Fiber Cement Fence and Its Aesthetics

Abstract

The “Fiber Cement Fence and Its Aesthetics” patent application introduces a novel approach to address limitations in traditional fencing materials, offering enhanced durability, low maintenance, and aesthetic appeal. By utilizing fiber cement panels, the invention provides a sustainable solution that improves upon the shortcomings of wood, metal, and vinyl fences. The fiber cement fence consists of panels made from a composite material comprising cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. This innovation design presents a range of advantages, including increased longevity, resistance to weathering, and improved privacy. The fence is customizable in size, shape, and color to suit individual preferences, and its installation involves traditional fence construction techniques. Moreover, the use of alternating stripe patterns created through tape application enhances the fence's visual appeal, simplifies installation, and strengthens the structure. By providing a durable, customizable, and aesthetically pleasing fencing option, the invention addresses contemporary fencing challenges while contributing to sustainable living practices.

Description

BACKGROUND

Traditional fences are typically made from wood, metal, or vinyl materials. While these materials provide adequate durability and functionality, they may either be costly or require regular maintenance. Most importantly, traditional fences may not offer the desired level of privacy and/or aesthetic appeal.

In order to address these issues, the present invention provides a fence using fiber cement panels that offers improved durability, low maintenance, desired privacy, and sleek aesthetics. Even a twenty-year old (or older) wood fence can easily be renovated using this invention.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a fence made from fiber cement that is durable, low-maintenance, and aesthetically pleasing. The fence includes a series of panels made of fiber cement such as James Hardie siding, which is a composite material primarily composed of cement, sand and cellulose fibers. The panels are mounted to posts and can be easily installed using traditional fence installation techniques. The sample property, pictured in the companion image file, is one that uses the present invention for its front fence (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) and two side fences (FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4). Its unique fencing including its 2 feet and 4 feet alternating stripe pattern became one of its key selling features. The property was sold at the record in its competitive marketplace in 2020.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention isn't about the invention of a material, rather it is about to apply popular fiber cement panels such as James Hardie siding onto a new fence construction or the renovation of an existing fence so as to improve the fence's durability, strength, privacy, and aesthetics. In addition, the new fence, made from the composite material, is resistant to rot, decay, fire, and insect damage, making it a low-maintenance option for property owners.

The fence includes a series of panels, which are mounted to posts. The panels can be cut to the desired size and shape and can be easily installed using traditional fence installation techniques. The fence panels can be designed in a variety of styles and colors to match the aesthetic preferences of their owners.

In addition to providing a durable and low-maintenance option, the fence of the present invention also offers environmental benefits. By using cement, sand and cellulose fibers, the fence helps to reduce waste and promote sustainable living. For most cases, there is even no need to demolish existing fences to renovate them, which minimizes any construction wastes so as to cut down the amount of landfills.

Implementation:

Though other types of fiber cement panels and fence posts can all work per the present invention, the implementation described below is to use 4′ by 8′ James Hardie siding for fence panels and 4″ by 4″ pressure treated wood for fence posts.

Option I—A brand new fence with both sides using the same fiber cement panels (like the front fence in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 of the companion image file). Below is how to put up a fence:

• • 1) Using two pieces of 4″ by 4″ 10 feet pressure treated woods, one 2″ by 4″ 8 feet long pressure treated wood (cut into two pieces 4′ and 3′8″, respectively), two bags of 50 lb. concrete, and two pieces of 4′ by 8′ James Hardie siding.
  • 2) Digging two 4′ apart 2½′ deep holes and set up 2 posts with one bag concrete per hole
  • 3) Creating a wood frame and then mounting a siding panel on each side (see FIG. 5A in the companion image file)
  • 4) Using one 4″ by 4″ 10 feet wood, one 2″ by 4″ 8 feet long wood, one bag of concrete, and two pieces of 4′ by 8′ James Hardie siding to install the second section (see FIG. 5B).
  • 5) Repeating Step 4 for the remaining fence sections so as to create a 8 feet high fence.
  • 6) Painting an 1″ or 2″ stripe or placing an 1″ or 2″ tape (such as gorilla tape) between sections or at the middle of panels to create a 2′ and 4′ or 4′ and 8′ alternating pattern. Compared to painting, taping is easier, faster, and stronger with clean edging.
  • 7) The fence height and strength can vary depending upon property owners' preference and budget. For example (see FIG. 6), by using two 4″ by 4″ 8 feet posts, two bags of 50 lb. concrete, one 2″ by 4″ 16 feet (cut into be 8′ and 7′8″ long, respectively), three pieces of 4′ by 8′ James Hardie siding (one siding to be cut in half, half for one side of the fence and half for the other side), you can construct a 8 feet section of a 6 feet high fence.

Option II—Upgrade an existing fence like the side fence in FIG. 3 (note: the old wood fence was covered by fiber cement panels, but could be seen from its neighboring side).

