Perhaps the biggest advantage to concrete fences is the ability to pour concrete into a mold that makes the finished product mimic other materials such as stone or even wood. Concrete fences can be simple structures poured on site, or they can be made from precast concrete blocks. Still other concrete fences are precast to mimic the look of another type of material for aesthetic value. These panels can be shipped and put into place relatively easily, and they can be painted to match the aesthetic of a given area. The least expensive option, and the option that offers one of the easier methods of installation, is the concrete block.
Concrete blocks can be formed into concrete fences in areas where privacy, moisture control, and strength are all important facets of the structure. The blocks are small and versatile, and they are fairly easy to set into place. They work well as foundation for small buildings, and they are a great choice for a wall built in a damp area, as the concrete will resist corrosion and mold. The downside to such a fence is its appearance; the finished product will generally appear drab and boring, so many builders opt to coat the finished product with some sort of finishing material, such as stucco or even some type of vinyl siding.
Poured concrete fences are perhaps the least common type of fence because they can be labor intensive and require a mold to be built on site. This method is often used for home foundations rather than for fences. Like cinder block fences, the finished product will appear drab and boring, so a finishing layer may be applied to the fence. Concrete can be hand-mixed for the building of such a fence, though for longer and taller structures, a mechanical or motorized mixer may be necessary to mix the large quantities of necessary concrete.
The most attractive option for concrete fences is the precast panel. These fences are built piece by piece from prefabricated concrete panels designed to mimic another material such as wood, brick, or stone. This is done for aesthetics, and some panels will require little or no further decorative actions. Once they are secured in place, the fence is complete with no finishing action necessary. Such panels, however, tend to be more expensive than other concrete options, and they will need to be installed by a professional or at least by a person with construction or carpentry knowledge.