Understanding common fence terminology helps you communicate clearly with contractors, read quotes accurately, and make informed decisions about your project. Here are 20+ fence industry terms every Ohio homeowner should know.
B
- Board-on-Board
- A wood fence style where boards overlap alternately on both sides of the rail, providing full privacy from both sides and a symmetrical appearance.
- Bracing
- Horizontal or diagonal supports added to fence corners and gate posts to prevent racking and maintain structural integrity over time.
C
- Cap Rail
- A horizontal board or vinyl channel that runs along the top of a fence, covering the tops of pickets or boards and providing a finished appearance.
- Chain Link
- A type of woven wire fence made from galvanized or vinyl-coated steel, widely used for security and pet containment.
- Corner Post
- A fence post installed at a change in direction, requiring additional bracing to withstand tension and lateral forces.
F
- Fence Line
- The intended path of a fence, typically running along property lines. Establishing the correct fence line (using a survey) is critical to avoid disputes.
- Footing
- A concrete-filled post hole that anchors fence posts below the frost line, preventing movement from freeze-thaw cycles.
- Frost Line
- The depth to which soil freezes in winter. In Ohio, the frost line is typically 36–42 inches. Posts must be set below this depth to prevent frost heave.
G
- Galvanization
- A zinc-coating process applied to steel wire and chain-link to prevent rust. Hot-dip galvanizing provides the most durable protection.
- Gate Post
- A larger, heavier post installed at gate openings to support the weight and movement of the gate. Gate posts require deeper footings and larger dimensions than line posts.
L
- Line Post
- A standard fence post installed between corner and gate posts, spaced at regular intervals (typically 6–8 feet) along the fence run.
- Linear Foot
- The standard unit of measurement for fencing. One linear foot equals one foot of fence length, regardless of height. Fence projects are priced per linear foot.
P
- Panel
- A pre-assembled section of fencing (typically 6 or 8 feet wide) that is installed between posts. Vinyl and aluminum fencing commonly use panels.
- Picket
- A vertical board or rail in a fence. "Picket fence" typically refers to decorative pointed-top boards spaced with gaps between them.
- Post Cap
- A decorative or functional cap placed on top of fence posts to shed water and add a finished appearance.
- Privacy Slats
- Plastic or aluminum strips woven through chain-link fence fabric to add visual privacy while retaining the structural fence.
R
- Racking
- The process of adjusting fence panels to follow a slope or grade change, rather than stepping down in flat sections. Common in hilly Ohio terrain.
- Rail
- A horizontal board connecting fence posts, to which pickets or boards are attached. Most fences use 2–3 rails.
S
- Setback
- The minimum required distance between a fence and the property line, sidewalk, or road right-of-way, as defined by local zoning codes.
- Shadow Box
- A fence style with alternating boards on opposite sides of a center rail, creating a pattern that provides privacy while allowing some air circulation.
- Stringer
- See Rail. The horizontal structural member between posts.
T
- Tension Wire
- A taut wire threaded through the bottom of a chain-link fence to maintain alignment and prevent sagging at the base.
- Top Rail
- The topmost horizontal rail in a chain-link fence, running through the post caps, to which the fence fabric is attached.
V
- Vinyl Coated
- A finish applied to chain-link fencing that adds a PVC coating over galvanized wire, extending rust protection and improving appearance.
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