Residential Fencing: What’s Right for You?

When you drive down any given street in a typical suburban area, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a home without a fence. Whether it’s made from vinyl, wood, or another common fencing material, fences make a home more safe, secure, and stylistically appealing. It’s essential to install a fence that’s up to local government codes and regulations, so you and your family can reap the benefits of a newly erected barrier.

Every Home Needs a Fence

Fences are one of the most integral components of a well-functioning home. There is a wide array of advantages and benefits to installing a fence on your residential property.

Unsurprisingly, different people enjoy unique stylistic choices. Luckily, there are also several different fencing styles for homeowners and residential property owners to choose from for a new fence. Below, we explore the various options of fence types for residential homes.

Types of Fences

Homeowners who need a new fence or are looking to replace an existing one can choose between several unique fencing options, with a plethora of stylistic choices to reflect personal preferences. Many homeowners opt for these main fence types:

• Vinyl
• Wood
• Chain link
• Ornamental wrought iron
• Living fences

You’re probably already familiar with a few of these fence types, but let’s explore the different options to discover what makes each individual style so excellent for homeowners.

Vinyl Fencing

For a clean and classic look, many homeowners opt for vinyl fencing. Vinyl fences are a popular choice for their low installation costs and minimal maintenance.

Vinyl is a manufactured material consisting of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), which will not rust or rot like other types of fences. The plastic-like appearance of vinyl is attractive and often comes in a wide range of colors and finishes, so there’s always a vinyl fence to fit your style.

Although vinyl fences are sometimes subject to algae or other moldy growths, it’s effortless to clean. Vinyl fences are available in a picket style typical of most suburban homes, or there are vinyl privacy fences to help keep prying eyes away.

Chain Link

Chain link fences are another typical choice for residential homeowners. This durable, sturdy fence style isn’t quite as aesthetically appealing as vinyl or other ornamental types, but it still has its place in your yard.

Chain link fences are a fantastic choice to fence in a yard for pets and children or to add around a pool. Fencing companies like Northland Fence carry several styles of chain link fence, including:

• Galvanized steel chain link
• Coated vinyl chain link fences

The slick, coated chain links camouflage against the natural elements of your yard, so even if the chain link look itself is not your style, it won’t be entirely noticeable by any neighbors.

Unfortunately, chain link fences are prone to rust throughout their lifetime. However, removing rust from chain link fences is a straightforward process, which you should include in your annual fence maintenance checklist.

Ornamental Wrought Iron Fences

Wrought iron is a material that has been used in construction for thousands of years. Whether it was to form tools or to craft stunning works of architecture like balconies and gates, our world has gotten good use out of wrought iron.

You can install an ornamental wrought iron fence right on your own residential property as well. Wrought iron is a malleable material, but modern wrought iron fences are more commonly made from steel materials. The strength of the steel materials makes wrought iron fences an excellent, long-lasting option for any homeowner.

The great thing about wrought iron is that it adds an austere atmosphere to any property. Wrought iron is a great choice for large, sprawling lawns. You can garner inspiration for your ornamental wrought iron fence with these eye-catching landmarks from around the world.

Living Fences

Another exciting style for homeowners is a living fence. Living fences look just like they sound; these fences are made from living trees and shrub species. There are several types of shrubs that, when pruned to perfection, can create the same effect as a fence.

Living fences are a popular landscaping choice among homeowners with large lawns or private pools and spas. Thick, lush boughs of native shrubs help shroud your backyard in privacy, making it easy to enjoy a quiet night alone by the pool without the prying eyes of your next-door neighbors.

The best way to get a beautiful living fence is with the help of an expert landscaping service in your area. Alternatively, you can always turn this idea into a weekend DIY project with a quick visit to a local nursery. Living fences are typically outside the area of expertise of a regular fencing company or contractor, but they are not unattainable.

Wood Fencing: Why We Won’t Recommend It

The last type of fencing on our list is wood. Like many other fencing contractors, we here at Northland Fence do not recommend installing a wooden fence for a number of reasons.

