An outline of the 5 most common types of fence currently on the market today.
When you’re trying to choose the perfect fence, there’s a lot to think about, from how much privacy you want to what will best complement your home. Carefully consider the fence’s durability, how it will impact curb appeal, weather resilience, overall features, costs, and style. You even want to think about your landscaping or pets if a fence will affect them. To help ensure you’ve done your due diligence in evaluating fencing possibilities, here’s a list of the various factors worth remembering when you’re shopping for the right fence for your needs:
1. Privacy Fence
Are you looking to increase backyard privacy, or is that not really a concern? If you do want to boost the private feel, shop for a fence with little space between boards, that’s high enough to block views from nearby neighbors or passers-by. If that doesn’t matter, you can widen your options to picket fences, post-and-rail fences, and more.
2. Security Fence
If you’re looking for a fence that can boost property security, you’ll probably want to look for a fence with a tall height (at least 8 feet tall), as well as a sturdy gate. Likewise, look for a fence that doesn’t have horizontal rails on the outside that are easy to climb, so you can prevent unauthorized access.
3. Budget Fencing
Just like cars, appliances, houses, and baby strollers, fences come in a wide range of styles and price ranges. That’s why knowing which option is right for you includes knowing what you can afford and what you want to spend. Whether you go with a no-frills chain-link fence or an ornate wrought iron model, explore the price possibilities to know what can work for you.
4. Ornamental Fence
You can use your fence to enhance curb appeal when you pick one that complements your home’s overall architecture and style. Take time to evaluate what styles of fences look good with your style of home. Think about how the fence will affect your home’s view from the street as well as how it will blend with the landscaping.
5. Weather Resistant Fencing
When you live in an area with harsh winters as we have in the Metro DC area, you want the kind of fence that can stand up to the elements. Typical materials include PVC or vinyl. Before picking a product, find out how durable it is through months of snow, sleet, and ice. Ask about weather protection via sealing or coating. This way, you can make a solid investment that will last for years to come.
Once you’ve settled on the fence that checks all your boxes and meets all your needs, you need to take a few more small steps to ensure installation goes smoothly. You or your installation company will need to get appropriate permits, know for sure where your property line is (you can hire a surveyor to map it if you don’t know), and check for underground utility lines. At that point, all that’s left to do is enjoy the fruits of your research in the new, beautiful, appropriate fencing solution for you.
Author bio: Dean White is the Owner of Gate Options, the premier automated gate company in northern Illinois. He has over 30 years of experience in the industry
