There comes a time when every home or business owner contemplates the repair or replacement of their existing fence. It may be that it’s already costing a considerable amount for upkeep or you may just want a change. Each situation is different and the following tips may help you make a decision.

Wooden Fences

A wood fence can be a lot of work and even a little bit of neglect can result in big problems. The fencing requires regular maintenance and even wolmanized wood has its limitations. If you’re tired of regularly checking the fence’s hardware, you have boards that are warped, falling down, or have fallen prey to insects, it’s time to replace the fence.

If the fence was installed for privacy or to contain children and pets, a damaged fence is a safety hazard. If an entire section falls, it can seriously injure someone. It leaves the property open to invasion by trespassers, while opening an escape route for kids and pets.

PVC Fencing

The many styles of PVC fencing has made it popular for a wide array of uses. They’re generally long lasting, but even PVC fences can need to be replaced. If the original fence was installed with lower quality vinyl, it can be damaged by UV rays and become brittle. If holes were drilled, they can split. If the repairs to a PVC fence entails anything more than patching a hole or very small crack, it’s a good idea to have it replaced.

Metal Fencing

If any part of your metal fence is damaged or rusted, contact a fencing professional as soon as possible. Metal fencing that’s been damaged is an eyesore and poses a danger for injury to people and pets. Children can easily exit and trespassers and wildlife can enter. A professional can tell you if repair or replacement is the better option.

Updating

Sometimes an older fence just doesn’t serve its intended purpose, you want a change, or you’re looking for a more stylish solution. A company specializing in multiple types of fencing can assist you with more modern materials and options.

Homeowners have a variety of choices when selecting fencing for their homes and there are multiple factors to consider. It has to meet your specific needs, but it must also conform to any local laws and regulations. You’ll want a fence that fits in with the character of your home and the neighborhood and your particular lifestyle.

There are also maintenance requirements to consider. Depending on the material, some need periodic painting, while others are almost maintenance free. The slope of your property will affect the installation of the fencing and its cost. People install fencing for one of several reasons that include:

• Privacy
• Security
• Protect and contain children and pets
• Safety from falling into pools or off bluffs and cliffs
• Enhance property values
• Establish boundaries
• Conceal trash cans, generators or central air units
• Dampen road noises
• Stop encroaching weeds

The reason for installing your fence will have an impact on the type of fencing you choose. Chain link fencing is great for containing children and pets, but it’s not as aesthetically pleasing as aluminum fencing. Chain link and aluminum fencing enable kids, pets and homeowners to see through it and into the outside world.

Aluminum and chain-link requires very little maintenance and are handy for marking property boundaries and preventing individuals from approaching dangerous areas. Either type is appropriate for security concerns and to prevent trespassing.

SimTek and PVC fencing provide a solid barrier against road noises, provide security and privacy, and delineate boundaries. They’re also ideal on a small scale for concealing unsightly trash cans or valuable generators and central air units. Available in multiple colors and styles, they’re almost maintenance free. The fencing is effective for stopping most encroaching weeds.

Traditional wood fencing can be erected as a solid barrier or with small spaces between the boards. They can be painted or stained and the hardware should be examined regularly.

The most important step before contacting a fencing specialist is to determine why you want a fence. Once that’s decided, your fencing specialist can assist you with the type that best fit your needs.

Fencing is available in so many colors, styles and materials it can be difficult to decide what to choose. Fencing materials run the gamut from wood, aluminum and PVC/vinyl to SimTek, chain link, and wrought iron. One characteristic will be fairly easy to decide – if the fence will be solid or see-through.

The materials can be utilized in a variety of ways to create solid or see through fences, though some perform best when used in specific ways. Much will depend on the reason the fence is being erected, local regulations, and taking into account personal preferences.

There are advantages and drawbacks to each type of material. Wood will need to be stained, painted, or replaced periodically. Aluminum and PVC/vinyl won’t rust and doesn’t need painting. It’s a relatively low-maintenance option that’s also economical. SimTek is eco-friendly and one of the most versatile and durable materials available.

See-Through Fencing

A stand-alone see-through fence can provide security, safety for children and pets, and doesn’t prevent natural light from entering. The biggest benefit of see-through fencing is that it enables people see out. It can keep intruders and unwanted wildlife out. The fencing styles have the advantage of being decorative and aesthetically pleasing.

Solid Fencing

A solid fence has a variety of benefits, not least of which is privacy and the ability to completely block activities from neighbors and the street. They provide increased security to prevent wildlife and intruders from entering and it’s equally effective for keeping children and pets inside and safe.

Solid fencing can be used in a myriad of situations to address specific problems. It buffers street sounds and noises for a more tranquil environment. It’s also effective as a windbreak and for coastal dwellers as a barrier against blowing sand and debris.

Pick the Purpose

One of the most important decisions individuals can make is why they want a fence. It doesn’t have to provide privacy, safety or a barrier against noise. It can simply be ornamental, decorative, and enhance the aesthetics and value of the property.

Since the process for creating chain link fence was introduced in 1844 by Charles Barnard, the fencing type has remained one of the most effective and economical option for multiple uses. The fencing was based on the cloth weaving process and it was brought to the U.S. in 1891.

Chain link fencing quickly caught on and became popular for providing safety and security for parks and the estates of the wealthy and powerful. It became the preferred backstop method in baseball fields, catch fences at early car racetracks, and even for cage matches in wrestling.

