Fencing has played a roll in safety and beautification of properties for centuries. In the beginning, there was only wood, rock or metal in its most basic forms. Today, individuals have access to an extensive range of modern materials made possible through technological advances that provide greater durability while remaining aesthetically pleasing.

Wood

Individuals can still choose wood for their fencing needs. The difference is that new treatments have been developed that can be applied to ward off insects and protect against rot. In this instance, the wood hasn’t changed but the methods to extend durability has.

Metal

Powder coatings and sealants for anti-weathering protection have extended the lifespan of metal fencing. In the case of chain link, newer and more lightweight materials, combined with the practice of dipping the metal in steel, has made the fencing more cost effective while improving durability. Wrought iron is popular for fencing, but it’s more typically constructed of an iron core surrounded by a steel polymer. That polymer makes the metal resistant to UV rays and rain.

PVC/Vinyl

The development of pvc/vinyl fencing in 1981 created one of the most enduring alternatives to wood. The technology available enables it to appear as wood or stone and it’s a popular substitute since it won’t warp like wood. New manufacturing techniques enable it to be produced more cost effectively. Some manufacturers even provide lifetime warranties on their pvc/vinyl fencing since it doesn’t peel, crack or chip and its resistant to pests, mold and mildew.

SimTek®

A relatively new addition to the fencing industry, SimTek® has quickly become one of the most preferred materials for fencing in multiple environments. It’s an eco-friendly solution that combines plastic and galvanized steel. It can withstand hurricane winds, is impact resistant, blocks sound, and it’s available in textures that mimic wood and stone. In terms of maintenance, it simply needs to be hosed down to remove dust and dirt.

Installing a fence is more difficult than most people anticipate. Many begin a fence installation as a DIY project, only to discover that it’s turned into a multi-weekend project that feels overwhelming. The importance of hiring a fence professional can’t be overstated for speed, accuracy, and quality.

Expertise and Experience

A fencing professional will have performed numerous installations under a variety of conditions and in multiple types of landscapes. A professional will ensure that the fence is straight, level, and doesn’t encroach on the neighbor’s property line.

Tools

It requires more than a shovel or a posthole digger to erect a fence. There are specialized tools involved that a professional fence contractor uses regularly and with which they’re familiar that will ensure the job progresses faster.

Rules and Regulations

Each municipality has its own guidelines with which fences must comply and state mandates may also come into play. A fence professional will be cognizant of all the prevailing laws and will be able to obtain the obligatory permits required.

The Right Fence

A professional will be able to help clients choose the best fence for their needs. They’ll be able to introduce individuals to the different types of materials available that will achieve the intended goals and that will also provide an appealing aesthetic.

Quality

Hiring a fence professional will ensure that clients receive high-quality workmanship and quality fencing. As professionals, they’ll be licensed, certified, and if any problems arise they will make the needed changes or alterations at no additional charge.

Cost Savings

Last but not least is the savings that hiring a professional provides. They already have access to the needed tools, saving clients the cost of renting them or buying items that will only be used once. Their expertise and experience will prevent problems and costly mistakes. It also means clients will avoid the potential for expensive legal issues.

Privacy and beauty aren’t mutually exclusive with the modern fencing options available. There are multiple materials and styles of fencing that are fully capable of meeting both requirements and each comes with its own range of additional benefits.

Chain Link

Chain link fencing is typically known for its security benefits, but it can also provide privacy and beauty when paired with climbing vines or shrubbery. There are also privacy slats designed specifically for chain link that effectively blocks the view from the outside of the fencing. The slats are available in an array of different colors to accommodate any property stylings. The slats are resistant to UV rays and adverse weather conditions for a colorful and tasteful privacy solution.

PVC/Vinyl

Available in a myriad of colors, styles, and textures, it’s sturdy and durable. The fencing has a wide variety of customization options, requires little or no maintenance, and it’s resistant to weather, UV rays, and hurricane condition winds. With over 30 decorative options from which to choose, it’s a stylish way to obtain much needed privacy and doesn’t splinter, rot, chip or peel.

