Choosing Between Practicality And Beauty In Fencing Materials

There are almost too many tree species in the world to easily settle on one appearance, and even more treatment options that can lead to many amazing designs. You have an open world of choices between appearance and durability, with enough options to pick and choose different wood types that offer both. Take a bit of time to look at a few of the following wood types to understand not only their beauty, but the structural features that would be helpful and appealing for large business parks.     

Dark Meranti As A Mahogany Alternative

Although mahogany is well known as a dark wood, Meranti has been used to give similar affects. As a species of the Shorea genus, it is a plentiful and quick growing wood only limited by its tendency to thrive in tropical areas. It's an imported wood, but the import prices may not be high enough to turn away most fence makers on a budget.

The strain of Meranti is what gives it a charming appeal. Unlike wood strains that offer straight, vertical designs, Meranti has a more chaotic and mesh-like strain that can give a more fibrous appeal to fencing. Although it's a good idea to treat any wood, Meranti is moderately rot resistant and a good choice for outdoor projects.

Although Shorea woods may be considered a fast-growing solution to the often over-forested mahogany, there are some species of Shorea on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's red data list for endangered or threatened species. Shorea curtisii (dark red Meranti) is listed as least concern, making it a good choice if you're concerned about impacting the environment. 

Spruce For Creative Bending

Spruce wood is a sturdy wood that can resist snapping and moderate impact damage, but it's quite flexible. Spruce and other similar woods have a somewhat spongy interior that allows a bit of movement, attributing to their survival during storms. The wood also holds moisture and have a recognizable scent because of the dense sap.

The downside is that spruce can be more susceptible to wood rot than other woods used for load-bearing and outdoor use. Spruce needs to be treated regularly in order to keep contaminants out, which is done easily thanks to its absorbency. The wood absorbs different anti-rot and waterproofing chemical treatments easily, but the same absorbency may be what leads to the easy rotting.

If you need more options for your fencing or would like help with treatment for less resistant woods, contact a commercial fence company (such as Phoenix Fence, Co.) for large-scale wooden fencing to add some refined appeal to your business or industrial park.

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