Fencing Terms That Every Homeowner Should Know

Fences add security, beauty, and value to any home. If you’re preparing to invest in a new fence for your property—or you’re simply a homeowner looking to become more educated in the area of fencing—there are several key terms you should be aware of. Here are some of the most common fencing terms that every homeowner should know:

• Fence line: This term refers to the path a fence follows through a landscape, describing the line it follows along your property. It’s an important term to understand when you’re designing and constructing a fence, since your fence must be within the legal boundaries of your property.

• Gate: A gate controls ingress and egress through a fence opening. It can take the form of a movable frame or a solid structure, swinging, sliding, or rolling to control access to a fenced-in area.

• Hinge: A hinge connects the gate of a fence to a post. Common types include tee hinges and strap hinges.

• Latch: A latch is a component that allows a gate of a fence to shut firmly. Many fences have gravity latches that fall into place on their own when the gate closes. Bolt latches feature a bolt that must be manually slid into place to close a gate securely.

• Picket: These vertical members sit on top of the rails, and they often have pointy or decorative tops. Pickets are usually placed right next to each other to create a privacy barrier, but they can also be positioned with gaps between them for a more open look.

• Post: Posts are the vertical components of fences. There are end posts that are found at the ends of a fence, with holes on one side only to accept the rails. There are also corner posts that have holes on two sides for rails, usually at a 90-degree angle to each other.

• Privacy fence: A privacy fence is both tall enough and solid enough to block the view into your outdoor spaces. They’re commonly used to fence in backyards, and they’re often made of wood, aluminum, or vinyl.

• Rail: In fencing, the term rail refers to the horizontal components that run between the posts. In some cases, like post and rail or split rail fences, the entire fence may only consist of posts and rails. Depending on the height and purpose of the fence, there may be a center rail, along with a top and bottom rail.

• Semi-private fence: These fences are built to a shorter height than a traditional privacy fence, and they’re often built to keep small animals or children enclosed in a yard. They’re typically made of thick wood or brick.

Design and Build the Fence of Your Dreams Today

The terms defined above are just some of the fencing terms you’ll encounter as you design a beautiful, long-lasting fence for your property. Need help choosing the right fencing style and material for your home? Reach out to the fencing experts at American Wholesale Fenceworks today at (888) 610-1756. We’re ready to answer all your questions!