SimTek®

One of the most aesthetically pleasing options, SimTek® is also an eco-friendly material that provides the realistic look, texture, and appearance of wood, stone or granite. It provides the beauty that individuals want and creates a solid wall of privacy that’s also maintenance free. SimTek® is a highly effective barrier for muffling sounds and has a superior wind rating. It’s engineered to withstand wind gusts of up to 115 mph.

Wood

A wood fence is no longer the plain stockade type fence of the past. Today’s wood fences feature a wide variety of decorative touches encompassing lattice work, panels accentuated with a wrought iron style metal, and custom designs. Multiple types of wood are available from which to choose, ranging from cypress and redwood to cedar and even bamboo.

Chain link fences are a staple as a security option, but they may not fit the aesthetic of a neighborhood or the prevailing architectural style. However, there are ways to dress up a chain-link fence to make it more appealing and enhance privacy. The methods are more affordable than installing a new fence, but they’re not nearly as pretty and don’t afford the same level of privacy.

Slats

One of the easiest solutions is the installation of slats – sometimes called tube slats – specifically designed for chain link fences. They’re offered in a rainbow of colors and a couple of different styles. The slats improve privacy by about 75 percent, but don’t create a solid barrier. Small spaces between the slats will remain.

Plants

Individuals can plant vines and allow them to twine among the spaces in the fence. Flowering vines add beauty, but it will take time for the plants to accomplish their goal. Vines won’t eliminate small areas where people could peer in. The same problem exists when installing bushes and shrubs. The plantings will require time to mature, but they offer better coverage for privacy than vines.

Rolled Bamboo

Rolls of bamboo fencing/screens can be purchased and wired directly to the fence. It’s not particularly pretty, but it will elevate the level of privacy by approximately 85 percent.

Mesh Screen

These have the advantage of being wind and water permeable. They’re not necessarily the most attractive option, but privacy can be improved by 80-96 percent, depending on the density of the mesh. It’s available in different colors.

Wood Panels

There are wood panels that can be attached directly to chain link that will create a beautiful facade and provide privacy. However, permits may be required as it may be classified as an entirely new fence installation by local municipalities.

Canvas Fabric

The least aesthetically pleasing option, some individuals simply wire canvas fabric to their chain link fence. It’s available in multiple colors and will solve the problem of privacy, but it’s far from a pretty solution.

Fences are wonderful constructions that provide privacy, security, buffer outside noises, and beautify properties. They can look great for many years, but they’re also prone to some common problems of which people may not be aware until they occur. The following are the top 5 most common fence problems individuals may experience.

Sagging and Leaning

Many fencing materials are susceptible to sagging and leaning, particularly if it was a DIY installation. Fences that are erected in locations subject to high winds are at an increased risk of problems. Poor drainage and other soil conditions can rot and weaken fence posts, making them unable to support the weight of the fence.

Mold and Mildew

Both situations result in unsightly stains that ruin the appearance. Depending upon the material used, it can eventually lead to the degradation of the posts and fence.

Insects

There are multiple types of insect pests that will attack wood fencing. Their boring and breeding habits leave the wood vulnerable to the elements and rot. When they tire of the fence, they may move on to houses and outbuildings.

Boards, Pickets and Panels

Wind, insects, falling limbs, and failing hardware are all problems that can result in the loss of fence boards, pickets and panels.

Property Lines, Laws and Neighbors

Those three ingredients can cause more problems with fencing than all the others combined. It’s essential that individuals know exactly where their property lines are before any fence installation can commence. There are numerous rules, regulations and laws that will apply to fences ranging from heights, materials and styles depending where an individual is located. Permits will need to be obtained prior to installation.

It’s always a good idea to let neighbors know a fence will be going up. They may have a laundry list of concerns, complaints and objections since they may be responsible for a portion of its upkeep.

Hire a Professional

The top 5 problems with fencing are all reason to hire a professional fence installer. They can’t prevent disputes with neighbors, but they can help with selecting the best fencing for the client’s needs, will be cognizant of local fence regulations, and can obtain needed permits. A fencing expert can even assist individuals in determining where their property line lies and is experienced in installations in all types of soils.

