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Website about concrete: construction, characteristics, design. We combine the experience of professionals and private craftsmen in one place
Concrete fence
A do-it-yourself concrete fence is not the simplest and most cost-effective option for installing a building envelope on a site, but it is the most reliable and durable. Due to the fact that concrete itself is a “flexible” material, there are many variations in the construction of a fence from it.
Let's consider the existing types and the most profitable and accessible way of constructing such a fence.
- Reinforced concrete
Types of concrete fences
Concrete is loved by many builders primarily because it gives freedom of choice in the installation method that will satisfy every taste and budget.
Monolithic
Monolithic concrete fence
The photo above shows the simplest and most reliable type of monolithic fence. It can only be destroyed with special equipment. And if you make the height good, then not a single athlete with a pole will overcome it.
This is probably why such enclosing structures are most often erected in places that are not so remote and at industrial sites. But this does not at all prevent you from building a similar fence on your site.
Monolithic concrete fence with polycarbonate canopy
It is built from sand concrete or reinforced concrete - there are no strict restrictions. Here, as they say, there is complete freedom of choice. Reproduction of work is a piece of cake for a novice concrete worker. But for a person who has never worked in such an area, it’s a “task with an asterisk,” if not two.
Making a reliable foundation, setting up the formwork correctly, preparing good concrete and pouring it efficiently - all this requires certain knowledge and skill. If there are none, then it is best to turn to experienced craftsmen for help or abandon this idea in favor of a prefabricated concrete fence.
Made
Concrete fences
A stacked fence has a fairly broad definition and includes several types of structures:
- Reinforced concrete fence elements made of concrete are produced only in specialized factories. They are prefabricated slabs that have quite impressive dimensions. Often, under the Soviets, precisely these impenetrable fences were built.
For their installation, in most cases, a reliable foundation is required (depending on the type of reinforced concrete products and soil). More expensive tape can be replaced with foundation pads. To prevent gaps from forming between the fence and the ground, it is necessary to dig them in, which additionally entails labor and monetary costs.
Set elements for reinforced concrete fence
In general, such prefabricated elements are not suitable for self-assembly, since it is impossible to do without the involvement of riggers and special equipment.
But in terms of time, this is the most quickly erected concrete fence.
- Euro fences made of concrete are mega popular today. They consist of individual decorative elements of various modifications. With their help, you can create a neat openwork fence for the front garden or build up an impenetrable solid wall.
This type of fence is quite acceptable both for self-assembly and for manufacturing. Only to implement the latter is it necessary to have specialized equipment and forms.
Note! At the same time, the technology of concrete for Eurofence itself is quite simple and resembles the process of manufacturing vibro-cast tiles. The composition of concrete for a European fence is also no secret and has a strength grade of M250 - M350. In this case, ordinary reinforced sand concrete is used.
Euro fence made of concrete
- A block concrete fence is another variation of a prefabricated fence. The principle of its construction is similar to the construction of walls - the foundation strip is poured, the first corner blocks are placed, and continuous masonry with ligation begins. Quite a costly and “tedious” construction process. Although, whatever suits you.
Universal
Concrete fence with metal decorative panel
Concrete fences also include combined fencing. As a rule, they consist of a concrete base, pillars and additional decorative parts.
The latter can have various modifications:
- blocks;
- metal;
- profiled sheet;
- brick;
- tree;
- polycarbonate;
- gabion;
- Rabitz.
Advantages
Another popular material for installing a fence is brick, which is also reliable and does not require complex solutions when laying it. However, bricklaying resembles a routine job and requires a lot of time. These problems can also be successfully solved by choosing a concrete fence, which will be an excellent alternative to a brick fence:
- Sustainability. The reinforced concrete section is a solid structure that can withstand significant mechanical stress that is beyond the strength of brickwork.
- Material benefit. A reinforced concrete fence does not require the construction of a foundation along the entire perimeter of the fence installation.
