How to Pick a Fence that Withstands High Winds

Georgia gets pretty windy from time to time, and there may be the occasional tropical storm or hurricane that scrapes by the coast every once in a while. And if you have a weakly installed fence all it takes is one instance of powerful winds to blow the wood over. So how do you pick a fence that will withstand high winds if your area is prone to stronger gusts?

Best Fence for Windy Areas

The most apparent answer to how to prevent wind from being damaged in high winds is having one with a design that allows wind to flow through the fence. However, in the case that you want a privacy fence it may not be the most ideal solution, so you can find a balance between privacy and wind resistance. Or reinforce the fence to withstand the high winds.

The best type of fence that can withstand the wind is a wire mesh fence, or a chain link type of fence. There are plenty of openings in the wire mesh that allow wind to blow through, while also being sturdy and rigid to serve as a proper fence. They also come in a number of styles to suit your design needs. If you want the best fence for extremely windy areas this is probably the one you’ll want to go with if it fits with your stylistic vision.

However, if you’re looking for a wooden fence rather than a wire fence you may be asking yourself what is the best wood fence for windy areas?

Best Wood Fence for High Winds

There are a few types of fences that can handle higher winds such as a picket fence with spaces in between. That is if privacy is of no concern with regards to the fence. A trellis style fence or lattice fence is similar to the wire mesh fencing in that it allows wind to blow through openings and has a similar styling, except it’s made of wood.

The trellis fence type is perfect for dissipating wind pressure that comes with high wind. You can even reinforce the fence with concrete posts or use the trellis as a topper for a different style of fence rather than a full height panel.

Wind proof fence

The best way to achieve a windproof type of fence is through having the kinds that let wind pass through combined with proper installation and reinforced posts with concrete, or having concrete fence posts instead of wooden ones. Proper installation means your fence posts are deep enough to withstand high winds, providing better stability. The general rule is having a post length of 3 feet anchored underground.

More Wind Resistant Fence Deesigns

Slatted Fence Panels

Aside from chain link fences and trellis fences slatted fence panels also work as a balance between wind resistance and privacy. These are horizontal boards fixed in rows with small gaps between the boards which allows wind to pass through. These offer a contemporary look with more privacy than other types of wind resistance fences, so they are the ideal privacy fence for high wind areas.

Hit & Miss Fence Panels

The hit and miss fencing style has boards that alternate on different sides of the panel, providing spacing in between each board. The overall look when facing the fence appears to be solid, but the gaps between the boards give it good wind resistance since it can blow through more easily. You can also opt to have a trellis fence type of boarding on top to add some style. However, though they provide some additional protection versus wind the gaps aren’t that substantial so they aren’t ideal for more powerful wind.

Best Wood Fence for High Wind

Cedar wood is a common hardwood that stands up well to wind. This type of wood is known for its strength and durability, so combined with proper fence installation in a windy area and the right design you will have a good fence for any weather.

Iron Fences for Strong Winds

Iron fences or wrought iron fences are good for strong winds because the designs have narrow staggered bars that don’t provide much for wind to catch on. These types of fences rarely get damaged by strong winds, plus iron has great strength and durability naturally.

Steel fences are also among the strongest fences available, so they also perform extremely well in high wind areas.

Securing Loose Objects for Storm Proof Fencing

Though you can have the best windproof fence possible if a sizable object flies into it during heavy winds and storms there’s not much that can be done. So in the case of the wind picking up speed or during a tropical storm or hurricane it’s best to store lawn chairs, barbecues or other large items to stop them from bashing into fences and other things. If they are too big to move they can also be secured to the ground with stakes or bungee cords.

Trees can also be hazardous if they aren’t properly trimmed. Overhanging branches can fall and crush a fence, or if the tree is weak or diseased it can fall and do some damage to your fence, or your car or house depending on the location of the tree.

Maintaining a Fence for Long Term Windproofing

Fences need maintenance just like anything else in life. Though we do our best to have high quality, durable, and long lasting materials, finishes and styles, there will always come a time when maintenance is needed. Checking for any loose boards, posts or panels is a good step, and replacing any of these promptly. Washing any mold that might be growing on it and spraying weed or insect repellant to ward off bugs or critters is another way to maintain a fence. If your fence isn’t already sealed and stained, it’s a good idea to get this done within a year of installation. Wood stains help protect a fence from the suns rays and waterproof the wood to repel water. They also help prevent cracking, splitting and protect the natural color of the wood.

Hurricane proof privacy fence

We don’t have to worry about hurricanes often, and if they come to the coast of Georgia they will usually weaken the storm by the time it’s in reach of Atlanta. However, hurricane winds may happen every once in a while, so is there a way to get a truly hurricane proof fence?

Preparing for the storm you can simply add hurricane straps to reinforce it, or single braces with stakes driven into the ground for added reinforcement. It’s also important to remove any signs that can catch wind and weaken the stakes. Bracing any gates in the open position so the wind can go through the opening rather than pushing against the fence. The most important factor though will be during the installation of the fence. Using steel or concrete posts that are set 3 feet deep and no more than 7 feet apart during installation will make for the most secure fences you can have.

Picking a Fence that withstands High Winds

Ultimately you’ll have to survey the risks of high winds in your area, and how realistically you’ll need wind proof fence designs and installation. We get a few windy storms from time to time in Atlanta, so you will have to use your best judgment on the level of windproofed fence you’ll get for your home.

Chamblee Fence has plenty of experience evaluating homes, and installing wind proof fences to last. You can get an instant fence estimation here or call us at (770) 648-2728