between the frame and the sheet. This will prevent the sheet from cracking.
Options for inexpensive fencing for a summer residence
Meanwhile, there are options for fences that are inexpensive and easy to install. Let's look at some of them.
Slate
To construct the structure, it is permissible to use either flat or wavy cheap slate.
The first one is preferable for installation, because it has a length of 3 m.
Installation of flat slate, the size of which is 1.5 * 3 m, is carried out faster than wavy slate. It is attached to longitudinal logs, which are fixed on pillars.
Slate fencing is durable, insensitive to heat and cold, and cheap. But the key advantage of slate is its high fragility. Another negative feature is the unattractive gray appearance; special paints are used to eliminate it.
Wicker fence
The basic material for probably the most budget-friendly fence is wattle fence. This fence is based on intertwined rods. Such a fence has a simple rustic look, but only a person with such skill can weave it. The strength of such a structure leaves much to be desired. Fences are not painted, but if desired, the surface is varnished.
Hedge
This method of fencing has not yet become widespread in our country.
- The fence absorbs street dust and noise.
- With care, such fences will last for decades.
But when installing such a fence, the homeowner must understand that there is a possibility of damage by fungus, mold, etc. It cannot be taken into account that maintaining such a fence is expensive.
To form a hedge, deciduous and coniferous shrubs are used; in addition, rosehip, honeysuckle, etc. are used to create a hedge.
Which fence is cheaper?
The cost of the fence is influenced by the choice of standard size of the fence, so a tall fence will naturally be more expensive than a low one, and a solid fence will be more expensive than a transparent one.
A structure that is attached to dug-in or concreted fence posts will be cheaper than a fence structure mounted on a strip foundation.
Having decided on the structure of the fence, we move on to choosing the material from which it can be built. What is cheaper to make a fence from?
1. A wooden fence is always beautiful, cozy, and stylish. This material allows you to make fences of various types:
Wooden picket fence
- Picket fence is one of the most economical types of wooden fence. It can be made in various configurations, with different spacing of pickets and with different shapes of the upper edge of the fence, which will allow you to build a fence in accordance not only with the owner’s money, but also with his taste.
- Ranch . This type of fence can be made from unedged boards and wooden beams, which are horizontally attached to strong posts.
- Wattle fence. This is the cheapest wooden fence. From beautifully intertwined twigs we get a charming fence in a rustic style.
- Lattice fences . They can be made not only from wooden slats, but also from rough poles. Which also leads to cheaper fencing.
2. Metal . The most common materials for country metal fences:
Chainlink fence
- Rabitz . It is available both galvanized and polymer coated. The mesh is installed either on a metal frame, or simply by stretching it over metal posts (which is cheaper), or by making separate sections (by welding the mesh into a frame of pipes or corners). This is a cheap fence. It is good to install it between neighboring plots. It does not shade the plants, and at the same time it is tall - you just can’t step over it.
- Corrugated (complex corrugated) mesh . It is made from pre-bent wires with a diameter of 5-7 mm, by perpendicular weaving. Such a fence is not only very durable, but also cost-effective (cheaper than chain-link fencing), since fence posts can be installed at a distance of 4-5 m instead of 2.5-3 m.
- Made from welded mesh . This type of fence is practical and looks good, and is easier to use. It is more expensive than a chain-link fence, but still much cheaper than a permanent fence.
Summer residents often decorate metal fences with some kind of climbing plants. It looks extremely attractive. The price of 1 rm of chain-link fence (height 1.8 m) ranges from 350 to 450 rubles. 3. Fence made of corrugated board. Is it possible to build an inexpensive fence from this material? Let's figure it out:
The photo shows a fence made of corrugated sheets
- It is advisable to use corrugated sheeting with a thickness of 0.5 mm. It is not much more expensive than 0.4 mm thick flooring, but it will not become covered with dents and will not lose its attractiveness.
- If we take the distance between the supports to be 3 m, then under the influence of wind loads, the fence will begin to bend and may lose its original appearance. Therefore, the support spacing should be no more than 2-2.5 m, ideally 1.5 m.
- The support pipes must be dug to a depth of at least 1.5 m, and they must be concreted.
- The fence post must be made of a 60-80 mm pipe, with a wall thickness of at least 2 mm.
- It is necessary to take corrugated sheeting with a double-sided polymer coating, since galvanized decking (without painting) becomes stained after two years, loses its shine and may begin to corrode.
It is clear that such a fence may be the same price as a metal mesh fence, but this will radically affect its quality. Therefore, if you decide to use corrugated sheeting, it is better to pay extra and get a high-quality fence for many years. The cost of 1 rm of fencing (height 2 m) is from 900 to 1100 rubles.
Comparative price analysis shows that metal mesh fences are the cheapest. They are durable; manufacturers claim that with proper care, the service life of such fencing is about 40 years. But they are very transparent.
Wooden fences and fences made of corrugated sheets are in the same price category. Their quality is directly related to the quality of installation. The service life of autoclaved wood has been increased to 50 years. The service life of an ordinary, painted board is up to 15 years. A fence made of corrugated sheets lasts up to 30 years.
A wooden fence is environmentally friendly, cozy and beautiful, while a fence made of corrugated sheets is reminiscent of fences from factory outskirts. But they are easy to use, and wooden fences require constant attention. The choice is yours.
