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Whether you’re installing fence materials yourself or hiring a fence contractor to do the work, it helps to know some basic fence terminology. Knowing what the different parts of a fence are called will make it easier to ask questions of your contractor or understand your fence installation instructions. Before considering a fence installation, you may wish to brush up on the following terms:
Aluminized – In chain link fence, describes fabric woven from steel wire that is coated with aluminum before weaving. Could also apply in decorative fence or railing system.
Barbed tape – Strip of metal, machined to produce clusters of sharp points.
Barbed wire – Wire constructed with sharp edges or points arranged at intervals. Most often used in agricultural fencing, where it is suitable for cattle but not horses or fleeced animals.
Bottom rail – Horizontal member of the framework running continuously along the bottom edge of the fence.
Brace band – A strip of metal shaped to fit around a post and used with a carriage bolt and nut to attach the rail end to the post. Also used for attaching barbed wire, tension wire, and other items to a terminal post.
Cantilever slide gate – Any horizontal slide gate spanning an opening, lacking a top or bottom support within that opening. It is counter-balanced with additional framework (weight) to support the gate while it is closed.
Center stop – A device to receive and hold the drop bar on a double gate.
Chain link – A fence made from steel posts and chain link fabric, typically galvanized but can be vinyl covered. Fabric wires run vertically and are bent and hooked together in a zig-zag pattern creating a diamond shape. Very commonly used commercially and can be topped with barbed wire for security.
Corner post – A post at the corner where two lines of fencing meet, usually at a 90-degree angle.
Deer fence – A fence 7½ to 8 feet high designed to prevent the passage of deer.
Diamond – The mesh opening formed by the woven wires in chain link fence fabric.
Diamond count – The number of diamond openings from one edge of the fabric to the other. The count of a given fabric shall begin at the first completed diamond at one edge and continue to the unfinished half or full opening at the other edge.
Double swing gate – A hinged gate with two leaves, most often used to gate driveways or other areas that demand a wide gate.
Drop bar – Component of a double gate latch assembly. (Sometimes called drop rod)
End post – A post that marks the end of a fence line, with holes on only one side for attaching rails. End posts are typically used as gate posts or terminal posts, such as where the fence abuts a house.
Fabric – Fencing material made from wire helically wound and interwoven in such a manner as to provide a continuous mesh without knots or ties except in the form of knuckling or of twisting the ends of wires to form the selvage of the fabric.
Fence line – The actual position of the fence.
Fence tie – Ties that are used in chain link fencing to attach the fence to the line posts.
Frame hinge – A fitting that attaches to the gate frame and functions with the post hinge to enable the gate to swing.
Framework – The basic structure supporting the installed fabric and gates, namely the posts, top rails, braces and bottom rail (when specified).
Galvanized – A protective zinc coating applied to steel or iron to prevent rusting. Can refer to steel fasteners, such as nails or screws, or steel fabric.
Galvanized after weaving (GAW) – In chain link fabric, describes steel fabric that is zinc coated after weaving.
Galvanized before weaving (GBW) – In chain link fabric, describes steel fabric that is zinc coated before weaving. This process provides a smoother fabric with a more uniform zinc coating, enhancing the rust protection.
Gate – Structure that allows access through the fence.
Gate frame – The structural members of the gate.
Gate latch – A fitting to hold the gate in place when closed.
Gate opening – The clear distance between the gate posts.
Gate post – The post to which a gate is attached by hinges and latches. It may also be used as a terminal post.
Gauge – Diameter of the coated wire used to make the fabric. The finer the wire, the higher the gauge. Also the thickness of the tubing or pipe used in the framework.
Height – In chain link fence, the distance before stretching from the top edge of knuckle or twist to the bottom edge of the knuckle or twist of the fabric.
High-tensile wire – Wire fencing made of strong wires that run horizontally through insulators, attached to fence posts.
Hog ring – A pre-formed open wire clip designed to close up into a ring to secure chain link fabric to horizontal tension wire.
Intermediate rail – Horizontal member of the framework running continuously at any point between the top and bottom of the fence (sometimes called middle rail).
Knotted – Mesh that is produced by knotting together steel wires that have been arranged vertically and horizontally.
Knuckle – The selvage obtained by interlocking adjacent pairs of wire ends and bending the wire back into a loop.
Lattice fencing: Wood fencing, usually cedar, constructed of prefabricated lattice panels.
Line post – A post located between terminal or end posts to provide support for the fence.
