We love having an open backyard but the time has come to create a safe haven for our daughter. She is pulling up on end tables and couches and will soon be walking. When the weather is nice we will want to be outside. But with neighbors on both sides and a road that runs along the back of our property it is an unsafe area for her. The neighbors have a pool that has a fence, but the gate is not always closed and the road has a lot of traffic that speeds by all too quickly.

There are many reasons why people build fences. Some build them to keep their pets in and other pests out. Those pests could be unwanted neighbors or the 4-legged furry creatures that chew on flowers and plant. Many are built for security, protection, and privacy.

We live in a beautiful new home and it was built to resemble the Victorian homes of the mid-19^th century. It is rich in details and the fence we choose will need to complement our home as well as provide the protection we need.

The options are endless when it comes to choosing what materials and styles to build a fence from. Some people choose to build their own from scratch, some choose to install a factory built fence and some other may choose to have a professional suggest the right fence for them and take the hands off approach. Fences aren’t cheap so do your homework and choose what will work best for you and your lot.

If you have a neighborhood or community association that govern your area and what can and can’t be constructed you need to start with them first. The decision of what type of fence to use may not be your decision. They may have material, height, and lot restrictions that are enforced to create a carefully planned and pleasing neighborhood. After that the next stop should be to the building department to find out what types of legal forms you need to fill out before beginning the project.

Next is the fun part – the planning and picking of materials and styles. Fences come in a range of materials including vinyl, vinyl composite aluminum, ornamental, chain link, wood, wrought iron, brick, stone, concrete and even deer fence.

Before deciding on a material it is important to think about the end result. If you want to block out the neighbors and create a closed-in back yard then you will need to choose a fence type that you cannot see through such as vinyl, brick, stone, concrete or wood. Vinyl and wood planks would then need to be closely placed together to create a solid-looking fence. If you want to create a safe have but still see out you can also use vinyl and wood but space the planks out to allow visibility. Vinyl fencing appeals to many because it is durable, low-maintenance, and never has to be painted or stained. It is more expensive but is a quality fence that will last a long time. For a perfect match you can even create a fence out of the same vinyl or composite siding used on your home.

Stone, concrete or brick fences are beautiful and durable. They are very attractive but do hit the pocket book a little harder that other types of fencing. Many of the concrete fencing materials offer unique pre-cast designs in different shapes and colors.  They are maintenance-free and won’t warp, sag, or rot.

Ornamental fencing is also a great option. They create elegant, maintenance free strength and visibility. Ornamental fencing is available in wrought iron, aluminum or steel and the design patterns and colors are endless.

Chain link fence is another popular choice. Although used mainly in commercial fence applications it can be used for residential. It is a practical style of fence to use and very cost effective. It is galvanized which is silver in color but also comes in other colors such as black, dark green, brown and white. Privacy slats can be woven through the links to create a privacy fence.

Deer fencing is a barrier that will keep deer from destroying your landscaping and gardens. It is made of a poly material that comes in rolls and it nearly invisible.

Many choices are also available for posts, newel tops, gates, lattice accents, and of course a myriad of colors are available for all of these. All accents add cost but also value. Many consumers choose to mix fence types to create a style of their own. I’m sure you have seen the beautiful stone posts with ornamental fence creating the barrier. Mixing and matching is great but be careful not to over do it. Adding height can also all to the cost but if you are trying to block out an ugly building in the background make sure the fence you are building is high enough from all areas of your backyard to block the unsightly view. When considering access to your fenced in back yard take into consideration the traffic pattern. Don’t put the gate too close to where you intend to heat up the grill. If you are using the fence as security then make sure the locks you choose will keep out unwanted visitors and will also keep your little ones from trying to sneak out.

With so many options to choose from it is a bit overwhelming. But when the fence is added to our home it will not only create our dream backyard but will also add to our property value.  We will have the peace of mind knowing that our backyard is truly safe. The outdoors will be enjoyed with the assurance our daughter is safe and cannot make her way beyond the fence unless we are with her.

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