Homeowners insurance will typically cover the cost of a damaged fence, but it will depend largely on how the damage was caused. Fence damage may fall under the “other structures” coverage of the policy and may be limited to damage that occurs as a result of vandalism or storms. It’s essential that individuals understand their policies and what it covers.

There may also be monetary limits attached to the amount of coverage provided in the form of percentages. Flood damage is typically excluded from standard coverage policies. Damage resulting from earthquakes is also excluded, even though Florida is tied with North Dakota for the fewest number of earthquakes. An earthquake is Florida is rare, but they have occurred.

Sinkholes are a very real concern for Florida residents and companies are required to offer catastrophic ground cover collapse. However, the coverage is only available as an add-on to an existing policy and individuals will incur additional costs for the coverage.

Fences can be exposed to a variety of damaging conditions and situations. While many of those may inflict damage that mars the cosmetic appearance of the fence, they won’t be covered by homeowners insurance. Fences can be struck by debris from lawn mowers, children driving “ride-on” vehicles, and landscaping mishaps – those aren’t covered. Fences afflicted with mold, fungi, insects, and normal wear and tear aren’t covered, either.

While a car crashing into a fence doesn’t happen very often, if one does damage a fence the homeowner’s policy should cover it. Individuals will also have the option of filing a claim against the driver’s auto insurance, assuming that the driver has an auto owner’s policy.

Trees and limbs falling on a fence from the policy holder’s yard are covered expenses. The insurance company can choose not to cover the damage if it decides the tree or limb fell due to negligence or lack of appropriate maintenance on the part of the homeowner.

If the damage occurs due to a neighbor’s tree, the insurance company may hold the neighbor responsible for the entire cost. The company may also choose to split the cost 50-50 between the homeowner and the neighbor, with homeowners paying the deductible.

Fences can beautify properties from the outside, but you may also want something to dress up and decorate your fence from the inside. There are dozens of creative ways to spruce up a fence that are equally applicable for solid or chain link fences. They can be utilized on the interior to brighten your view or used on the exterior to bring joy to those passing by.

Unique Planters

Planters are one of the most obvious. Additional interest comes from the creativeness of the planters themselves. Consider sections of old rain gutters, “pocket planters” for herbs made of burlap, or old tires. Canning jars and fancy bottles, old boots, wooden pallets, and even PVC pipe can be recycled and fashioned into cost-effective fence planters.

Add Lights

Battery and solar powered lights are an elegant and economical solution that doesn’t require any wiring. Individual lights are an excellent way to create ambiance or a fairy-like appearance while adding an extra level of safety within the environment. If light strings are used, they can be arranged in patterns, to spell out words, or artfully draped to beautify the fence landscape.

Artistic Design

If you have artistic skills – or know someone who does – you can paint or stencil a larger than life flower garden on your fence, a full-fledged mural to please the kids, or anything else you want. One of the most appealing aspects is that a desired design can be created in full color, a single hue, or with glow-in-the-dark paint for a one-of-a-kind look.

Colorful Cups

Specifically designed for chain link fences, the colorful plastic pieces are called “put-in-cups” and insert easily into the fence spaces. They can be utilized to create designs, spell out messages for schools, churches, birthdays, or anything else the imagination can devise.

Barbed wire is a powerful deterrent to would be intruders in any environment. The drawback is that while it may be legal, police warn against barbed wire and similar methods in certain circumstances as the owner could be held legally responsible for any injuries that an intruder sustains. Even posting appropriate warning signage may not be enough to absolve businesses from responsibility and the potential for litigation.

Barbed wire, like razor wire, is prohibited when adjacent to public right-of-ways in a wide variety of commercially zoned districts. Florida has very stringent laws governing the use of barbed wire in any capacity since it can be so dangerous. In non-residential areas, barbed wired can be used for security purposes on top of walls, fences and gates, but must be installed a minimum of six feet off the ground.

