As an alternative to wood or metal fencing, concrete fence panels come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and many panels mimic the look of other materials such as wood, stone, or brick. Concrete fence panels make great security fencing, and the heavy, thick concrete is effective at buffering sound, making it a great choice for a perimeter fence around a yard that borders a loud roadway. The panels are precast, meaning the size, shape, and design are predetermined before the panels are available to consumers. Custom casts can be made, though concrete fence panels made from custom casts tend to be more expensive.
The texture of the concrete fence panels depends entirely on the builder's preference. Panels can be made to look and feel like brick, stone, and even certain types of wood. The panels can even be made to look as if they are not panels at all, but instead individual stones, bricks, or pieces of wood. The panels come in sections that are usually about 8 feet high (2.4 meters), though other sizes can be purchased as well. The length of each panel varies depending on the size of the fence being built.
Some concrete fence panels are not really panels at all. Post and beam fences, for example, can be made from concrete posts and beams made to look like natural wood. The concrete is poured into molds that easily mimic the look and functionality of posts and beams without the hassle of having to carve out holes in the posts or shave down the ends of the beams to fit into the post slots. Concrete molds make the process of making panels, posts, and beams much easier, meaning the cost of the panels will stay relatively low in relation to other fencing materials. Installation of the concrete fence panels is also fairly easy, meaning installation costs will be lower as well. Concrete panels are quite heavy, however, so installation should usually be done by a professional.
Concrete panels can be dyed to make different colors, and the panels can also be combined easily with other fencing materials to make a look with more variety. Concrete panels can be interspersed with iron panels, for example, to create open areas of the fencing that allows light and air to pass through. Iron gates can be affixed to the concrete panels to create an attractive and functional opening in a perimeter fence.