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With the growing options for eco-friendly building materials and processes, there’s an array of environmentally friendly fence options to ensure you can have a green home without compromising your desired aesthetic.
From a wooden fence to an iron fence to brick walls, here are some options for eco-friendly fences and yard or garden fencing to upgrade your home.
“Besides the environmental benefits, eco-friendly fence materials are durable and can last years.”
What Are the Characteristics of an Eco-Friendly Fence?
The popularity of eco-friendly products and services is growing every day. Homes are becoming green, including
fences made with sustainable materials or processes.There are many aspects of an eco-friendly fence, which include:
Recycled Materials
The use of recycled materials reduces waste in landfills. Some materials can be recycled when the fence ends, such as aluminum, which can be recycled repeatedly.
Sustainable Materials
Sustainable fencing materials are often used to create barrier gardens, reducing soil erosion and filtering pollutants out of the water. Materials that are durable and require low maintenance help reduce the environmental impact.
Renewable Resources
Some materials, such as bamboo, are environmentally friendly because they are renewable resources that can regenerate over time. For example, bamboo can be harvested, replanted, and regrown over time to replace what was cut.
Green Manufacturing
The fence materials aren’t the only part of fencing that can damage the environment. The manufacturing process should also be green, which means it doesn’t produce harmful emissions and promotes efficiency. Products should be made with little to no chemicals to reduce environmental impact.
Types of Environmentally Conscious Fence
Here are some of the most popular and cost-effective environmentally friendly fencing options:
Bamboo
Bamboo is an eco-friendly fence option because it’s a renewable resource and doesn’t require much water to grow. Bamboo is also strong and durable, even more than some types of wood, and a fence made of bamboo can withstand hurricane winds.
The material is also grown without chemicals and resistant to termites, as they can’t digest the silica in the bamboo. It’s lightweight and easy to install, so it’s appropriate for residential and commercial properties.
Composite
Composite materials are produced from recycled plastic and wood fiber. They don’t require staining or painting like some fence types and are built to last. Over its life, a composite fence requires extremely little maintenance.
A composite fence provides a natural-looking, durable, and weather-resistant fence resistant to insects. It comes in various styles and colors so that you can use it for residential and commercial properties.
Stone
Stone or brick fences are the most durable option. They can last for centuries and don’t require much maintenance or chemical treatment. You don’t have to paint a stone or brick fence, either. Stone fences also provide a natural look that pairs well with any home.
Several types of stone are available for fencing, including marble, granite, and sandstone, each with color options and patterns. These fences are also resistant to rot and insect damage.
Wood
Wood is one of the most eco-friendly options for fences. It’s a renewable resource and can be reused or recycled when the fence reaches the end of its life. Wood is also biodegradable, so it doesn’t take up landfill space.
A
wood fence is exceptionally versatile. They come in a range of sizes and styles to match the décor of your home, from contemporary to rustic, and you can choose from woods like redwood or cedar. Wood fences do require more maintenance, however.
Metal
Metal fencing is sustainable because it’s made from recycled materials and recyclable. These fences are incredibly durable and low maintenance, so you can invest in a fence that will stand the test of time.
There are many types of metals for fencing, including aluminum, steel, chain link, and wrought iron. Each type has benefits for your home, but they’re all eco-friendly. Some metals are corrosion-resistant, like aluminum, and others are strong, like steel or wrought iron.
Why Does an Eco-Friendly Fence Matter?
The fencing industry has been a significant contributor to environmental degradation. It’s slowly changing with the advent of new eco-friendly materials and processes, giving homeowners more options to go green.
Aside from the environmental benefits, eco-friendly fence materials are durable and can last years. Many are weather- and insect-resistant, low maintenance, and strong. You don’t have to compromise on looks, since eco-friendly fences come in virtually every style and size.
How to Choose the Right Fence Type for You
There are many things to consider when choosing a fence for your home or business. Fences are often installed for security or privacy reasons, keeping children and pets in while keeping intruders and wildlife out and complementing the property's look.
Fortunately, any of these eco-friendly materials can be used to accommodate your needs, budget, climate, and aesthetics. If you want help with your new fence,
contact Northwest Fence & Iron to talk about fence options and choose an eco-friendly fence for your property.