Concrete fence: the 9 key disadvantages

A concrete fence has numerous advantages. Including the function as privacy and sound protection. However, concrete fences also have significant disadvantages. You can find out what these are here.

Definition: concrete fence

Concrete fences are slabs of concrete that are connected to one another by posts. The supports are built into the ground. This is not a permanent assembly in the true sense of the word. The advantage of this is that a permit is often easier to obtain.

permit

Whether you want to build a fence or a wall: In any case, you must find out about the applicable guidelines in advance. Because the permissible amount depends on the municipality and possibly even on the residential area or the garden club concerned. If it is a concrete fence, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with it.

The advantage is that it is often not considered permanent. However, the supports are set in concrete and the fence looks like a wall, so that the specifications can be interpreted differently.

Tip: The building authority, which can be reached via the city administration or the municipal office, is responsible. In gardening associations, the board of directors should also be consulted.

Soundproofing

One advantage of the concrete fence is that it can have a soundproofing effect. However, this only applies to heights of 1.5 to 2.0 meters. In the case of lower variants, this effect is not given, nor is the privacy screen.

Since such a high delimitation is by no means allowed in all communities, residential areas and gardening associations, the price for the fence is comparatively high and the benefit is low.

Possible damage

Due to the relatively high weight of the individual concrete slabs, storm damage can have serious consequences. If a bracket comes loose due to a high wind speed, the plate can fall over and, for example, damage or destroy plants in the process. More expensive damage is also possible. Including damage to:

• Cars and other vehicles
• building
• Sidewalks

Even injuries to humans and animals are possible. Compared to a wooden or wire fence, the risk is higher.

maintenance

In order to keep the risk of damage low and to extend the life of the concrete fence, you should carry out regular checks. Please check:

• Foundations
• Mounts
• plates
• links

Replacing or repairing individual elements in good time can save costs and effort. The time required for this is, however, longer than with a fence made of wood and metal or a wall. Therefore, this point is clearly one of the disadvantages.

Construction effort

Even though the elements are ready-made, assembly still requires some preparation and a great deal of work. The construction alone is not possible due to the weight. Erecting a wall or building a wooden fence, on the other hand, can easily be carried out by one person with the appropriate knowledge.

High weight

One of the disadvantages is that the individual plates are very heavy. This makes delivery and handling considerably more difficult. With a stone wall, just like with a wooden fence, the individual elements can also be moved separately and take up less space. This makes it possible, for example, to take over the transport yourself and use your own vehicle or a small van is sufficient. That can cut costs.

optics

Concrete fences come in a wide variety of colors and designs. Nevertheless, the look is comparatively artificial, even with high-quality and therefore expensive designs. Building a wall out of natural stone looks much more natural. Even a wooden fence as a privacy screen is visually softer due to the grain and fits better into the garden.

Care and cleaning

As a rule, natural stones do not need cleaning at all. A brush or a high-pressure cleaner can be used when moss or deposited dirt accumulates. You only have to pay attention to the joints so that the mortar is not damaged. However, this can easily be repaired if necessary. Various agents can also be used with wood. Including:

• Grayer
• paint
• glaze
• oil

They freshen up the color and can increase the life of the material. The situation is similar for metal, for example as a double rod mat. Fresh paint can be applied at any time. In addition, individual elements can be exchanged more easily.

In the case of concrete fences, the repair of damage, such as cracks or broken pieces, is a little more time-consuming. Damage can also be seen very quickly on edges, corners and on the surface. Mending or repairing requires a lot of effort and often does not fit seamlessly into the overall look.

The cleaning is then also more difficult, since damage can be caused by a brush as well as by high pressure and repaired areas quickly fall out again.

Changes

Changes in color or planting with climbing plants can occur Fences of wood or metal quickly create a visual change. This is not so easy with concrete fences. Although they can be painted and planted with a climbing aid, the effort involved is increased.

disposal

If individual elements or the entire fence have to be replaced, disposal is also an issue. There are some problems with the size. Corresponding factors are:

• Dimensions
• weight
• Disposal costs
• transport

A big effort is required with a two meter high fence. This applies to labor as well as time and money.

Tip: It is often cheaper to rent a container and have it disposed of in this way. The costs seem high at first, but save many hours of work.