• • 1) Preparing for the support. Since the existing fence may not have its posts in line with the dimension of fiber cement panels (see FIG. 7).
  • 2) Mounting fiber cement panels either vertically or horizontally. Depending up the fence height, the panels may need to be cut while keeping their tops leveled (see FIG. 8).
  • 3) Repeating the step 1) and 2) for the remaining of the fence.
  • 4) Painting stripes or placing tapes (see Item 6 in Option I for details).

Option II is the most popular option. Any property owner can improve his or her side of the fence without impacting how the neighboring fence appearance. The present invention is especially suitable for an old fence renovation. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 illustrate an example. That is, one side of the fence is renovated while the other side remains unchanged. Besides the renovated side is aesthetically appealing, the whole fence gets stronger and becomes more private.

Option III—A brand new fence with only one side using fiber cement panels.

• • 1) Install a traditional fence such as a wood fence with fiber cement panel spec in mind.
  • 2) Place fiber cement panels on one side of the fence similar to Option II (see FIG. 4). To be efficient and reduce cost, fence posts can be placed in alignment with the specification of fiber cement panels, such as 4′ or 8′ apart for 4′ by 8′ James Hardie sidings like Option I.
  • 3) Painting stripes or placing tapes (see Item 6 in Option I for details).

FIGURE CAPTION

FIG. 1: The six feet high front fence of a sample property, which uses the present invention with four feet and two feet alternating stripe pattern. The stripe width is one inch.

FIG. 2: The other side of the front fence (see in FIG. 1) and side yard fence, which uses the present invention with four feet and two feet alternating stripe pattern.

FIG. 3: The same side yard fence (see FIG. 2) viewed from a different direction. This six feet high fence is painted in semi-glossy white with four feet and two feet alternating stripes in black.

FIG. 4: The other side of side yard fence of the same sample property. The fence specification and material are the same as the fence in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5A: An eight feet high and a four feet wide fence section.

FIG. 5B: A second four feet wide section installed after the first section (see in FIG. 5A).

FIG. 6: A six feet high and eight feet wide fence section made out of three pieces of fiber cement panels, two pieces of four inch by four inch eight feet long pressure treated wood, one piece of two inch by four inch sixteen feet pressure treated wood, plus two bags of fifty pound concrete.

FIG. 7: Preparing an existing wood fence to support fiber cement panels, that is to level horizontal wood bars with the fence posts.

FIG. 8: Mounting fiber cement panels onto the prepared existing wood fence (see FIG. 7).

FIG. 9: Placing fiber cement panels onto an old wood fence. The fence is eight feet high with four feet and eight feet alternating stripe pattern. The stripes are two inch wide and painted in black.

FIG. 10: The other side of the same fence (see FIG. 9). The renovation using the present invention has altered the fence substantially both by its look and its strength.

FIG. 11A: The pictured wood fence section is out of shape.

FIG. 11B: The pictured wood fence section is lack of privacy.

FIG. 11C: The pictured wood fence section is uneven.

CONCLUSION

The present invention builds a fence using a composite material that offers improved durability, low maintenance, and unique aesthetics. The fence is made from a combination of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, which provides a strong and durable material that is resistant to rot, decay, fire, and insect damage. The fence can be customized in size, shape, and color to match the aesthetic preferences of property owners and can be easily installed using traditional fence installation techniques. Also using tapes for stripe patterns improves the sharpness of stripe edges, reduces the labor cost, and further strengthens the fence itself.

Claims

1. The fence of claim 1, wherein it is suitable for practically any fencing needs whether for installing new fences or renovating old fences, and whether for residential or commercial.

2. The fence of claim 2, wherein the fiber cement panels can be colored to match the aesthetic preferences of property owners. Although the color scheme used for the sample fences here is semi-glassy cream white with 2′ and 4′ (or 4′ and 8′) alternating stripes in black, the fiber cement fence can be painted in any color combination.

3. The fence of claim 3, wherein it uses composite materials that are resistant to rot, decay, fire, and insect damage. It is less vulnerable to weathering, which improves its lifespan. Also its appearance lasts unlike a wood fence (see the differences between FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 in the companion image file).

4. The fence of claim 4, wherein the fiber cement panels are customizable in size and shape. Since each panel may be large in size, its labor cost to install can be reduced and time required for its installation can be minimized.

5. The fence of claim 5, wherein its stripe width can be narrow (like 1 inch in FIG. 3) or wide (like 2 inches in FIG. 9). Its stripe intervals can be short (like 2 feet/4 feet in FIG. 3) or long (like 4 feet/8 feet in FIG. 9). To ensure the stickiness of the tape, staplers can be applied by using a staple gun. If the stripes are in black, black staples are preferable.

6. The fence of claim 6, wherein many shortcomings such as out of shape (FIG. 11A), lack of privacy (FIG. 11B), and uneven (FIG. 11C), of a wood fence are eliminated. These figures are pictured in the companion image file.