There are any number of reasons to add a fence to your yard. From a desire for privacy in the back yard to hiding unsightly views or even to up your home’s curb appeal, whatever your goal, there’s a style and material of fencing to suit your needs. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common reasons for wanting to add a fence to your yard and suggested the best fencing design and material to go along with them.
If you want to increase your home’s landscape appeal…
…the fencing world is your oyster. When it comes to materials, the best fence for your yard will largely depend on the style of your home and garden. Wood and aluminum are both classic choices. With it’s low maintenance cost, a classy aluminum fence can increase your home’s curb appeal with an ROI of 65%.
The height and style you choose will also depend on if you’re fencing in the front or back yard. A picket fence can be a nice addition to a front yard, while in the back you may prefer a more solid style to demarcate your yard and keep your shrubbery and landscaping contained. Not to mention your pets and children (more on containing small mammals later).
If you want more privacy…
…consider a fence with minimum space between the panels. Vinyl, sheet, metal, and wood are all options for privacy fences. Wood panel fences, also called stockade fences, account for 80 to 90% of fences, according to U.S. zoning committee experts. The wooden panels can be set to butt against each other for maximum privacy.
The height of the fence will vary depending on your yard’s slope and your panel choices, but most privacy fences range from five to eight feet in height. To help you determine the height you need, you can cut a piece of cardboard and have someone hold it up while you walk your yard. Try standing and sitting in various areas to decide if the height of your cardboard will provide the privacy your after.
If having a towering privacy fence feels like too much, you could consider varying the height of your fence’s rails with a stepped design. This way you can place the tallest section where you need the most privacy without blocking yourself in with a wall of fencing.
If you want more security…
… look for a taller fence design. You’ll probably want to steer away from a design that allows for handholds or easy climbing such as having horizontal boards on the outside. Also have your fence installation company equip you with a strong gate that can be locked.
With security fences, you want to build at least eight feet high. If an eight foot wall doesn’t sound appealing, you could always add a trellis or other decorative accent to the top to bring it to eight feet in total.
If you want to block the wind…
… you’re still best off with a solid panel design. If you don’t want to forsake your views, consider a glass fence. Otherwise, any privacy-style fencing with no space between the rails will work. When setting the height, remember your fence will need to be tallest where people will be standing. Seating areas can be shielded with a lower fence that doesn’t block as much of the view.
If you want to keep your pets (or children) in…
… you must first determine how high they can jump and how good they are at digging. If you have small dogs, a three to four foot fence may suffice. If those small dogs have springs for legs, you might need to increase that height. The same thing is true for the depth of your fence. To prevent digging under fence boards, have your residential fence installation company bury the rails at least six inches beneath ground level.
Containment fences can have the added benefit of hiding visuals stimuli. Opt for solid boards to keep Sparky from barking at the neighbor’s cat every time it walks by.
Of those homeowners who are upgrading their yards, 51% spend six or more hours enjoying them each week. Don’t let a lack of a fence keep you inside.