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.
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BASIC CHOICES IN FENCE MATERIALS
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:
METAL
Chain Link
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.
Advantages:
Economical
Maintenance-Free
Pet Control
Graffiti Resistant
Ornamental Aluminum
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.
PVC OR VINYL
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
Does not rot or rust
Strong & Flexible
Types of Vinyl Fences:
Privacy
Semi-private
Picket
Pool fences
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Do It Yourself
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
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