NO, WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT MONEY! WHEN WE SPEAK 'GREEN', WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BEING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY!
Ever wonder about the environmental impact building a fence could have? Sure it could vary from companies manufacturing them and from material they are made out of. However, lets have a general overlook based on how the materials used are manufactured and maintained.
Wooden Fence may have the perception of environmentally friendly material, but if you take a closer look, you will see why this is not the case. From the harvest of trees, to the production of cut up wood pieces, and finally, the manufacturing of wooden fences, chemicals are treated on almost every chain of the process to shape and preserve the product. It does not stop there. Once the wooden fences are set up in your backyard, the process of maintaining the fence through repainting, sealing and termite repellents to keep the fencing looking new requires ever more chemical products. Not all chemical products harm the environment. It is important to take some time doing your research to find out whether the chemicals applied to your fence will do any residual damage to the environment.
Concrete Fence is generally considered to be environmentally friendly. Although few chemicals are added into the production of precast fences to help cement, water, and aggregate mix well, concrete fence productions generally have minimal chemical usage. As for maintenance, no chemicals are needed to treat rust, pest, and splinter or warp problems that other types of fences may have.
Vinyl Fence uses PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) plastic. Depending on where you stand, you could argue whether it is good or bad for the environment. PVC is the by products of oil and chlorine, which gives vinyl fence their attribute of environmental durability. Vinyl fence requires minimal maintenance, as it does not rot, rust, split or warp, hence little chemical required. However, according to Green Living Tips (linked below), PVC is difficult to recycle, and is considered a contaminant in other recycling streams. Currently, less than 1% of all PVC in the world is recycled.
Steel Fence, like concrete fence, is generally considered to be environmentally friendly. Typically no chemicals are not added during production or used for maintenance. Steel fence are manufactured through bending and welding of steels. As a result, chemicals are not required in most practices. Most steel fences are temporary set ups and they are easily recyclable.
There you have it, next time when you are building that fence of yours, think about its environmental impact!