Line post cap – A cap or top with a loop used to position the top rail or tension wire on top of the line posts. (Also called loop cap)
Line rail clamp – A two-piece clamp with carriage bolts and nuts designed for 180 degree horizontal rail connections to a line post.
Loop cap – In chain link fencing, a cap for a line post that has a loop through which to pass the top rail or tension wire.
Mesh – Fencing which results from the connection of vertical and horizontal wires. Depending on the connection method and diameter of the wires used, the tighter the mesh weave, the more resistant. In chain link fabric, the clear distance between parallel wires forming the diamond.
Middle rail – Same as intermediate rail.
Offset hinge – A swing gate hinge that permits the gate to swing 180 degrees from the closed to the open position.
Ornamental fencing – Any fence that is made of, or imitates, a cast iron fence. Provides for traditional fencing needs with added aesthetic appeal.
Panel clamp – A two-piece clamp with carriage bolt and nut designed to secure prefabricated panels together.
Perimeter fence – Fence line around the outer boundary of a piece of property.
Picket – A vertical fence board or element that attaches to the rails. Pickets can be made from any material but are most commonly used in wood, aluminum, iron and vinyl fences, and are usually evenly spaced.
Pool code fence – Any fence that meets the local municipal requirements regarding pool fencing; i.e. height, space between pickets, anti-climb, direction of gates and height of the gate latch.
Post cap – A fitting that covers the top of a fence post, usually to exclude water from entering the post, but also used as a decorative element in vinyl and cedar.
Post hinge – A fitting that attaches to the gate post, and functions with the frame hinge receptor, permitting the gate to swing.
Post & rail – Any fence made from horizontal rails fastened to vertical posts.
Post & wire – A lower cost alternative to post & rail; when used for horses it should include a sight board.
Privacy fence – A fence with close fitting vertical pickets that block views into a yard or area.
PVC – Poly-vinyl chloride coating on fence materials.
Rail – A horizontal support element to which fence boards or pickets are attached. The distance between rails is known as rail spacing.
Rail end – A cup-shaped fitting used with a brace band to connect the top rail or brace to a post.
Rail end band – Same as brace band.
Rail spacing – The distance between the rails on a fence. In general, the more rails there are, the closer the spacing.
Raking – The installation of fence sections that allow the fence to follow the grade.
Section – The run of fence between two posts.
Selvage – The edge finish on woven chain link fabric joining pairs of pickets. The selvage may be knuckled or twisted (barbed). Standard selvage is K&K when the fabric is under 72″, and K&B when the fabric is 72″ high or above.
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Semi-private – Fence that provides a balance of privacy and airflow. Slight spacing between the pickets allows light and air to enter, while still offering just the right amount of privacy.
Sight board – A top board running between the posts on a fence constructed of posts and wire. A horse’s nearsightedness in combination with their size, startle reflex and tendency to run makes it imperative to install a ‘sight board’ so they don’t run into or through the wire fence.
Single swing gate: Any hinged gate that is built with only one leaf.
Sleeve, top rail – A fitting used to join two pieces of top rail together end to end, when a swaged top rail is not used.
Split Rail – A post and rail fence made from rough hewn wood, usually consisting of two or three horizontal rails that fit into notched posts.
Stair stepping – A method for installing fence on a steep grade, with uniform sections installed at different heights to create a stair-step appearance.
Stretching – The process of putting tension at the end of the fabric to make it hang uniformly and taught along the line of fence between terminal posts.
Swage – The formed end of a piece of top rail so that it will fit into and join another piece of top rail.
Tension band – In chain link fence, an offset strip of metal shaped to fit around the terminal post and used with a carriage bolt and nut to attach the tension bar to the post.
Tension bar – The bar used with tension bands or other post connectors to secure the fabric to a terminal post. The bar is slid down into the very last fabric lace where it is closest to the terminal post.
Tension wire – A wire, with or without a pattern on it. Typically used along the top of a chain link fence in place of a top rail or along the bottom of a chain link fence for additional security. (Sometimes called coil spring wire, or coil wire)
Terminal post – The load-bearing post for a line of fencing. The terminal post can be a corner, end or gate post.
Tie – Wire, clip, or band used to attach the fabric to the top rail and line posts.
Top rail – Horizontal member of the framework running from terminal post to terminal post on top of the line posts.
Truss rod – A tension rod, used for bracing in gates and at terminal posts. May be threaded at one or both ends or contain a turnbuckle for adjusting tension.
