Masonry fences aren’t as popular as wood fences or vinyl fences, but they may be the perfect option for your property. Masonry fences are beautiful and great for soundproofing, but they can be expensive to install/maintain. Compare the pros and cons of masonry fences below so you can decide what’s right for you.
What Is a Masonry Fence?
A masonry fence is constructed of brick or stone, similar to brick siding on a house. This requires special tools and skills that are vastly different than traditional fencing. The bricks or stones are laid in a staggered pattern and secured together with mortar, while traditional fencing is held together with screws. Masonry fences create a solid wall around the property, even more so than a standard privacy fence. That may or may not fit your goals.
Benefits of Masonry Fences
Masonry fences are beautiful and durable. Bricks can last 100 years or more with proper maintenance, but wood can only last a couple decades. It’s hard to deny the beauty of masonry fencing as well. The colors and textures add a unique design element to the property.
Masonry fences are perfect for soundproofing. If you live near a busy street, having a masonry fence may make your yard feel more private, quiet and enclosed. This is why you often see walls of brick or concrete along neighborhoods, because they help cut off the noise from vehicles on the main roads.
Masonry fencing comes in a wide range of colors, and it may help your property stand out in the neighborhood. Just be aware of the cons listed below before you settle in on a fence material.
Drawbacks to Masonry Fences
Despite the beauty and stability of masonry, this material isn’t ideal for most budgets. Masonry fences cost much more to install than wood or vinyl fencing, both in terms of labor and materials. Bricks weigh much more than wood, so they require extra footing and support. This too will contribute to the cost of fencing.
Masonry fences aren’t maintenance-free either. As the ground shifts, so will the masonry fence. This may lead to cracking and buckling, depending on how severe the shift is. Standard fencing materials are more flexible than brick and mortar, thus allowing for movement without damage. Masonry can withstand impact more, but wood can handle the gradual shifts below ground.
If you have a small yard, a masonry fence may make it feel too closed off. You’re creating a solid wall around your yard that doesn’t allow for any light penetration or wind. With other privacy fence materials, you can let in the elements and let the yard breathe.
With regards to return on investment, masonry is rarely the way to go. This is an important consideration if you’re going to sell your home in the future. You’ll likely be better off with a less expensive and more common fencing material that will appeal to an assortment of buyers. Most buyers won’t pay an extra premium for a house with a masonry fence.
A Hybrid Solution: Masonry Posts with Wood or Vinyl Pickets
Your entire fence doesn’t have to be a wall of bricks. Instead, you could take a hybrid approach where you use brick fence posts and wood or vinyl fence pickets. The posts are the vertical components of the fence that attach to the ground. They are typically 4×4 boards or metal poles, but they can be masonry pillars instead.
You could get the beauty of brick without seeing an entire wall of it or making the yard feel too closed off. This also creates better visual contrast because the bricks add a pop of detail against the single-colored fence pickets. Furthermore, this can cut down on labor expenses and materials. The bricks may still be subject to routine maintenance, just like any fencing, but you won’t have an entire fence of brick to maintain.
How to Choose the Best Fence for Your Property
If you love the look of masonry fencing and don’t mind the added cost, go for it! Just make sure you find a licensed, insured and experienced company to do the job for you. Proper installation is key to long-lasting results.
If you’d prefer a fence with a high ROI or you like the look of wood, metal or vinyl better, choose that instead. You know your budget and property needs better than anyone. Find a balance of pricing, appearance and durability that most aligns with your situation.
Select a licensed and insured fence company with a good reputation. You don’t have to pay a fortune to get the care and quality you deserve. If you’d like a fence quote from All Around Fence, please contact us at (443) 838-9374.
