Sustainable Fencing: eco-friendly, highly durable, and totally gorgeous
What if we told you that it’s possible to find a fence for your yard that checks off all the boxes on your wishlist — one that’s sustainably made, highly durable, and totally gorgeous? Now, what if we told you there are a lot of different options to choose from? Adding a new fence, or replacing a fence that’s well beyond its time, is one way to totally transform any yard. But if you think your only option is the wood or chainlink fences you pass by every day, think again. Woven hurdles, recycled composite fences, and living privacy tree lines are just some of the many eco-friendly fencing options you’re about to discover. Even traditional wood fences can be an excellent sustainable fencing option when you choose an FSC-certified manufacturer. Read on for our top picks for eco-friendly fencing options — some of which may truly surprise you!
1: Cali Bamboo Natural Bamboo Fencing
Form and function have finally united in the world of fences! Aesthetically pleasing, durable, and easy to install, Cali Bamboo fencing inspires us to rethink the possibilities of what a fence can be. These gorgeous fences are made from the strongest, most environmentally sustainable wood product on Earth, and their beauty completely transforms any yard’s ambiance.
Bamboo just might be the perfect sustainable fencing alternative. Although it resembles wood aesthetically, bamboo is actually a member of the grass family, so it regenerates extremely quickly as compared to trees. In fact, bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet — depending on the type of bamboo and the region, it can grow up to 3 feet per day!
These eco-friendly fences aren’t just highly sustainable, they’re stunning. A bamboo fence makes a style statement that no other fence can. Plus, choosing bamboo helps reduce deforestation, so it’s a fencing choice you can truly feel good about. Our favorite part about Cali Bamboo fences: the natural and unbridled appearance of the bamboo rods coming together at different intervals. Cali Bamboo also produces gorgeous bamboo decking and flooring, so you can experience the benefits of bamboo in many different ways.
2. Biocomposite Fencing from Natures Composites
Biocomposite building materials are wholly or partially made up of organic materials. They produce eco-friendly fences by nature, since they make use of renewable resources as well as recycled materials—and Natures Composites fencing is a perfect example. It’s made of a combination of recycled plastic and natural wheat straw, a waste product of grain harvests. Natures Composites fencing pickets cut and screw like wood with standard woodworking tools, and no painting or sealing is required. The color is through-and-through and will fade into the desired look.
Tough, sustainable fencing from Natures Composites is environmentally safe because the recycled HDPE plastic (think shampoo bottles, bottle caps, and milk jugs) is long lasting and considered to be a low-hazard plastic. It’s this plastic component that shields the fence from moisture and splitting. The result is a fence that lasts much longer than most wood fences, all while requiring no maintenance besides an occasional cleaning with soap and water. It’s a natural wood appearance without all the worries!
3: Natural Fencing Woven Hurdles
Take one glance at a woven hurdle fence, and you may feel transported to a centuries-old scene of rolling green hills and medieval British countryside. The hurdle fence has been used to fence off areas for cattle for thousands of years, as well as providing structure for ancient round houses. It’s this long history that gives hurdle fences the appearance of an ancient craft — one that’s nearly been lost. But the strength, functionality, and beauty of this fence style are driving a hurdle revival that’s sweeping the nation and the world.
From what we’ve seen, Natural Fencing may just be the cream of the crop when it comes to hurdles. The environment is the main inspiration and driving factor behind Natural Fencing’s work, and it shows. The company has won three national environmental awards, and for good reason — sustainability practices are at the core of what they do. Natural Fencing safeguards local forests, only harvesting at appropriate times of the year and on a sustainable basis. And the effortlessly natural appearance of the woven wood is hard to beat! Plus, hurdle fences are incredibly durable, especially in extreme winds. The natural gaps in the woven texture allow wind to pass through, so you’ll never see your fence blown down.
4: AltruWood Responsibly-Sourced Fencing
If you’re dreaming of solid-wood fencing, don’t settle for anything less than a wood fencing supplier like AltruWood. AltruWood’s company headquarters are located in Portland, OR, and they find joy every day in experiencing the beauty of forests and the necessity of sustainable harvesting practices.