Industrial sites, housing projects and commercial enterprises use chain link fence due to its affordability and versatility. The Department of Homeland Security recommends chain link fencing for the protection of soft targets and those that may be at increased risk of attacks. In high security areas, chain link fencing can be equipped with barbed wire or razor wire.

The fencing is strong, durable, resistant to corrosion, and offers a convenient see-through barricade. Chain link provides an imposing physical barrier and a psychological deterrent to would-be intruders. It’s cost effective to purchase, install, and can reduce the number of guards needed to protect a facility.

It’s an ideal solution for those that have small children and pets. It provides an added level of safety for parents at home and for those operating daycare centers. Chain link is used by animal breeders, animal shelters and in solutions designed specifically for zoos.

Chain link fencing isn’t just for permanent installation. It’s widely used for temporary protection of construction sites where valuable equipment and tools are kept. The fencing utilizes steel posts that can be easily removed from the ground at the end of a project and the distinctive diamond-patterned fencing can simply be rolled up and used in a different location if desired.

It’s available in multiple colors, styles, heights, and thicknesses. The fencing is able to withstand exposure to extremes of weather and coating can be applied to extend its lifespan even further. Chain link fencing is easy to repair if damage does occur and will serve its purpose for many years with only a minimum of maintenance, making it one of the most cost effective options available.

Bigger isn’t always better when considering how high a fence will be. There are a multitude of factors to consider whether it’s a property’s first fence or an upgrade to an existing barrier. Individuals will need to consider the height, material and purpose, along with local rules and regulations governing fencing in the community.

Residential and commercial fencing typically have different requirements and those can vary depending upon specific locations. For residential customers that are contemplating the installation of fencing, the primary concern should be the purpose the fence will serve.

Security

Whether it’s to keep children and pets out or unwanted people and wildlife out, a fence can accomplish all those goals. Solid fencing and those with vertical rails will aid in discouraging trespassers from trying to climb it and security gates and systems can be added. The height will be determined by what individuals are trying to keep in or out.

Privacy

The height of a privacy fence will depend on the slope of the land and the size of the area to be shielded, such as a patio, pool or hot tub. Homeowners may want to have a barrier that provided privacy in one place or throughout the entire property. A privacy fence will typically be constructed of material with little or no space between sections. A fencing professional will be able to ensure that the fence meets local regulations, and provides the privacy required for the desired area.

Noise Barrier

Living on a busy street can be extremely noisy, making it difficult to listen to music, watch TV or even sit outside in a peaceful atmosphere. Solid fencing materials are available that dampen noise and can be installed for any desired height. They can be solid or have small spaces between the boards to let light filter in, and can be paired with plantings if desired.

Wind Block

Fencing does more than beautify properties. It’s also very effective at blocking or interrupting wind from areas where homeowners entertain, especially if they have a fire pit or other outdoor flame. A fence can be especially beneficial for those that live in coastal areas as a means of preventing sand from blowing into the yard and are usually no more than three feet in height when used as a sand barrier.

Swimming Pool Safety

Most communities have very specific laws that require pools to be fenced, gated for safety, and state minimum height requirements. They should have an automatic locking gate, no handholds with which children can climb, and security systems can be installed to alert owners when the gate is opened.

Before Fencing

It’s best to hire a fencing professional that is knowledgeable in local laws governing fencing heights and if there’s a required setback on the property. A professional can help clients choose the right type of fencing for their needs that also conforms to community specifications.

Choosing a fence design isn’t as easy as people might think. There are a number of factors to be examined and a simple online search isn’t sufficient to fully grasp all the available options. Individuals can select from materials encompassing wood, PVC, and different types of metal that are decorative, provide privacy, and secure premises.

Installing a fence is a complicated process. There’s a wealth of fencing materials, styles and colors from which to choose and regulations with which to comply. Property owners can begin by knowing why they’re installing a fence. It could be for:

• Privacy
• Safety
• Security
• Noise control
• Curb appeal
• Establish boundaries
• Conceal unappealing sights

Most people think of fences in terms of safety and security, but they’re much more versatile than that. They can be constructed in a variety of decorative ways to protect plants, camouflage generators, and air conditioning units, to provide privacy, and add interest to the landscape. There are multiple ways that barriers can be used to add character to the landscape.

Swimming pools are one of the most popular places to put a decorative barrier. To soften the appearance of a security fence at the poolside, a fun nautical theme can be created with rope, netting, and round posts. It’s the type of decorative barrier that can be recreated throughout the landscape and on decks, porches, and patios.

There are all types of unsightly objects that home and business owners want to keep hidden and out of site ranging from dumpsters, garden hoses and reels, and air conditioning units to pipes, meters and emergency generators. Just because they’re necessary doesn’t mean they have to become an eyesore in the landscape. There is a myriad of methods for hiding them.

The best way to hide objects while maintaining access to them is with a decorative fence or panel. It’s an ideal solution that’s also affordable and doesn’t have to be extensive to be effective. Even a single fence panel can make a big difference and fencing can be used to conceal just about anything that individuals want to keep out of sight.

A fence can serve a variety of purposes, from privacy and security to safety and curb appeal. Individuals have a variety of materials from which to choose that will complement their landscape, but even low-maintenance fences will need some care to prolong their lifespan.

Most modern fences require very little care to maintain their appearance. Some materials can last for 20 years or more and are eco-friendly. They’re highly-durable, but chemicals to control weed growth and insect pests in the surrounding landscape can result in staining.