Sand Fencing Services on Long Island
Protecting Coastal Properties with Professional Sand Erosion Solutions
Living on Long Island means being close to beautiful coastlines—but with that beauty comes the challenge of managing sand and preventing erosion. At Long Island Elite Landscaping, we offer expert sand fencing services that help preserve beachfront properties and stabilize dunes. Our solutions are designed to protect your home, property, and nearby infrastructure from windblown sand and water erosion.
What is Sand Fencing?
Sand fencing is an artificial barrier typically made of wooden slats or synthetic fabric that is built perpendicular to prevailing winds. Supported by sturdy wooden or metal posts, these fences slow wind velocity near the ground, allowing sand to accumulate and form natural dunes.
- Typical fence dimensions: 2 to 4 feet high
- Spacing: Slats spaced about 1.5 inches apart (equal to the slat width)
- Layout: Installed in parallel rows approximately 30 to 40 feet apart
This practical design is especially useful for coastal areas like those across Long Island, where dune restoration and sand stabilization are essential.
When is Sand Fencing Needed?
Our sand fencing services are often used in the following scenarios:
- To trap blowing sand across open or sandy soil, preventing sand from invading yards, roads, or neighboring properties.
- To control erosion by helping to build up frontal dunes and shielding your property from the impact of wind and water during storms or heavy rain.
- To preserve visibility and safety by keeping sand from drifting onto roads, driveways, and walkways.
Whether you live in Rocky Point, Wading River, Shoreham, or anywhere along Long Island’s north shore, sand fencing is a smart investment in your property’s long-term stability.
How Sand Fencing Works
When installed correctly, sand fencing captures blowing sand and begins the dune-building process. Once a fence becomes approximately two-thirds full with trapped sand, additional fencing may be installed to continue the dune growth. These dunes can reach heights of 2 to 6 feet or more in a single season, and can later be stabilized with natural vegetation.
Our team follows best practices for fence layout and installation, including:
- Placing the fence parallel to existing dunes and perpendicular to onshore winds
- Ensuring it’s installed at least one foot above high tide elevation
- Using well-driven posts and strong fencing materials for durability
- Adding a secondary fence system, when needed, to guard against cross winds
Maintenance & Dune Stabilization
Like any effective erosion control system, sand fencing requires ongoing maintenance. We recommend:
- Regular inspections—especially after major storms
- Prompt repair of any broken or leaning sections
- Continued upkeep until vegetation becomes well-established
- Proper planning to ensure long-term dune stability
Vegetation plays a crucial role in stabilizing dunes, so once fencing has done its job capturing sand, the area should be seeded with appropriate native plants.
Common Sand Fencing Challenges (and How We Prevent Them)
We’ve seen it all—and we know how to do it right. Some common issues with poorly installed sand fences include:
- Inadequate post depth or fence stability
- Fences too low or placed too close to the ocean
- Lack of follow-up maintenance or delayed repairs
- Insufficient sand accumulation or vegetation stabilization
At Long Island Elite Landscaping, we avoid these problems by using proven installation techniques and offering continued support after the job is done.