- Aesthetics. A concrete fence can be made in any color and surface texture compared to a brick wall which has a limited design.
- And most importantly, the installation of a concrete fence is characterized by simplicity: its laying occurs much faster than a brick wall, and does not include complex elements.
What kind of concrete can a fence be made from?
In our country, concrete fences have been built since time immemorial. Even today you can find fences made of Sovdepov reinforced concrete. Progress has made it possible to move a little away from the classic combination of heavy concrete and metal, creating new variations of such fencing.
Reinforced concrete
Precast concrete fence
A fence made of heavy concrete with metal reinforcement is a classic of the genre. Typically, real concrete products are cast from such material in factories or enterprises equipped with special equipment. They are less often made by hand, since working with heavy concrete, namely compacting it, is much more difficult than ordinary sand concrete.
Prefabricated reinforced concrete slabs for fences
If vibration is of poor quality, coarse aggregate appears on the surface. It looks, to put it mildly, not aesthetically pleasing. You have to lubricate, refine, and stretch out the entire surface. In principle, such inconveniences are more than compensated by their unshakable strength and almost eternal service life.
Therefore, if you decide to install cast concrete fences with your own hands, then purchase factory products supplied with quality certificates. And don’t forget to provide a solid foundation for them.
Cellular concrete
Lightweight concrete fencing
Increasingly, on private property you can find fences made of foam concrete or gas silicate.
It is not entirely clear what developers are guided by when choosing this particular material:
- Reliability. Anyone who has ever encountered foam concrete knows that its density is quite low, and the block itself is easily pressed through. Aerated concrete is a little stronger, but still, the situation is dire. With good diligence, using a crowbar can crush a foam concrete fence. Unless, of course, it is additionally lined with brick or decorative concrete blocks. Again, we can mention the installation of the gate in a fragile cellular body, from which almost any fastener will simply crumble over time.
- Quality. Probably everyone knows that cellular concrete is very sensitive to external atmospheric influences. Therefore, if you make a fence from aerated concrete or foam blocks, then only with high-quality cladding on both sides.
- Price. In addition to the above conditions, mandatory reinforcement of the masonry will be added. So the final price of the fence will be approximately equal to prefabricated reinforced concrete and decorative products.
Foam block fence
Don’t be flattered by the apparent cheapness of a foam block fence. The process of its construction, repair and operation will be more expensive than expected. In addition, for such a fence it is necessary to install a strip foundation, which will also pay off in your wallet.
Pressed concrete
Pressed concrete fence elements
A fence made of pressed concrete is not a new phenomenon, but still not known to everyone. Such structures are fencing elements made of sand concrete using semi-dry vibrocompression. Paving slabs are also produced in the same way.
This production method, due to the use of a minimal amount of water, allows you to produce concrete:
- with good strength;
- sufficient frost resistance;
- durability.
Another advantage that such ready-made concrete fences have is that it is not necessary to install a strip foundation. Depending on the project, the pillars are simply concreted and fencing sheets made of some material are installed.
Sand concrete fence posts
If we talk about shortcomings, then in terms of quality or installation characteristics, they have not been identified. However, of all fence elements, only pillars are produced in this way so far. If you look at it from the other side, then there is an excellent opportunity to implement creative or budget fencing options.
Fiber concrete
Fence lined with fiber-reinforced concrete blocks
Fiber-reinforced concrete products are a new trend in domestic construction. This material combines elegant plasticity, excellent compressive strength and good frost resistance. And the cost of such material is lower than the reinforced concrete we are used to.
Glass fiber reinforced concrete fence element
Polypropylene fiber or glass fiber is used to reinforce concrete. The latter is characterized by greater adhesion to the working mixture and reinforcing ability. Therefore, fences made of glass fiber reinforced concrete are more popular.
In addition, the forms into which fences for glass fiber reinforced concrete are poured can be of various modifications, even with the smallest elements.
