Introduction
Whether you need added protection against the weather, more privacy, or want to increase the value of your property, a nice fence can provide all of that. However, choosing the right fence is a bit tricky. Even if you are able to choose one, installing it can be difficult and time-consuming. If you want experts to work on your fence, you should search for a “fencing company near me” and get a professionally finished fence installed for your home. For now, let’s figure out how you can choose the best fence for your yard:
The Choices
- The purpose of your fence – Before you install the fence, you need to figure out its purpose. You may build a fence for utility. For instance, concerned homeowners may build a fence to reduce the visual and auditory stimulus for their pets and kids. A fence can help them prevent their dogs or kids from running outside their property.
Your fence is going to look very different if you build a privacy fence or want to reduce noise from the outside. Then you need to build a tall fence with thick materials that prevents prying eyes from peeking in. The fence also needs to be thick and durable to block and deflect noise from traffic and other sources away from your home.
If your fence is strictly for security, a chain-linked fence with barbed wire at the top may be enough. Owners who focus on security and don’t care about the ornamental aspects of the fence and their property may opt for this option to save cost.
- For Privacy – If you want a no-compromise privacy fence for your yard you need to go all out. There can be no gaps in between the boards for ornamental or other purposes. You need a closely packed lattice that acts as a solid material and gives you enhanced privacy when combined with the lush foliage of climbers.
The height of your privacy fence will depend on a few things. For instance, you need to consider the slope of your and the neighbor’s yard. The height of the fence will also depend on your seating areas and local buildings codes that may apply.
Get a paper or cardboard roll along with a ladder and walk the perimeter of your yard with a friend. Get your friend to hold up the paper roll at different heights from different positions while you figure out if the height is going to be enough. Stand up and sit down in seating areas, the garden, the lawn, and the yard to figure out the appropriate height for your privacy fence.
- A stepped fence – While a privacy fence serves its purpose perfectly, you may not want tall fence boards lining up the sky. It may give you the feel of being trapped in a tall box. Instead, you can raise the fence to different heights along the perimeter depending on your requirements.
For instance, you may have a taller section of the fence installed around the pool, and seating areas of your property. Your fence can have a stair-stepped design where it goes higher on the areas where you need more privacy. This can also save you installation and material costs and make the project more affordable.
- Shield from the environment – Sometimes you want to block a few elements of nature instead of curious neighbors and strangers from peeking into your property. However, a privacy fence doesn’t just block strong gusts of wind, but also the external view. It can also cast long and dark shadows and deprive certain parts of your yard of sunlight.
If that’s your goal, you can install a tall fence made from glass or other such materials. This prevents strong wind from getting into the seating area without depriving you and your plants of the sun.
- Understand the HOA regulations – Every decent neighborhood has a Homeowner’s Association that may come up with its own standards and building codes for the neighborhood. HOAs may seem unnecessary, but their codes help to maintain homogeneity and prevent homeowners from building something that may bring down the property value of other homes in the neighborhood.
That’s why you need to consult the local HOA and figure out the building codes and the style or materials of the fence you’re permitted to build on your property. HOAs often have height requirements for fencing your property and if you don’t follow the guidelines, you may be slapped with hefty fines.
- Fencing material – The market is abundant with various kinds of fencing materials and each one has its own fits for certain types of properties and fulfills a different purpose. They also eat up a major chunk of the building costs and will dictate your final decision in one way or another.
Wood is the most popular material used for fencing. It is popular among homeowners since it has been the material of choice for decades and looks the most attractive on your property. A well-built wood fence can also increase the curb appeal of your home and increase the price of your property. However, they can be very expensive and you’re at the mercy of price fluctuations. You also need to spend a lot of cash on maintenance.
You can also opt for Aluminum fencing. Unlike other fencing materials, while it has a higher upfront cost compared to wood, it is virtually maintenance-free. It can be cheaper and hassle-free in the long run.
Other options include PC and Vinyl fencing. They can be inexpensive, strong, and also look amazing with the wide variety of colors, textures, and patterns you can choose from. It’s also very cheap to maintain and can be repaired at the fraction of the cost of wood or aluminum fencing.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to choose the right fence, you should get the necessary materials and tools and start the new project. On the other hand, you can save time, money on wasted materials and labor by outsourcing the task to pros by searching for a “fencing company near me”.
