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living fence

What is a Living Fence?

In its purest form, a living fence uses hedge plants placed close enough together to form a living barrier. It functions in much the same way as a manufactured fence. However, the concept of a living fence has evolved over the years to include non-traditional hedge plants. Some people are now choosing to use taller growing plants such as bamboo to create privacy and non-traditional flowering varieties.

Living fences have been used around the world for centuries. They marked off property lines, kept out wildlife, and separated crops or animals. Today, living fences have gained in popularity as an eco-friendly option and an alternative to manufactured fencing. They have a variety of advantages besides adding beauty and value to properties.

Less Expensive

A living fence is less expensive than traditional manufactured fencing to install. Individuals can purchase and plant the hedge fence themselves and those that don’t feel confident in their skills can have a landscaping company do the work. The initial expenditure for the plants is the primary expense.

Little Maintenance

The fencing doesn’t require painting, staining, repairs or periodic replacement. When hedge plants are used for a living fence, they will need to be trimmed to control size, shape and to encourage new growth. As long as their moisture and soil requirements are met, the plants will live for many years.

Control the Flow

A living fence is an easy way to control the movements of people and pets on a property. While they won’t deny access to the most determined of people or animals, it will deter the vast majority of domestic animals, wildlife, unwanted visitors, and nosy neighbors.

Edge Habitat

One of the benefits of a living fence is the ecological diversity it supports. They’re an excellent source of shade for multiple types of bird species, along with squirrels. It gives them a place to rest and hide from predators. Some smaller species may even nest in a living fence. If a flowering form of hedge is planted, it can function as a source of food for bees, birds and butterflies.

Noise, Wind and Cooling

Plants are a natural windbreak and helps reduce noise from outside sources. A living fence helps enrich soil retain moisture, resulting in less watering and lower water bills. Plants of any kind contribute to the environment and can help keep properties cooler.

Zepco Fence…South Florida’s Premier Fence Company

Since 1981 Zepco Fence has been providing superior quality fence products and installations to all of South Florida Residential and Commercial Property owners.

Serving all of Broward and Palm Beach County areas, we are the #1 Fence Company in South Florida.

We encourage you to contact us below to get started with a free estimate on your next fence project.

Call Today at 954-410-9570

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What is a No-Climb Animal Fence?

Some domestic animals have a penchant for climbing and it can be extremely difficult to keep them safely within bounds. However, pets aren’t the only animals that individuals have to worry about. A range of wildlife can, and will, climb a fence to get to something they want. That includes alligators, bears, bobcats, coyotes, opossums, raccoons and skunks.

The solution to keeping wild animals out of yards, gardens and away from backyard chickens is a fence of at least 6 ft. tall. Chain link works best, but the spacing in the mesh must be small enough to prevent smaller animals from simply squeezing through.

At the top of the fence will be an extension that bends 90 degrees toward the outside of the fence. Wildlife may attempt to climb the fence, but when they reach the 90-degree angle they’re unable to make the physical “flip” necessary to push themselves up and over.

Rollers can also be placed at the top. The rollers prevent an animal from gaining purchase to pull themselves up. They spin, deny the animal traction, and dumps them back on the ground. Installing rollers can be a bit expensive, but they have an attractive appearance. They’re highly effective and provide a non-lethal way of dealing with unwanted wildlife. They’re commonly called coyote rollers.

One area that people typically forget when establishing a no-climb fence is the gate. Wild animals can be far cleverer than people think. They can learn to manipulate latches and closures on fence gates. It’s equally important to ensure that there are no gaps between the gate and fence where animals can wiggle through.

Florida is home to a wealth of wildlife and many species have learned to co-exist in urban environments. Many view dogs, cats and backyard chickens as an easy food source. No-climb fences provide an effective barrier against many species of wildlife, while providing a safe space for pets to play.

Zepco Fence…South Florida’s Premier Fence Company

Since 1981 Zepco Fence has been providing superior quality fence products and installations to all of South Florida Residential and Commercial Property owners.

Serving all of Broward and Palm Beach County areas, we are the #1 Fence Company in South Florida.

We encourage you to contact us below to get started with a free estimate on your next fence project.

