Fences

With a myriad of styles and materials to choose from, fences can provide a wide range of benefits to your yard. They can serve as an attractive way to divide property, protect a pool area, provide privacy or keep woodland creatures out and children and pets in. Choose from wood, aluminum, vinyl and more, with each material proving ideal for different applications. In addition to providing the aforementioned benefits, fences can also add value to your property, increasing the resale value of your home.

Use the following questions to hone in on the right style for your yard and needs:

• What will the fence's primary purpose be?
• How high do you need it to be, and how high can it be?
• What material is best suited for the fence's purpose and your climate?
• Do you have small children or pets?
• Will the fence be surrounding a pool area?
  

Materials, Styles and Uses

Prior to installing your fence, you'll want to check local building regulations. Some areas may dictate not only how tall your fence can be but how far back it must be set from the street and other important considerations. Pool fences often have their own requirements that may differ from other types of fences. You'll also want to ask your utility companies to clearly mark water, gas and power lines underneath your lawn before you begin installation to avoid accidentally damaging them or digging them up. Don't forget to verify the exact borders of your property to avoid upsetting the neighbors. Choose a material and style that best achieves the primary purpose you have in mind.

Wood: Wood is amongst the most versatile materials available for fences. Styles include traditional picket fences, prefabricated fence panels, post-and-rail fences, latticework panels and more. Wood fences may be tall and solid to keep out prying eyes, sturdy to protect against unwanted visitors and stylishly detailed to enhance your lawn's appearance. You may want to consider using metal poles for a wooden fence to prevent wood from coming into contact with the ground, where it may rot. Post designs include rounded, squared, beveled and rough-hewn and may be simple or ornate. Cedar is a long-lasting wood that's naturally resistant to environmental rot. Spruce, pine and fir may also be used. Wood used for fences is graded based on the quality of its appearance. The categories, in descending order beginning with the highest rated, are clear, premium, select, standard and quality.

• Wood is economical and can be used for privacy, protection, decoration and boundaries
• Additional styles include ranch, split rail, stockade, shadowbox and solid board
• Use pressure-treated wood, and apply stain or paint to enhance appearance
• Board styles include dog ear, flat top, French gothic and gothic
• Post cap styles include gothic, pyramid style, ball style and New England style
• Lattice and basket-weave fences provide airflow and a semi-private look
  
  

Vinyl: Primarily made of solid or veneered polyvinyl (PVC), vinyl fencing can mimic traditional wood and metal styles without many of the maintenance requirements. Vinyl fences possess great strength and flexibility, never need to be painted and resist rust, decay and peeling. Vinyl may require a larger up-front investment than wood, but its low maintenance costs and durability may make it more cost effective in the long run, particularly in harsher climates.

• Vinyl fences often come in kits that include all of the necessary installation components
• Ideal for light-duty boundaries or garden accents
• Impervious to termites and other wood-boring insects and resistant to UV rays
• Can be used for picket and pool fences as well as private and semi-private configurations
  
  

Metal/Aluminum: For security purposes, it's hard to beat a chain-link fence. Chain-link fences are economical, easy to install and require very little maintenance. They are often made from galvanized steel, but they can also be composed of aluminum. For a more decorative look, consider a wrought-iron fence. It may require a larger initial investment and can rust if not properly cared for, but it provides a stylish, customized look. Recent advances in craftsmanship have enabled more economical and less maintenance-heavy alternatives, such as steel and aluminum, to become available in a variety of styles, designs and colors. Metal fences have an identical appearance on both sides, meaning it has a uniform look from every angle. You can also add vines and plants to mask their presence.

• Chain-link fences are available in sections with 4', 6' and 8' widths
• Rust-resistant metals are ideal for use as pool enclosures
• Wrought-iron fences complement early American and Victorian architecture
• Fence kits provide posts, rails, prefabricated panels and hardware for easy installation
• Metal fences are ideal for keeping pets and children in the yard and resisting graffiti
  
  

Stone/Brick/Concrete: For maximum privacy, security and protection from the wind, stone, brick and concrete are excellent choices. Concrete is the most economical choice in this category. It can be covered with stucco to match the color of your house or left to weather, providing a more natural, subtle finish. It may be precast and then assembled in your yard or poured into a mold on site. Stone and brick fences require a larger up-front investment but are incredibly durable and long lasting. Stone, brick and concrete require little maintenance to keep them looking good, saving money and effort over the course of time.

• Strengthen concrete by reinforcing it with rebar
• Concrete can mimic the look of wood, stone and brick
• Ideal for everything from low border fences to high privacy walls
• Prevent intruders and wild animals from entering and pets and children from escaping
  
  

 

Material	Styles and Considerations	Applications
Steel/Aluminum/Iron	Chain link Ornamental Wrought iron requires more care Use rust-resistant metals around pools	Protection Pool Border Security Decoration
Stone/Brick/Concrete	Block walls Reinforce with rebar May be covered with stucco Extremely durable	Protection Privacy Border Security Decoration
Vinyl	Picket Private and semi-private Won't rust, decay or peel Doesn't require painting Impervious to wood-boring insects Often absorbs UV rays	Privacy Semi-privacy Protection Security Decoration Border Pool
Wood	Picket Solid board Post and rail Lattice panel Cedar provides natural weather resistance	Privacy Semi-privacy Protection Security Decoration Border

Features

Gates: Don't forget to carefully consider the gate. It's the only access point through your fence and can cause problems if it begins to stick, sag or slip out of alignment. Gates may provide the centerpiece or be discreetly tucked into a corner. They can be arched to enhance the fence's appearance or designed to blend in. Swimming pool gates must be self-closing and latching and should lock for added protection. Electric openers allow you to open heavy doors with ease or from a distance for greater convenience.

Pool Fences: Pool fences must be tall enough (4' minimum) to keep out pets and unsupervised children as well as provide visibility into the pool area when people are using the pool. Chain-link, wrought-iron and clear-acrylic fences make excellent choices for pool enclosures. Install the fence away from the water's edge. Be sure to consult local regulations concerning pool fencing prior to installing one.

Fasteners: When installing wood fences, choose fasteners made from galvanized metal, aluminum or stainless steel to avoid corrosion. Use nails with ring or spiral shanks to minimize the chances of loosening.

Weather-Resistant Vinyl Coating: If you choose to install a chain-link fence and live in an area that experiences harsher weather or frequent precipitation, consider purchasing one with a weather-resistant vinyl coating to help it maintain its appearance through the years.