As much as big red barns and wraparound porches, nothing exudes down-home, rural aesthetics as wooden farm fence designs. Whether it’s the clean, distinctive three-rail fence, the barbed wire held up by wooden posts, or weathered logs stacked up, you know you’ve gone beyond the outskirts of town and into the agricultural landscape.
These fences can be made from a variety of materials, can be painted or left natural, can be utilitarian or just for looks, and can be made in a variety of styles. The only thing they aren’t is the traditional cedar wood fence or chain link fence you see accompanying residential homes.
Part of the reasoning behind this is the sheer size of the fence and what they are meant to do. Building the standard cedar, brown wooden fence for a three-acre horse farm would be prohibitively expensive, not to mention look pretty out of place in a rural landscape.
These fences also aren’t necessarily built for privacy, but to keep livestock in place. After all, when your nearest neighbor could be half a mile away, privacy isn’t as much of a concern. There are several different designs commonly used in wooden farm fences, including picket, split-rail, board-on-board, lattice, and post-and-rail styles.
Finally, it’s important to be mindful of local zoning regulations and restrictions when designing your wood farm fence. Make sure you are aware of any ordinances in place before you start building so you can make sure your project meets all requirements. And, of course, make sure you know where your property line is. You don’t want to put up a fence only to have to take sections down because they’re on your neighbor’s parcel.
Wooden Farm Fence Designs
There are a few main wooden farm fence designs, although all of them share many characteristics and even similar looks. We’ll be taking a look at four different designs:
Split Rail
Round Rail
Post and Rail
Crossbuck
Split Rail Wooden Farm Fence Design
A split rail fence is a type of rustic fence made by splitting wooden logs or timbers lengthwise into rails. These rails are then stacked horizontally and fastened to upright posts or stakes. The result is a fence that has a simple, yet charming and rustic appearance.
The rails used in a split rail fence are typically made from hardwoods. The logs are first cut to length, then split into halves or quarters depending on the desired size of the rails. The resulting rails are then trimmed to length and sometimes beveled to give them a smoother appearance.
The posts are typically set into the ground at regular intervals, and the rails are attached to them using mortise and tenon joints or other types of connectors. Split rail fences are popular in rural areas, where they are used to mark property boundaries, contain livestock, or simply as a decorative element.
They are also sometimes used in suburban or urban settings for landscaping or to add a touch of rustic charm to a property. Overall, split rail fences are a durable and low-maintenance option that can add a touch of natural beauty to any property. Split rail fencing can also be made of vinyl, which lasts much longer and will retain its color for longer periods of time.
Back in the day, split rail fences were created by stacking logs that had been split at angles. The first layer would go down, then the second layer would be placed at an angle so they would stay in place. The third layer would be placed parallel to the first layer, and then back and forth.
This made for a zig-zag pattern that followed the slopes of the land. No fasteners were used, as the weight of the logs kept everything in place. If needed, these fences could easily be altered to add an opening to let the livestock out for grazing.
All they would have to do is lift off one panel of the fence, then put it back when the animals were back in place. With today’s technology and hardware, it’s just easier to build a farm gate big enough for any livestock you’re dealing with. You will still see zig-zag fences for smaller applications, such as small temporary pens or around gardens to keep the deer away.
Round Rail Wooden Farm Fence Designs
A round rail wood farm fence is a type of rustic fence commonly used in rural settings. It is similar to a split rail fence in that it is made from wooden rails, but instead of being split lengthwise, the rails are left in their natural round shape or tapered for the familiar round appearance
The rails are attached to vertical posts, which are typically set at intervals of 8 to 10 feet. The posts are usually made from the same type of wood as the rails and are set into the ground using concrete. The rails can be attached to the posts using a variety of methods, although usually, it’s by inserting the rails into holes in the posts.
One of the advantages of a round rail wood farm fence is its durability. The natural round shape of the rails makes them less prone to cracking or splitting than the flat rails used in a split rail fence. Additionally, the larger diameter of the rails provides greater strength and stability. They are also commonly used in residential settings to provide a decorative touch to a property or to create a natural-looking boundary.
Post and Rail Fence
Although this looks very similar to the above designs, the construction of a post and rail wooden farm fence design is different. Instead of inserting the ends of the fails into holes in the post, the rails are attached to the sides of the post with nails or screws. Some designs include another piece of wood nailed over the seams of the rails at each fence post.
A post and rail wooden farm fence is a type of fence commonly used for enclosing pastures or other large areas of land and perfectly completes the rural scenery around it. The rails can be either round or flat, depending on the desired aesthetic. Flat rails are typically used for a more formal appearance, while round rails provide a more rustic and natural look.
One of the advantages of a post and rail wooden farm fence is its versatility. It can be used to enclose a variety of different areas, from small gardens to large pastures. It is also highly customizable, with options for the height, spacing, and number of rails used. This makes it a popular choice for both residential and commercial properties.
Crossbuck Wooden Farm Fence Design
A crossbuck wooden farm fence design is a type of fence commonly used in rural areas to enclose pastures, fields, and other areas of land. This design consists of a series of horizontal wooden rails that are intersected by diagonal braces, forming an X or crossbuck pattern. The rails are attached to vertical posts using nails or screws.
The diagonal braces used in a crossbuck wooden farm fence are typically cut to a length of approximately 5 to 6 feet and are usually 2 to 3 inches in diameter. The braces are attached to the posts using fasteners in most cases. There are also rails along the top and bottom of the fence to help keep animals from going under or over the middle of the “X.”
One of the advantages of a crossbuck wooden farm fence is its strength and stability. The diagonal braces provide additional support to the horizontal rails, making it less likely to sag or bow over time. Additionally, the design provides a classic and timeless look that can complement a variety of different architectural styles.
Many of these wooden farm fence designs can also be outfitted with wire fencing to keep smaller critters in (and out). By affixing woven wire mesh or even chain link fencing, your farm fencing will be that much more secure.
