Fences are essential features of many homes. It works to mark off the boundaries of your property, secure the space within from the rest of the neighbourhood, protects children and pets by keeping them within the family's private space, and providing an additional decorative touch to complement the entire house.
If you're having a house built or renovated, or if it's time to replace the ratty old fence that's been standing around your house for what seems like forever, then there are a number of considerations you need to go over to make sure that you pick the best possible fence for your property — in particular, the type of material to be used for the fence. You have a number of options, and to help you decide, check out the brief guide provided below.
Metal or aluminium fences
If security and protection are your primary reasons for installing a fence around your house, then you're most likely to be drawn to metal varieties. Here are the pros of purchasing metal fences:
· Metal fences, like chain link fences, are affordable, easy to install, and low maintenance.
· They are typically identical on both sides, so from whichever angle you look at the fence, it will always look uniform.
· You can obtain fence kits that already come with rails, posts, hardware and prefabricated panels for easy installation.
· Many metals used for fences are resistant to rust and graffiti.
· If you're going for a Victorian or early American look for your home, iron fences will complement the style perfectly.
Wood
If you're a more traditional homeowner, wood would be an excellent choice of material for your fence. Some varieties, like cedar, are ideal for use as fences as they are long-lasting and naturally resistant to many environmental rot conditions. You can also pick fir, pine or spruce.
· Wood fences come in many forms: picket fences, latticework panels, prefabricated fence panels, post and rail fences, and such — and each will offer its own kind of charm.
· Metal poles can be used to prevent wood fences form coming into contact with the ground and succumbing to damage.
· You can uses stain or paint to change the colour and enhance the look of pressure-treated wood for your fence.
· There are many other versions of wood fences, like split rail, shadowbox, and ranch fences.
Concrete, brick or stone fences
If maximum security from the glances and unauthorised entry of passersby is your desire, you can't go wrong with selecting stone fences. The material is decidedly durable and long-lasting. Stone fences can be poured into a mould around your house, or they can be precast in a different facility and then assembled at your property.
· Once installed, stone or concrete fences will serve as a formidable barrier between your home and the public.
· Stone is ideal if you mean to build low border fences or high privacy walls all around your house.
· Brick, stone and concrete can be covered with plastering to match your house's colour. Leaving it to weather and develop an aged look is also an easy way to let it adopt some decorative style.