Turnbuckle – A tightening device used with an adjusting nut and a truss rod.
Vinyl fence – A prefabricated fence made of PVC plastic. Vinyl fencing can imitate a variety of fence designs, including post & rail, picket, lattice, and privacy. It tends to be easy to clean, resists weathering and has low maintenance requirements.
Wire fencing – Fencing constructed of lines of wire pulled tight between fence posts. Most often used for agricultural fencing needs.
Wood fencing – Any fence made from wood materials. Requires a higher level of maintenance than other fencing, in the form of painting or staining, to combat weathering.
Woven wire – Fencing made of smooth horizontal wire held together by vertical wires or “stays”. The horizontal spacing is closer toward the bottom and wider at the top. It is held in place with wood posts or metal T-posts. Suitable for horses and ideal for goats, sheep, pigs and poultry because these animals can squeeze through larger-spaced wire and dig under or climb over other fences.
Wrought iron – Fencing made of hardened, welded steel. More expensive than other fencing, but wrought iron fence is incredibly strong, long lasting and comes with the added options of ornamental design.
Congratulations! You are in the right place. We’ve outlined a handy glossary of common fence design and construction terms so that you can speak about your fence, and other fences, with authority— and get the fence you want. So hold on to your batten boards, stay posted, and you will have the foundation necessary to understand your fence and the interesting fences you see around town.
Fence similar in construction to iron fences, but made of aluminum. Although they bend easier than iron, aluminum fences are rust resistant, making them a better solution for areas with high salt-spray.
Wound steel wire with attached barbs. Barbed wire is used as a security measure on chain link fences to deter trespassers, or in agricultural fences to prevent livestock from escaping.
Structural wood fence addition. As wood fences age, their pickets will naturally dry out and shrink. Cedar batten boards are added between pickets during installation to cover gaps that naturally occur over a fence’s lifetime, ensuring maximum privacy.
Interwoven steel wire used for fences. Chain link is a durable, cost-effective material for fencing large areas, and is commonly used for fences around warehouses, storage facilities, cell phone tower sites, baseball fields, schools, and playgrounds.
Iron and aluminum fence design with curved, raised pickets. It is similar to an extended top design, but pickets curve at the top instead of extending straight up.
Fabricated iron used for custom iron fences and gates. Ornamental iron can be made into any shape a customer wants, but it is a more expensive option than standard iron designs. Popular applications include putting the name of a ranch or family surname on a driveway gate or fence, and using Texas stars or state silhouettes for decoration.
Metal rings placed between the pickets and rails on the top portion of an iron or aluminum fence for added aesthetic value.
Iron and aluminum fence design with raised pickets. On an extended top iron fence, the pickets rise over the rails, creating a top row of pickets between the posts.
Similar to post caps, finials are decorative additions for iron and aluminum fences designed to sit atop each individual picket. Designs vary but include Triad, Quad Flare, and Fleur de lis.
Iron and aluminum fence design where pickets do not rise above the top rail. Flat top iron fences create a clean, uniform line at the top of the fence.
Rust-resistant steel used for iron and chain link fence materials. Galvanized steel is treated with a layer of zinc to prevent oxidization and rust. Galvanized steel can withstand moisture in most climates except where there is heavy salt-spray .
Used to measure any thickness of metal. The lower a gauge is, the thicker the material will be. For example, most residential chain link is 11.5 ga and commercial chain link fences are typically 9 gauge, while a chain link fence that sees repeated physical contact, such as a baseball backstop fence, may be a thicker 6 gauge to prevent damage and warping.
Fence that alternates the “bad” rail side and “good” picket side of the fence every 7 feet. Good-neighbor fences provide the same amount of rail and picket side for each neighbor’s fence, negating disagreements about who gets which side of the fence.
These are specific methods used to fence hilly or contoured areas. Different slope types, or grade changes, are used to address the change in elevation over the length of a fence.
Wood fence design. Horizontal picket fences have the same post configuration as a standard wood fence, but the pickets run horizontal and attach to the posts instead of to the rails. Vertical rails are used to add extra stability to the horizontal pickets.
Design feature normally placed at the top or bottom of wood fences. Lattice is formed by criss-crossing planks of wood to create an open grid pattern offering a view of a fence’s surroundings.
Structural element of wood, iron, and aluminum fences. Pickets are the dominant visual element of most fences. They generally run vertically and are situated on the fence rails that run between fence posts. Pickets can also be fastened horizontally , which is a new, popular trend for wood fences.
