What Type of Fence Should You Buy?

Is your fence falling apart after years of wear and tear? Did you just move into a house that didn’t come with a fence? What type of fence should you buy? If you are considering investing in a fence but don’t know where or what type of fence to get, you need to answer The Cesi Pagano Team’s list of important questions before calling a fencing company or going to a home improvement store.

What is the fence’s purpose?

This is the first and most important question you need to answer. It will determine the form and height of your fence. Fences have many purposes depending on how and where they will be used. For example:

Privacy: Keeps your lawn private, allowing you to relax in your own backyard oasis.

Security/Safety: Protects your home, pets, and children. If you want to keep your pets and children from wandering off a fence is a great option. Also if you have a pool or just want to keep others from wandering in, a fence for security and safety is a must.

Decoration: Accents your home and landscape. It can make your home and backyard feel completed.

What materials should I use?

Once you know your fence’s function, you can decide on your materials. If you want a decorative fence, you should consider a light and natural option such as wood or wrought iron. But if you’re looking for privacy or security, you should choose a stronger material like brick. Here’s a list of the most common materials used in fence construction:

Wood: This is a great material that can be stained or painted to match your home or backyard color scheme. Most wood fences can last anywhere between 15 to 20 years with regular maintenance. Wood boards are good for privacy, while wood pickets are good for decoration. Wood isn’t the best choice for security since the boards can be ripped away.

Metal: Metal includes aluminum, steel, wrought iron, and chain link. Chain link and aluminum are not ideal for privacy, and not the most visually appealing for decoration purposes. Steel and wrought iron are good for home security and privacy depending on how they are arranged. This option is more expensive then wood and if you live near the ocean they are more susceptible to rust.

Brick: While brick is one of the most expensive options, it requires the least amount of maintenance. Brick cuts down on noise (great for if your backyard backs up to a busy street), and can be used for all purposes – privacy, decoration, and safety. It’s important to have a strong foundation to build the brick wall on or the wall could shift and crack due to erosion.

Remember, all fences come will different amounts of maintenance, so be sure you chose a material that you will be willing to put up with. You should also keep in mind that some neighborhoods have certain requirements and specifications regarding fences, so be sure to check with your homeowners/neighborhood association.

Cesi Pagano

What Type of Fence Should You Buy?