AltruWood’s AltruCedar eco-friendly fences are made from premium 100% FSC-Certified Western Red cedar. A Northwest gem, this cedar type is prized for its rich, warm colors and its ability to withstand years of outdoor exposure. The craftsmanship of this fence is truly remarkable — from sustainably-sourced wood nonetheless. That’s exactly the kind of fence that you can feel good about every time it catches your eye. Choosing an AltruCedar fence means you’ll get to enjoy the beauty of the famous Pacific Northwest forests for yourself!
5: Privacy Trees and Shrubs
If privacy is the main objective of your fence, consider planting the greenest of them all: a living privacy fence, made from trees or hedges. We think this eco-friendly fencing option takes the cake for most visually stunning! A privacy tree line will effortlessly blend in with the rest of your yard’s scenery, and planting trees has the added benefit of filtering out CO2 from the atmosphere.
Privacy Trees Inc. specializes in trees and shrubs for any privacy-fence need. No matter what type of plant fence you’re seeking, we can almost guarantee you’ll find the perfect privacy tree line to incorporate into your yard. From the tall and slender Thuja Green Giant (it grows up to 5 feet per year!), to the robust, tri-colored Dappered Willow, to the totally maintenance-free Juniper Skyrocket — we know you’ll have a blast perusing these living fences and imagining how your yard would look with each!
6: Centennial Woods Reclaimed Wood Fencing
In a way, reclaimed wood products are doubly sustainable: they make use of wood that might otherwise go to waste, while reducing the need for newly-harvested wood from forests. As a bonus, a lot of reclaimed wood comes with an enchanting aged appearance that brand new wood simply can’t emulate.
Ever wondered, “Where can I get reclaimed wood?” The answer: Centennial Woods, a reclaimed wood source that ships reclaimed wood for any project to nearly anywhere in the world. All reclaimed wood planks from Centennial are 100% FSC-certified, because they’re salvaged from Wyoming snow fences. They’ve naturally aged and cured for years, enduring both blistering winters and extreme summers.
This is exactly what makes Centennial Woods reclaimed wood perfect for outdoor sustainable fencing applications. All Centennial wood is completely chemical-free, with no harmful VOCs or hazardous sealants often found in new wood fences. And because the wood has naturally cured from years of dutiful use, there’s no need for energy-intensive kiln drying. Hence, all Centennial Wood products are carbon-negative.
7: Trex Composite Fencing
Not many fence companies can say that they’ve yet to fell a single tree to produce their products, but Trex is one of the companies that can. Trex recycled composite fences are made from an innovative blend of recycled wood and plastic that allows for a truly incredible amount of recycled content — 96%, to be exact. Yes, you read that correctly! Trex composite fences are almost entirely recycled.
The recycled wood in Trex eco-friendly fences is combined with recycled plastic bags from a variety of nationwide sources. These might be the overwrap on paper towels, dry cleaner bags, sandwich bags, newspaper sleeves, and shopping bags. Here’s an interesting fact: the average 100-linear foot Trex composite fence contains 140,000 recycled plastic bags! This figure is no joke. In fact, Trex is one of the largest plastic bag recyclers in the nation. Talk about a conversation piece!
These incredibly innovative fences qualify for LEED certification points, but they’ll add value to any home.
8: SimTek Ecostone Recycled Content Fencing
SimTek’s Ecostone fences aren’t really made out of stone — but you wouldn’t know that based on their appearance and incredible durability! SimTek sustainable fencing has truly revolutionized fence manufacturing. The patented design of rotationally molded fencing creates a realistic stone appearance without sacrificing superior performance.
Seriously, this fence does not mess around. It can withstand hurricane-force winds over 100mph, as well as extreme temperatures between -40° and 140°F. What’s more, Ecostone boasts an incredible sound rating, blocking 98% of direct sound. As is usually the case for recycled-content fences, Ecostone fences require no maintenance whatsoever. None. That means no painting, staining, or dealing with warps or cracks.
What could be more sustainable than investing in a product that will virtually never need repairs or replacing? Further, Ecostone fences boast a high amount of recycled content. Each Ecostone fence contains recycled plastic, saving millions of plastic bags from landfills. Ecostone stands out as a highly durable recycled fence with a truly unique appearance!