Wood is prone to rotting and warping, plus it can be deeply impacted by algae, mold, and other unsightly growth. Without a pressure washer, cleaning and maintaining wooden fences is a tricky task. If you have a wood fence on your property already, we always recommend upgrading to a new fence style that withstands weathering through its lifespan and requires minimal maintenance throughout the year.

Top 10 Reasons to Install a Fence

Now that you know all the different types of residential fencing available, it’s time to uncover the top reasons to install a fence on your property. Below, we list out some of the most important reasons for a homeowner to install a residential fence:

1. Increased Security

The number one reason all residential properties need a fence is for added protection and security. Fences are a formidable opponent for animals and other unlikely intruders that you want to keep off your lawn. Hopefully, you never have to fend away home invaders, but if you have a well-built fence, there is at least some deterrent for criminal deviants.

2. More Privacy

Another excellent quality of residential fencing is the increased levels of privacy on your property. Pool fencing or a fence around your backyard patio can keep conversations and activities private and away from the nosy neighbors next door.

3. Indicate Property Lines

Obviously, fences are a great way to indicate your property line. Determine the line through data from your local government and erect a fence to ensure that everything on your property stays within the boundaries.

4. Improved Property Value

Fences also up the value of your property and home. Potential buyers will see a house without a fence and think of the extra expenses it will take to install one themselves. With a fence already in place, you can woo prospective buyers and get the best bang for your buck when selling your home.

5. Reflect Your Style

The great thing about fences is that there are a variety of types available. Since there are so many stylistic options, between wrought iron, vinyl, chain link, and more, you can always find a fence to suit your taste perfectly.

6. Protect Children

Adequate fencing is integral for any homeowner with small children. Babies, toddlers, and even children in the years beyond are curious by nature. Stop wandering minds and bodies with a barrier such as a fence.

7. Keep Pets Inside

Just like children, fences also keep pets safely inside your property boundaries. Fenced-in yards are excellent for pet owners because it gives a safe space for your dog (or cat, or any other outdoor pet you have) to wander freely while still staying within the confines of your yard.

8. Deter Intruders

As we stated earlier, fences are an optimal way to keep intruders off of your property. The added protection from a well-constructed fence is invaluable for homeowners.

If you have a backyard pool, spa, or patio, fences are especially important. Your fence will help stop intruders from stealing patio furniture or other expensive items from your backyard oasis.

9. Weather Protection

Yet another added benefit of fences is their weather protection. Block strong wind gusts and blowing debris during storms with a fence. This advantage comes in handy especially during heavy storms, protecting your house and other landscaping elements from any damage.

10. Lower Noise Levels

Privacy fences such as a vinyl privacy fence also provide exceptional noise reduction for homeowners. Adding a layer of material between you and your neighbors helps keep noise levels down during pool parties or other outdoor events and activities at your home. Appease even the angriest of old, nasty neighbors with a privacy fence for noise reduction.

Ensuring Your Residential Fence is up to Code

Now that you know the ins and outs of residential fencing types and all their amazing features and benefits, it’s time to consider installing your new fence. First, it’s crucial to consider local building regulations and codes. It’s easy to uncover these rules online or with the help and guidance of local courts or town hall offices.

Fencing codes can affect several aspects of your fence. There are multiple fence code requirements to be aware of, including:

• Fence height
• Opacity
• Material requirements
• Setbacks (distance between the fence and road)
• Room for sidewalks
• Flood zones
• Traffic regulations
• Property lines

It’s important to note that residential fencing codes can vary from state to state or even city to city in the United States. Work with an experienced fencing contractor in your area to determine all the necessary rules and regulations to follow before beginning your fence installation.

Install a Fence Today

Installing a fence might not seem like an easy task, but it is always a great idea for residential property owners. To simplify this home improvement project, start with a local fencing company that can help with all the details. A good fencing contractor will assess your property and provide an accurate estimate or quote before beginning work on your fence installation.

Choose the fencing style that suits your home and personal aesthetic and follow up with local legislation to ensure it’s up to code. Keeping yourself, your home, and your family safe and protected from outside elements or intruders is easy with a properly installed fence.