Beautiful Split Rail Fencing for Your Central Texas Property

Looking for a beautiful yet durable way to fence your home or ranch in Central Texas? Want to ensure that your livestock or horses stay within your property, without any threats to their safety?

While there are many fencing options that are suitable for large acreage properties, split rail fencing in particular offers a beautiful aesthetic that does not compromise on safety or durability.

As one of the oldest types of fencing still in use, split rail fencing offers a rustic charm that is unmatched.

Whether you need to protect livestock or horses on your Central Texas ranch, or simply prefer the look of a classic split rail fence, Discount Fence has something to offer.

Types of Split Rail Fencing

When it comes to the type of wood used to make your wood split rail fence, Western Red Cedar and Yellow Pine are the best options on the market. If you’re going with a wood fence, then these should be your choices in tree species. However, there are other material options on the market today, including vinyl split rail fencing, which looks very similar to natural wood and offers a longer lifespan.

Western Red Cedar

As a popular choice for all types of wood fences, Western Red Cedar is a great selection for split rail fencing. Due to its natural ability to repel the elements and insects, Western Red Cedar does not need to be treated and will stay in great condition for over 30 years. 

Cedar also does well in dry, sunny climates making it the perfect split rail fence material for your Central Texas property.

Yellow Pine

Split rail fencing made from pressure-treated Yellow Pine is excellent at fighting rot and decay.

It also provides a more uniform look which some Central Texas ranch owners and homeowners prefer. Yellow Pine grows quickly so it is readily available and often more affordable than other split rail fencing materials. Yellow Pine split rail fencing has a long life, ranging between 15 and 20 years.

Vinyl Split Rail Fencing 

Vinyl split rail fencing is a great option to stand up against the intense Texas weather. It is also resistant to pests, decay, and fungus, and is less likely to break down over time when compared with woody split rail fencing.

It offers a more refined look than Western Red Cedar and Yellow Pine and can be made in a variety of colors to match the look of your property.

Split Rail Fence Installation

When it comes to installing wood split rail fencing, you’ll find that the process is a little different from installing a fence that uses metal T posts and woven wire fencing. For instance, you’ll need a post hole digger to ensure that your posts are firmly in the ground. 

If you anticipate needing non-standard rail lengths, you’ll also need a saw to cut them, and a way to reshape the tenon on the end of the cut rail. You will also want to cement your posts in the ground to ensure that they’re completely stable.

Yellow Pine split rail fencing installation

Split rail fencing made of pine typically has paddle ends. In this case, it’s best to install the post, then slip the rails in afterward. 

Western Red Cedar split rail fencing installation

For Cedar fence posts that have mortised ends (a rectangular cavity that forms a joint) it’s best to set the first post, load the rails into, and then concrete the second post in place. This ensures that the fence is well-secured. One thing to note with Cedar split rail fencing, is that the post height cannot be adjusted after the posts are set.

Vinyl split rail fencing installation

When it comes to vinyl split rail fencing, the fence posts and gate posts should be set first. Then, the railings can be added after the fact.

Regardless of which material you choose for your property, our Central Texas split rail fencing installation experts are highly trained and ready to get the job done.

Best Uses for Split Rail Fencing

Split rail fencing is a great option to contain livestock, delineate your property line, or to make a statement for your property. 

If you’re opting for split-rail fencing as a way of containing medium-sized livestock like sheep, we can adjust the rails to be closer together and closer to the ground.

Wood split rail fencing is beautiful, durable, and has many potential uses. If you still need help choosing the right material and spacing for your split rail fence, our team is here and happy to get you started!Give us a call at 512-886-7529 or contact  us through our website to connect with one of our Central Texas split rail fencing professionals.