Wood is a classic choice in residential homes for various reasons, including its function. Even with stronger materials out there, they don’t have wood’s natural feel and appeal. Any household that wants its front or backyard to appear as organic as Mother Nature will choose wood, down to the fencing.

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There’s just one problem: the price of lumber has been spiking and nosediving since the COVID pandemic began. According to the latest report by Bloomberg, the cost per thousand board feet has reached over USD$600. While half as much as it was worth six months ago, it’s a rebound from lumber prices back in July.

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No one’s sure if the cost of wood will go up or down in the following months. Homeowners will have to get creative with their wood fences until then. Fortunately, the wood fence ideas in this article are a good start and won’t cost an arm and a leg.

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1. Reclaimed wood

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Dismantling homes and buildings produces a lot of waste, which will only end up in overloaded landfills. But as one common saying goes: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” There are opportunities to reclaim wood from such activities.

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Many home improvement projects use reclaimed wood due to the reduced need to cut more trees down. Those with better quality can come from decades-old homes and barns, most likely built with wood from older trees. Their age adds an average of 40 points on the Janka hardness scale compared to early-generation wood from a similar species.

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Because of their age, reclaimed wood fencing can give a property that rustic look. A simple way to build one is to stack the planks of varying dimensions one on top of another—some sawing or smoothing may be necessary. The resulting randomness brings a unique charm to the property.

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2. Wood pallets

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Across the United States, logistics companies move stuff using over two billion pallets, most of which are wooden. They’re a favorite among warehouses and storage facilities for their cost-effectiveness and ease of repair. That said, some wood pallets end up repurposed into other products like pallet fencing, one of many wood fence covering ideas.

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Like repurposed wood, you can get wood pallets either free of charge or for a cheap cost. Since they used to carry boxes and crates, they can also be durable fences without much configuration. All it takes to install them is a handful of wooden posts to hold them in place.

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3. Split-rail design

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A typical sight in the countryside, split-rail fences require far fewer planks than most designs. Their initial use was to mark a homesteader’s property while being easy enough to dismantle when they had to move elsewhere. As a result, homesteaders didn’t need to chop down nearby trees to build new fences.

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The design eventually found its way to suburban homes with smoother planks and permanent posts. Its openness allows plants next to the fence to receive sunlight for extended hours daily. However, don’t expect a split-rail to maintain your privacy even with up to three slats.

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4. Picket fence

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A staple of the stereotypical American home, the picket fence is surprisingly cost-effective for having multiple pickets. It’s a step up from the split-rail design in terms of privacy and allows residents and passersby to have a chat.

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Picket fences can be as high as four feet, with a three-inch gap between the slats. The spear point is the traditional choice, though other designs like round, Georgian, Victorian, and capped exist. To save on building costs, maximize the distance between pickets and go for the traditional look. It’s one of the remarkable wood fence ideas for the front yard.

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5. Painting

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Building a new fence or replacing an existing one won’t come cheap, even with the ideas stated here. Apart from gathering the materials, there’s also enlisting professional hands to install the whole thing unless you’re a handyman. Nevertheless, one thing you can do if you want a nice-looking fence on a tight budget is to give it a fresh coat.

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Wood may look nice, but enough rain and humidity might cause it to rot. A coat of color can add a layer of protection against the elements for between two and three years. Gather your wood fence color ideas and decide on the one to suit the house.

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Conclusion

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While the cost of lumber won’t go down anytime soon, it doesn’t have to force you to put off that wood fence project. With the right design choice, you can realize any idea you have for a fence on any budget.

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