How To Plan A Fence Design

Planning a fence design

Planning a new fence can be a hassle, and it’s a challenging hurdle for any new homeowner or even a veteran homeowner to accomplish. Picking out the material and finding the perfect layout all create a nightmare for the unprepared.

Luckily, we’re covering how to plan a fence in this article!

What Material Should You Use?

Wood

This is the most common fence type. Wood is sturdy, and when taken care of, can last for a very long time (about fifteen years). Wood is also gorgeous, especially in the nicer wood types (such as oak or redwood) or when it’s been painted in attractive colors (such as white or dark brown). Wood is also the most environmentally friendly of all the material types.

Chain Link

A chain-link fence is a fence made up of wires woven into a pattern (often a square-tipped onto a point). It’s typically very sturdy and weather resistant. It’s easy to maintain and keep clean, and it’s incredibly cheap (the cheapest material on the market). It has a lifespan (if properly taken care of) of about twenty-five to thirty years. Chain Link fences can also be made of vinyl, but those are much rarer and more expensive.

Vinyl

Vinyl fences are made with plastic, specifically made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is the only type of plastic used to make vinyl fences. Vinyl fences are easy to maintain and clean and can often be painted or treated to look like wood. They have a life span of between twenty and thirty years. It’s also incredibly strong – about five times stronger than wood. It’s also relatively cheap, which makes it a good option for someone looking for a mix of affordability, flexibility, longevity, and aesthetics.

Aluminum

These are stately types of metal fences that offer a majestic beauty to any estate. Unlike other metals, aluminum does not rust, rot, or decay. It’s incredibly versatile and can come in various colors, shapes, and lengths. It’s easy to clean, just like the chain link and the vinyl, and can last up to nearly fifty years! It’s also environmentally friendly, as about 70% of its makeup is recycled metal.

What Do You Want to Accomplish with Your Fence Design?

I have pets.

If you have pets, you want a fence that doesn’t have significant gaps, which knocks a wooden or vinyl picket fence out of the equation.

If it’s a dog and it’s on the more aggressive or more prominent side, metal fences, such as the aluminum or chain link, will be your best bet, as they’re quite strong and hard for dogs to climb or jump over.

Wooden fences in the privacy style will work if you have a medium or small-sized dog, but you’re looking for something that’ll be stronger than your dog but more aesthetically pleasing.

If you have large animals, a split rail fence is what you’re looking for.

I need privacy.

In that case, a wooden privacy fence is what you need! It blocks sight and noise to a large extent and raises the value of your home. It’s also challenging to climb, which offers an added layer of security.

I want to raise my home value.

There’s an extensive debate on the market on what type would be the best if you’re hoping to raise your home value maybe, so I’d do your research into the other types of fences in your neighborhood and what might look the best with the house. Some fences might not raise value, but they might entice buyers with furry friends if you plan to sell your home.

I’m just trying to section something off, so people don’t go there (such as a pool or yard).

In that case, an aluminum or chain link fence will be perfect for you!

What are the Unique Circumstances of Your Property?

No two fence builds are the same. Each home has its own unique landscape and problems.

An example of special circumstances would be sloping on the area you intend to install a fence. Ground that isn’t flat or even relatively level can pose a problem for some of the fence types of installation, so it’s important to know what you’re working with and let the person installing your fence know.

Another example would be if you happen to live in a place that often floods, so the ground is always wet, mushy, or muddy. Do you live in an area where the ground is unstable? Or where water congregates and sits for long periods? Conditions such as these as essential to remember when planning your fence. Considering common natural disasters (if you happen to live in a hurricane, tornado, or flood zone) and weather (if you live in an area with severe weather, ice, or snow) is often another point many homeowners miss.

Codes and Regulations

This will be the nail in your coffin if you aren’t careful. Most residential areas have local codes and rules on where you can place your fence, how high it can be, and what it can be made out of. The first step in your process should ALWAYS be checking these codes and regulations before you build. Otherwise, you might start building or finish building, only to be told by a committee or official that you must tear the whole fence down because it’s breaking the law. In which case, you lose the hundreds of dollars and hours you put into your project.

It’s also good to talk with your neighbors before you put a new fence in, mainly if the fence is one that you will share or borders the edge of their property. They may have some issues or concerns they wish to share.

If you’re worried about any of this, of course, you can give our experts a call! They’re up to date on all the current rules and regulations, so they can tell you what is allowed and not allowed in your area.

Please call us if you have any questions about any of this! After all, fencing is our specialty! We’ve been a top-rated fence contractor for a long time now, and we love helping others.