Call Today at 954-410-9570

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privacy

SimTek® is a Top Choice for Privacy

An increasing number of people are installing privacy fencing and the rationale for doing so has changed significantly from previous years. Individuals still want privacy from prying eyes, but they’re are now installing privacy fences as a means of having more control over their environment. The movement has been attributed to modern devices that track and surveil their every move.

While a phone can still be tracked in the backyard, a privacy fence provides individuals with a greater sense of control, security, and freedom from surveillance. People are associating fencing with values and rights that include freedom of speech, independence, a lack of pressure to perform, and a non-judgmental environment.

Appearance

The top choice for privacy fencing is now SimTek®. One of the most popular features is that the fencing emulates the appearance and texture of real stone or wood. It’s available in multiple colors, enabling individuals to match their fencing to their home’s exterior.

Durability

Living in South Florida means being subjected to conditions encompassing harsh sun rays, saltwater, plentiful rain and humidity, and hurricane force winds. SimTek® fencing is able to withstand sustained winds up to 110 mph and gusts up to 130 mph.

SimTek® fencing is resistant to fading, warping and shrinking. It doesn’t attract insect pests and it’s resistant to mild impacts. Individuals don’t have to worry about their fence being the target of a street artist or vandals with spray paint. The material is resistant to graffiti from commercial spray paint.

Low-Maintenance

No one wants to spend their time checking fences for chips, cracks, loose fittings, mold or mildew. Neither do they want the yearly maintenance of priming, painting or staining. SimTek® eliminates those tasks and it only needs an occasional wash down.

Sound Dampening

Those living in noisy neighborhoods will appreciate the sound dampening properties of SimTek®. While it won’t completely eliminate sounds, it will significantly reduce the amount and level of noise with which people are bombarded.

Zepco Fence…South Florida’s Premier Fence Company

Since 1981 Zepco Fence has been providing superior quality fence products and installations to all of South Florida Residential and Commercial Property owners.

Serving all of Broward and Palm Beach County areas, we are the #1 Fence Company in South Florida.

We encourage you to contact us below to get started with a free estimate on your next fence project.

Call Today at 954-410-9570

Follow us on Social Media

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balcony fence

Best Balcony and Deck Fences

People place barriers around their balconies and decks, never really thinking about the fact that they’re essentially erecting a fence. It’s a critical safety measure to protect people and pets from injuries. Deck fencing can be designed to provide children and small dogs with an outdoor space to safely play.

Balconies

Individuals typically want a more elegant look for their balconies and aluminum is an excellent choice. The metal can be fashioned into a variety of forms with the same great look as wrought iron and its low maintenance. It can be installed vertically or horizontally and it’s a highly durable, versatile and affordable option. Aluminum is environmentally friendly and available in multiple colors.

A newer trend for balconies is tempered glass using steel framing. Tempered glass is about 4 times stronger than traditional glass, it’s heat and scratch-resistant, and provides UV protection. It also aids in sound reduction. If tempered glass sustains an impact, it doesn’t shatter like ordinary glass – it breaks into tiny granules. Tempered glass is available in multiple styles, designs and patterns.

Decks

The choices are almost unlimited when choosing a barrier for a deck. Fencing ranges from elegant to utilitarian and people are only limited by their imagination. Wood is popular but requires painting, staining, and considerable maintenance. It can be customized in multiple ways, but isn’t as durable as other materials.

For a beautiful deck fence that’s almost maintenance-free, consider a composite material like PVC. Another option is SimTek®, a polyethylene plastic. The materials are gaining traction as barriers on decks. Both are strong, and durable and won’t succumb to mold, rotting or insect predations. The materials are eco-friendly and sustainable. They can be customized in various ways and come in multiple colors.

Aluminum and tempered glass are great for balconies and they’re equally applicable for decks. Both materials can be combined with other materials in a myriad of ways for a show-stopping look.

Zepco Fence…South Florida’s Premier Fence Company

Since 1981 Zepco Fence has been providing superior quality fence products and installations to all of South Florida Residential and Commercial Property owners.

Serving all of Broward and Palm Beach County areas, we are the #1 Fence Company in South Florida.

We encourage you to contact us below to get started with a free estimate on your next fence project.

Call Today at 954-410-9570

Follow us on Social Media

Read more