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Best Fences For Rural Property In New Jersey

If you have a rural property in New Jersey, you will understand the importance of great fencing. The difference between great fencing and rubbish fencing can cost thousands of dollars in damages if animals get out, or if predators get in. Installing fencing is a large part of owning a property where you need to either keep animals safe and enclosed and let people know where your boundaries are. It’s a costly and time-consuming task, but if you do it right the first time, you won’t have too much ongoing maintenance in the future.

Choosing the right materials for your hobby farm, or rural property is crucial to getting value for money in the long run. The last thing you want is to save a few bucks in the building process only to need to spend the money you saved every year for the next ten years on repairs. You need to consider your options based on the type of activities your rural property will demand.

Wooden Fences

For centuries, wood has been the chosen material for rural fencing properties. However, for centuries there was also many centuries of untouched lands that offered a surplus of hardwoods ready to be milled straight off your farm. When timber was available in this sort of capacity, fences could last a century or more, however now with new trees, a majority are softer, unnaturally grown and not aged well enough to create stable fencing structures. Aged hardwood naturally occurring is almost a thing of the past in most areas of the country, so alternatives must be sought out.

Lumberyard timber is typically softer and only has a life expectancy of around twenty years, even with constant maintenance. So, you need to choose the best wood for your area, based on what you can afford. It can be costly, and there will be maintenance required, like painting or staining, and pest prevention. The sun is the most significant factor that deteriorates timber fencing, and you need to have a solid plan to protect it. Combining timber fencing with wires is a much more financially viable option, especially if you have a lot of space to cover.

Barbed Wire Fences

Barbed wire is a great option that allows a lot of fence line to be covered for a portion of the price of a solid timber fence. It’s a great way to keep animals in but can cause serious injury to animals if they try to escape. Unfortunately, many laws are enforced around barbed wire. In NJ, you must have the consent of your adjoining neighbors to use barbed wire between your properties legally. Without permission, you can be liable for any damages caused by your fence to animals or people.

Woven Wire Fences

Many types of animals can be harder to contain than others, and one of the best fence types for the rural property is woven write or chain link fences. It is favored by owners of sheep, goats, poultry, pigs, and horses, and has a robust construction. A well-made, chain link fence can last up 20 years with limited maintenance requirements.

Synthetic Material Fences

Synthetic fencing has come a long way in the last thirty years. Composite material fences that combine recycled plastics and wood are a great way to add character and strength to your rural property borders. Synthetic fencing is designed to withstand high and low temperatures as well as other forces of nature. They are great for livestock, they look fantastic and last a long time, with lifetime warranties to match. They don’t rust, they don’t rot, and they don’t fall to pieces after a few years. Synthetic fences can be combined with electricity to keep animals in, and predators out.