Due to its dangerous nature, barbed wire fencing is typically prohibited for use in a number of business environments. It’s usually found atop chain link fencing in industrial and construction settings to aid in the protection of equipment, tools, materials, and to protect against injuries by the general public that may intrude into areas that could prove dangerous. It may also be found to protect utility installations.

No business owner should attempt to hang barbed wire unless they’re fully cognizant of the rules for their specific industry and within their location. Barbed wire is typically the least preferable solution in a variety of situations due to the business owner’s potential liability for injuries should someone attempt to intrude on the property.

There’s a wealth of other options available and the ultimate choice will depend upon the business, usage, and location. The best solution is to consult with a fencing professional who will be knowledgeable of the regulations governing the use of barbed wire in multiple settings.

People are always looking for ways to increase the value of their home and one of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors is by creating a unique environment in your own back yard. There are a number of ways that you can increase your home’s value in the event you decide to sell. Even if you don’t plan to sell, you can enjoy the features yourself.

Decks and Patios

Decks and patios provide you with an outdoor space for entertainment and give you approximately 9 percent ROI on your investment. Patios typically offer the same ROI and provide the same benefits.

Fencing

One of the most jealously guarded assets of any home is privacy and fencing can provide that while improving home values. Fencing also provides efficient camouflage for undesirable elements such as trash bins, utility meters, and AC units. ROI will depend on the scope of the fencing and materials.

Fire Pit

A fire pit can provide an average of 67 percent return on investment, depending on the type of fire pit that’s selected. It’s a good idea to check with the local fire department, county commission or homeowner’s association as there may be restrictions on the type that’s allowed.

Irrigation System

An irrigation system takes the work out of watering and ensures a lush and attractive lawn for curb appeal. It’s an easy solution that will give you about 86 percent ROI, while also saving water and money on your water costs.

Landscaping

Privacy is in high demand and homes that have been landscaped for privacy have the potential to recoup 100 percent of the costs during a sale. You don’t have to spend a lot to create an oasis of calm and privacy. Even a small amount of landscaping can add curb appeal and seal the deal for buyers.

Outdoor Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen can provide approximately 71 percent ROI. Meals can be cooked outside without messing up the indoor kitchen. Your outdoor kitchen can encompass everything from a wet bar and pizza oven to refrigerator and elaborate grill/burner combos.

Pool and Outdoor Shower

A pool is one of the most often added features to a home’s landscaping. An added bonus is an outdoor shower alongside the pool area. The shower can increase home values by up to 7 percent.

Sound System

A sound system is always a bonus and can provide the soundtrack for a patio or pool party to the feel of a tropical island. With modern technology, there’s no need to install an expensive wired system.

Size really does matter – especially when it comes to the gate on a fence. Most people assume that a gate should simply be as large as the driveway, but there are a myriad of other factors to consider. It may seem like a simple decision, but it’s not. A professional fencing company can help with determining the appropriate size.

The primary problem with gates is that many individuals think a smaller gate provides better privacy or security, only to discover that they can barely get their car through the entryway. That doesn’t even count large mowers, boats, campers, and other types of recreational vehicles.

Common gate sizes range from 10 to 16 feet and custom sizes are available. Ordinarily, a gate should be a few inches wider than the driveway. However, that will need to be altered if a homeowner has a very small driveway or owns a large pickup truck, one with dual wheels, or a wide variety of large equipment, trailers, or RVs.

Smaller gates will cost less and be less expensive to maintain. Single and double gates are available, but a double gate will require additional room to swing open to its widest point.  Gates should always swing inward toward the property rather than outward toward traffic and sidewalks. Sliding gates are also an option and are particularly effective for those with commercial properties or large vehicles.

Even if homeowners don’t currently own an RV, boat or other vehicle, it’s a future consideration for which they should plan. As families change over the years, so do the vehicles they purchase and the recreational options they may choose.

Something else for homeowners to consider is any restrictions on height, width or style. Homeowners associations often enact restrictions. Communities may have their own guidelines. That’s why it’s a good idea to hire a professional fencing company rather than attempting a DIY project. The company will be cognizant of local regulations, be able to obtain all the required permits, and help clients select the right size gate for their fencing needs.