When you take a trip to your local lumber yard or hardware store, you will see that there is a seemingly endless amount of fencing supplies to help you construct the fence of your dreams. It does not matter if you are building a chain-link fence or a wood-picket fence, you can find the fencing supplies you need to create a custom, high-dollar look. And when it comes to fencing, the supplies can be grouped into categories:
* Accessories and Decorative Items
* Hardware
* Panels and Rolls
* Posts.
The posts are used to support the entire fence and the panels or rolls consists of the actual fencing material. You will use hardware to attach the pieces together and secure the posts into the ground. The accessories and decorative items for a fence are varied and include fencing supplies like:
* Stains
* Paints
* Gates
* Post Caps.
Fence Post Supplies
While there is a multitude of fencing supplies you will need to purchase, the first category to look at is the fence posts. They are all installed in the same manner: being driven and secured into the ground. In most cases, the posts will need to be kept in place by concrete.
Some posts are constructed from bricks or concrete while others are made from metal, wood or vinyl. The kind of posts you buy will be determined by the look you want to achieve as well as the purpose for the fence and your personal preference. Wood and metal fence posts are the most common types. However, vinyl posts are beginning to become more popular; these posts are best for residential fencing projects.
Fence Panel and Roll Supplies
The next category of fencing supplies are the panels and rolls. Most panels come prefabricated and are meant to be attached to posts that are already installed into the ground. These panels are usually made of:
* Metal
* Vinyl
* Wood.
And the panels are typically cut to a predetermined size in order to make installation easy. You also have the choice of buying pickets in a bundle and installing them individually; this is a time-consuming process. If you decide to buy a chain-link fence, the material will come in rolls instead of panels. The chain-link roll is secured to the metal posts by twisting metal pieces around the material and the post.
Fence Hardware Supplies
Posts and panels do no good if you do not have the accompanying hardware. These fencing supplies include items such as:
* Brackets
* Hinges
* Screws
* Ties.
The hardware is extremely important because these fencing supplies will determine the longevity and strength of the fencing structure. Keep in mind that cheap hardware tends to corrode and rust much quicker than quality hardware.
Fence Accessories
Stains and paints are accessory fencing supplies that not only beautify the fence but also extend the lifespan of the fence. These supplies are available in a wide variety of colors and shades. If you want to dress up your fence, you can buy products like a gate and posts caps.