Structural element of all fences. Posts are the load bearers of a fence and keep the fence upright. The bottom portion of posts are buried into the soil and normally anchored by concrete. Rails are attached to posts so that pickets can be placed between the posts to complete the fence. There are 3 types of posts used on fences. Terminal posts are at the start and end point of a fence, corner posts are placed at every bend of a fence line, and line posts are any post in between terminal and corner posts.
Post serve a functional purpose of closing the top of round and square post tubing to prevent water from collecting. In addition to it’s functionality there are a few options for decorative post caps.
Prefabricated panels are iron or aluminum fence panels made in a factory with galvanized material and typically powder coated. The advantage of prefabricated panels is that welds are done in a controlled environment and coated creating a much longer lifespan than traditional iron fences welded in the field and painted.
Iron and aluminum fence design with spear-like tops on pickets.
Colored plastic slats for chain link fences that are used to decrease visibility and sometimes for aesthetics. Privacy slats primarily come in green, brown, tan, or black, but custom colors and options are available.
Iron and aluminum fence panels used to follow grade. Their patented design allows the pickets to remain vertical, while rails follow grade.
Structural element of wood, iron, and aluminum fences. Rails run between fence posts and secure pickets to the fence. Rails run horizontally across the top and bottom of fences and are generally kept to one side of the fence unless certain designs, such as a good-neighbor fence , are specified.
Wood fence design used primarily for rural and agricultural fences. Ranch style fences have open spaces between the posts and pickets so while they don’t provide privacy, they are a cost effective solution for fencing wide open areas.
Similar in function to barbed wire, razor ribbon is a flattened piece of steel with sharp sections stamped out of it creating a razor blade look and feel. Razor ribbon is primarily for security on fences to deter trespassers from climbing over or crawling under a fence.
Rot boards are at the bottom of fences, beneath the pickets. Typically used on wood fences, rot boards funnel moisture away from the cedar pickets to extend the pickets’ lifespan.
Salt content in the air that speeds up rusting on iron fences. Areas near large bodies of water, such as the Gulf Coast area, have high concentrations of salt spray.
Aluminized Steel – Galvanized steel coated with an aluminum top layer. Aluminized steel is mostly used for chain link fences in areas of high salt spray- such as the Gulf Coast- to prevent rust.
Wood fence design where pickets are cut to create a curved contour at the top of the fence. The pickets are cut to different lengths to create the scalloped design.
Fence design similar in concept to a good-neighbor fence . Shadowbox Fences alternates each individual picket one-for-one on each side of the fence, whereas a good-neighbor fence alternates entire sections of pickets.
Protective and decorative finish for wood fences. Stains apply color to wood fences while allowing the pickets’ natural wood grain to show through. Most stains come in neutral, wood-tone colors like tan, brown, and red, but custom colors can be applied. A well-stained wood fence has an increased lifespan over a non-stained fence.
Pine that has been treated with a fungicide and insecticide. Treated pine is primarily used for fence posts since it can withstand the fluctuating moisture content of soil.
Treated lumber planks used to close off the area between fence pickets and the ground. Underpinning is primarily used when a fence is a built on uneven terrain to close gaps that pets or small children could escape through.
“Vinyl Coated” describes chain link fences with a vinyl coating applied. Vinyl coated chain link provides a softer surface than bare chain link and is ideal for chain link fences in areas with lots of children, such as playgrounds. The vinyl coating reduces abrasions and scrapes from contact with chain link. Also limits exposure of the metal to the elements.
Wood from the coniferous western red cedar tree. Western red cedar is an ideal fence material for Houston and surrounding Gulf Coast areas due to its ability to maintain a consistent moisture content even in high humidity and heavy rains. Western red cedar also contains natural oils that repel wood burrowing insects.
Chain link or iron fence add-on used to deflect wind or to increase privacy. Wind screens come in different transparency levels and can be used to reduce visibility or prevent passersby from seeing inside your fence. Wind screens are typically used inside construction sites.
Number system for grading the quality of a wood picket. Higher grades come from the center of the tree, while lower grades are found near the outside edge of the tree.
#2 Grade – Industry standard for fence boards both cedar and treated pine. This grade does have knots and imperfections. Typically has holes and knots.
Clear Grade – The highest wood grade and has no knots or holes
#1 Grade – the second highest fence grade. #1 grade pickets have some knots, but fewer than
#2
#3 Grade
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