A fence can be a great thing to add to your home. It can be used for several reasons such as keeping in children or pets, aesthetic looks, and security. But before construction begins, here are some things you should consider before deciding on your fence.
Know What You Want
Before ordering your fence, make sure you know exactly what you’re looking for. Ask yourself for what reason are you building this fence. If it’s a utilitarian fence like for keeping children or pets in the yard, you can go with a basic chain-link fence. If you’re getting a fence to block noise or add privacy to your home, you’ll want something that’s tall and solid.
Most likely your reasons for building a fence will be a combination of multiple things. For example, you may want to build a fence to keep your dog in the yard but also have it be aesthetically pleasing. That’s no problem because fences can function in many ways. But the first step to getting your fence is to make sure you know what type of fence you want to get.
Choose Materials
It’s important to understand exactly what type of materials that your fence will require. This is important because different types of fences require different maintenance needs. Wood requires occasional staining or sealing and can warp and rot over time. It’s also susceptible to weather and termites and if not taken care of properly can need repair or replacement.
So if you feel that wood requires too much maintenance for you to handle, you may want to consider a lower maintenance type of material like vinyl. It offers the look of wood but doesn’t require the same maintenance. Other options you could go with are aluminum, steel, wrought iron, or bamboo. All of these materials have advantages and disadvantages so it’s important you understand which material is best for you.
Combine Types of Fences
If you’re looking to build a fence for a lower price, consider mixing different fence materials. If you want something in the front of the house that is aesthetically pleasing to show off to the neighborhood but are looking for a practical fence in the back to keep children or pets in the yard, consider having a wood picket fence in the front which connects to a chain-link fence in the back. This will save installation costs and reduce the amount of fence that might require painting all the while serving its purpose on both sides of the house.
Do Your Research
In many areas there are rules about how a fence can be built. It’s important to understand these rules before you decide on the particulars of your fence so you don’t run into trouble down the road. Inquire with your local homeowners association or neighborhood association and municipal building code officials regarding any codes or rules that may apply in building your fence. Some codes or rules can restrict certain fences based on look, height, or material. City or neighborhoods may also have rules that specify that the better-looking side, the side without the posts and rails, must be facing the public property.
It’s also important to ask how far away from the sidewalk or property lines the fence must be. Again, this is so you don’t have any surprises after the fence is up which could force you to remove or replace the entire fence. Also find out if you will require a permit to build the fence.
Think Green
When deciding what type of fence you want, consider adding living walls of plants to the fence. This can add to the aesthetics of the fence. However, check for any city or neighborhood rules to ensure that they don’t overgrow any restrictions of the area.
Be a Good Neighbor
Make sure to be open and upfront with your neighbors about your fencing plans. Try not to unnecessarily block their views. A possibility to consider is a party fence that can be shared by neighbors. But if you choose to do this, get the agreement in writing and only do so after the property boundaries have been professionally determined.
Consider Your Climate
Florida has a warm and damp climate, which means that using wood, which is susceptible to water damage, could be a problem. If this is a concern for you, consider using vinyl instead.
Similarly, if the fence is going up in a climate that is often cold and regularly experiences frost, the post should be secured 36 inches deep to avoid cracking.
Create Multiple Entrances
You should plan to include at least two entrances through your fence for convenience and safety. You’ll want to make sure that at least one of the entrances is large enough to accommodate bulky outdoor equipment like a lawn mower or large garbage cans that may have to be pushed through the fence.
To tell where the entrances through the fence are, you can use stepping stones or pergolas. Another option is to use finials or other decorative elements that will differentiate that part of the fence from the rest of the fence.
Dress It Up
Think about customizing your fence with decorative posts or finials. Depending on your home’s style, you may want to paint the fence a contemporary color to better match your house or consider planting flowers in front of your fence.
Hire Professionals
More than anything else, make sure you hire professionals to do that job. Installing a fence is much harder than it looks. To ensure a quality job that will last as long as possible, call Secure Fence and Rail who will guarantee a quality job on your fence.
A fence can be a great addition to your home and can serve several different purposes. But before you build the fence around your home, take into consideration these 10 things to ensure the best fence for your home.