Choosing the Right Fence - 8/15/2004 - Home Exterior Fences Walls Swimming Pools
Choosing the Right Fence - Providing security, privacy and character for your home
Adding a fence around your property can provide you with instant privacy and a sense of security for children and pets. Fences can also add beauty, character and certainly value to your home. But before making an investment in a fence it is important to consider several factors and to take a look at all the available options.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CHOOSING A NEW FENCE:
What purpose will your new fence serve? For most homeowners, there is usually a specific reason driving their decision to install a new fence. Some of these are:
Privacy - Depending on how much privacy you want a fence can provide either a complete or partial shield from the outside world.
Safety & Security - Children and pets can be kept safely contained in an enclosed yard and to a certain extent "strangers" can be kept out.
Property Values & Appearance - The right fence properly installed can dramatically alter the appearance of the your property as well as add substantial value and improve "curb appeal".
What is your personal taste? There are so many choices in materials and styles of fences one of the first things you should do is take a look around your neighborhood and surrounding areas and begin to take notes of the style and appearance of fences that appeal to your own personal taste. Considering the basic architectural style of your home and landscaping will also help you make the right choice.
What is your budget? The cheapest fence to install is not always the most economical in the long run. Considering factors such as maintenance and installation costs will help determine the total cost of a fence over its lifetime.
Still can't decide? Once you have considered all the factors above and you are still having a hard time choosing the right fence, try the tool below from www.fencecenter.com that can help you make your final decision:
No matter what your tastes are, your reasons for installing a fence or the style you would like, there are three basic materials used to build fences - wood, metal and PVC or vinyl. Each has different advantages, comes in a wide variety of styles and provides a distinctive look. Below is an overview of each of these fence materials, their advantages and some examples to check out.
WOOD
For the homeowner who prefers a more natural look, wood provides the opportunity to quickly and easily install a fence the look of which can be changed from time to time by simply changing the paint or stain color.
Advantages:
Beautiful, natural look
Affordable
Easily & quickly installed
Types of Wood Fences:
Stockade
Shadowbox
Solid Board
Picket
Split Rail
To see some examples of what the different wood fences look like, check out the links below that will take you directly to wood fence manufacturers and dealers:
Chain link fence is usually thought of for commercial properties, however, this is a very affordable product that is a very popular choice with homeowners who want to keep pets safe and secure. There are several varieties of chain link fence available; from the plain galvanized type, to a vinyl-coated type that comes in several colors. Also available are vinyl slats that are inserted into the body of the fence, providing additional privacy. Without the vinyl privacy slats, a chain link fence is a wonderful way to achieve a fenced in yard and yet still keep an open airy feeling around your property.
Ornamental Aluminum fences are an affordable alternative to traditional wrought iron fences and provide homeowners with a unique, upscale look without the high maintenance costs for yearly scraping, sanding and painting of ornamental iron.
As you may have already noticed, white vinyl fences are springing up all over the country. This is the fastest growing and one of the most popular choices in fence materials by homeowners all across the United States. While not the least expensive alternative, Vinyl fences offer homeowners a virtually maintenance free product with lengthy guarantees. The product is also very beautiful and has the effect of creating a more expansive feel to a property line.
Advantages:
Virtually maintenance Free
U.V. Protected - never needs painted
Color goes all the way through - scratches or gouges almost invisible
Installing a fence is a project that many homeowners feel comfortable taking on themselves. You may have to enlist the help of some neighbors but with a little elbow grease and by carefully following manufacturer's instructions - most fences can be installed around an average sized yard in one weekend. As with all home improvement projects it is a good idea to carefully plan your project, and as a courtesy, discuss with your neighbors what you intend to do. Then when you are just about to begin the project there are three very important things you must do:
1. Check on the exact location of your property lines
2. Obtain all necessary building and zoning permits required in your town
3. Before digging locate all underground utility lines. (Call Utility Companies if necessary)
Steps for Installation:
Depending on the type of fence you choose the exact installation process will vary and you should always follow the manufacturers instructions (usually provided with the product or available at their website). But in general the process for installing a fence is the same:
1. Determine location of all posts, measure and mark the spots
2. Dig holes for posts being sure to make the hole wider at the bottom
3. Mix & Pour Cement
4. Secure Post in Cement allowing 24 hours to dry
5. Attach Fence panels to fence
6. Secure Gate and finishing hardware
Tools Necessary:
Again depending on the exact type of fence you intend to install the tools required will vary slightly, but in general the following list covers just about everything you might need when building a new fence:
Tape Measure
Level
Mason String
Sledge Hammer or mallet
Post Hole Diggers (or rent a gas powered auger)
Wheelbarrow
Shovel
Additional basic household tools such as: screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches etc
FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CHOOSING A NEW FENCE: