A sturdy, attractive fence surrounding your garden can be a great way to improve your home security, block out prying eyes and spruce the place up in general, but only if the fence remains in good condition. If you live in a particularly windy area, this can be challenging, as many fence types are not built with severe wind resistance in mind and can quickly become weakened, damaged or even destroyed by powerful gusts. 

However, finding a fence that can stand up to powerful winds doesn't have to be difficult. By following a few key guidelines, you can ensure that the fence supplies you choose are capable of standing up to the worst the weather can throw at it.

Minimise wind resistance

A fence's vulnerability to high winds will depend largely on how much resistance is created when wind passes through it, and a fence that allows gusts of wind to pass through its panels freely will stand a far better chance of survival. This means you should avoid solid fence panels with little or no gaps through which the wind can pass. A conventional picket fence with reasonably-sized gaps between individual slats is a far better choice, as are horizontal slat fences. Chain link fencing is even better, although it is hardly the most aesthetically pleasing choice.

Choosing a fence with gaps for the wind to pass through does mean you will have to compromise somewhat when it comes to privacy. Adding thick hedgerows and other foliage to the areas immediately in front of or behind your fence will help supplement the amount of cover they provide without dramatically increasing wind resistance.

Choose a sturdy material

Inexpensive timber fence panels might be a popular choice, but the relatively thin pieces of wood used to create them do not stand up well to constant winds. You will need to choose something a little thicker and more robust if you want your fence to stand the test of time. Vinyl fences are a good choice, as they combine strength and thickness with a small amount of flexibility; this allows them to bend slightly in very high winds without breaking.

Metal fencing is obviously the best choice when it comes to fence strength, and wrought iron or steel fences are an ideal choice if you can afford them. However, be wary if the high winds in your area are frequently accompanied by rain, as wet, windy weather can exacerbate rust problems. Aluminium fencing is an excellent alternative.

Don't neglect the posts

Even the strongest, most wind-resistant fence panel is no good to anybody if it is held up by a fragile fence post, and fences in windy areas often have to rely on something a little tougher than standard timber posts. Steel posts will provide extra strength and stability, especially if they are dug deep into the ground and concreted in place. If you find steel posts to be unsightly, consider having them painted with rustproof paints, or concealing them behind foliage.