Homeowners have multiple material choices for their fencing. You can choose from metal, PVC, wood, vinyl, composite, SimTek®, and masonry styles with a wealth of design options within each material type. There are pros and cons for each type and you can use the following tips for selecting the fencing materials that best fits your individual needs.

Building Codes and HOAs

Communities often have their own set of building codes about the type, style, color, materials, and height of the fencing that can be erected. If your area has a homeowners association (HOA) your options may be limited to what the HOA allows.

Cost

Fencing and the installation can represent a significant expense and you’ll need to know how much you can or are willing to spend. You may need to budget more to the project or seek a more cost-effective alternative, depending upon what you envision for your property.

Durability

The predations of insect pests, mold, and degradation from wind, rain, sun, and salt spray are very real considerations. The ability of your fence to withstand those elements and the unique climate will also be a consideration for the long-term durability of the fencing you choose.

Maintenance

Some types of fencing require regular inspections and periodic maintenance, while others are almost maintenance-free. Some may need to be painted, stained or sealed. An additional consideration in Florida is hurricanes and the associated damage they can sustain or inflict. Some types of fencing are able to withstand hurricane-force winds.

Objective

It’s important to know why you want a fence. They can be used for beautification, safety and security, to contain children or pets, minimizing road-noise, or to establish boundaries. The reason you want a fence will influence the material that’s selected.

Style

You may want a fence that blends into the surrounding architecture and prevailing styles or you may want something that’s a marked departure that makes your home stand out. You can choose from highly elaborate styles or no-frills options, but you should always research any relevant codes and regulations before making a decision.

Since ancient times, wood has been used for fencing to delineate borders, contain livestock, provide privacy and security, and prevent accidents in areas of unsure footing. In today’s world, wood fencing is also used to hide unsightly objects and fixtures, provide safety around swimming pools, and dampen the noise from traffic. Wood fencing is offered in multiple styles to accommodate an extensive range of needs, budgets, and personal preferences.

Custom Contemporary

Homeowners aren’t limited to traditional styles when it comes to wooden fences. Many people are choosing to design their own fences that incorporate unique combinations of vertical and horizontal elements to create designs that defy the imagination. The constructs are usually decorative in nature rather than a solid barrier for privacy.

Estate

Also known as post-and-rail, it’s an alternative imagining of the split-rail fencing style. The fencing typically utilizes three horizontal rails in its design. It’s the type of fencing people often picture from films when they think of thoroughbred horse farms.

Lattice

The latticework pattern has transitioned from arbors and privacy screens to a full-fledged fencing option utilizing heavier wood. It’s a highly decorative and elegant option that can be constructed with multiple types of top and bottom rails, along with post caps.

Picket

The classic style is a perennial favorite for its attractiveness and ability to frame a yard. Picket fences contain spaces between the upright elements but are no longer limited to sharp points on top. They can be constructed with posts of different sizes, rails of various dimensions, and scalloped tops.

Split Rail

One of the earliest versions of wooden fence design, it’s still popular in rustic, rural, and wooded environments. Originally designed with rails interwoven horizontally between upright posts, today’s split rail fencing is constructed with rails that are threaded through holes in the upright posts.

Stockade

These fences are solid barriers primarily used for privacy. One type features boards that are placed tightly against each other and is also popular for safety around pools. The second type is highlighted by a double row of boards that are slightly offset from each other.

Your new puppy will require much the same in the way of fencing as a child. They’re similar to toddlers in that they’re very curious and don’t understand potential dangers. It’s up to you to protect them by taking appropriate precautions and that certainly includes a fenced-in area where they can run, play, and explore in safety.

It’s equally important to have a secure gate that can’t be accessed by random individuals. Sadly, there are unscrupulous people that will steal dogs from their own yard for any number of nefarious purposes. The pups may be used in dog fighting rings, sold to laboratories, or become part of a puppy mill.

If you choose a fence that’s not solid, it’s essential that the spaces between the vertical elements are close enough together that he/she can’t slip between them. Another important consideration will be the size of the pup when he/she’s full grown. A large adult dog can easily escape an enclosure designed to contain a puppy.

The fence will need to be high enough to prevent an adult dog from jumping over it. Some breeds, such as German shepherds, can easily clear a fence. Ensure there’s nothing your dog can jump on to launch himself over the wall. Dog experts suggest installing a six ft. fence.

Jumping isn’t the only thing you’ll need to worry about. Shepherds, Huskies and similar breeds are adept at climbing. Chain link fence isn’t effective for pups that turn out to be climbers.

Not all dogs are diggers, but some are and you’ll need to install a fence that includes an underground cable at the bottom to prevent tunneling escapes.

One of the ways to minimize the desire for a puppy to head for the other side of a fence is to install a solid barrier rather than a see-through option. Dogs that can see objects on the other side are more likely to try to escape, but less likely to bark at what they can’t view.

You’re responsible for the health, safety and welfare of your new pup. There are multiple types of wildlife, most notably alligators, which can and will prey upon your puppy and can scale fences with sufficient motivation. An invisible fence is never an option in Florida and it’s never a good idea to leave a puppy unattended, even within an enclosure.

The most common reasons for installing commercial fencing is security, protection of assets, to prevent liability issues, and to comply with anti-terrorism standards set forth by the Department of Homeland Security. Fencing is a highly effective means of deterring would-be intruders, but in some instances additional measures are required to discourage those that would climb the barrier.

It’s important to remember that the taller the fence is the more difficult it will be to breach. A fence of seven ft. or more in height is typically recommended by security experts and a solid barrier that prevents people from seeing inside also increases security. Not every additional climb-proof method can necessarily be employed on every type of fence.

Anti-Climb Paint – Also known as non-dry paint, it never completely dries, will leave a mark on anyone that touches it, and is very slippery. The disadvantage of anti-climb paint is that stray pollen and other particles will adhere to it.

Broken Glass – This is an option that’s implanted in mortar and installed atop of certain types of fencing. It’s a definite deterrent, but commercial property owners may not want to use it as it can be unattractive, requires warning signage, and should only be installed on fences of seven ft. or more in height.

Electrified Wire – A strand or two of electrified wire can be installed on top of a fence as an effective deterrent. Before implementing the measure, owners of commercial properties should check all relevant regulations to ensure the installation meets safety requirements to prevent children, pets, or a random pedestrian from accidentally touching the fence and incurring an injury. Appropriate warning signage will also need to be installed.

Fence Top Rollers – Also known as fence top spinners, they’re essentially vertical or horizontal tubes that rotate to make gaining purchase on a wall extremely difficult and unstable. Some are also available with spikes.

Razor Tape and Barbed Wire – While both items may bring to mind a prison, they’re effective but shouldn’t be used in areas where workers or pedestrians normally have access. Both options may require special permission to install, along with appropriate signage.

Spikes – Fence spikes are the most popular option since they can be added at any time, are fairly affordable, and easy to install. They’re durable and difficult to remove.