Whether you are enclosing a swimming pool, accenting your landscaping, creating some privacy, protecting your property, or keeping your children and pets inside the yard, your fence serves a very important purpose to you.
Because of that, it’s important to make sure that if you’re considering building a new fence, that you know everything about what it takes to get your new fence in the ground. Building a fence shouldn’t be hard, and it shouldn’t be stressful. Make the building of your fence as easy for yourself as possible, and follow our guide about all the things to consider when you’re building your dream fence.
Knowing When You Need a New Fence
Maybe you’re on the fence about needing a new fence, or maybe you’re just not sure if your fence needs to be replaced or repaired, no worries! Here is what to keep in mind to help you determine if your old fence needs to be replaced:
Does your fence lean?
Leaning fences are a prime sign of foundational damage or damage to the railings. Damage of this nature can be irreversible, and your fence will likely need to be replaced.
Is your fence water damaged or rusty?
Water damage and/or rust on a fence can show that it is at the end of its life. Its protective coat has broken down or damaged the railings. If the damage is extensive, it may be time to replace your fence.
Does your wooden fence have holes in it?
Holes, cracks, and damage to the planks affect the fence's stability and make it prone to more damage and even collapse in the future. If your wooden fence has extensive damage, it may be time to replace it.
If you have a vinyl fence, is it discolored or cracked?
Discolored vinyl can indicate that your fence is beginning to break down or has been damaged or sunbleached. It may be time to replace it. Vinyl can get brittle in the winter and may crack if hit; if it is cracked, it may be a good idea to replace it.
Do you not have a fence?
Do you want privacy for your yard? A privacy wall for your patio? Need to delineate your property line? Keep your kids or pets inside? Not having a fence and wanting one is a good sign that you need a new fence!
If you’re unsure about whether you need to replace your fence, get a second opinion! Hire a contractor or local professional to come out and inspect your fence.
What are your Local Laws and Regulations?
When it comes to building your fence, there are people you need to check in with before beginning construction to ensure your fence has as long a life as possible.
First, you need to check in with your neighbors. Let them know you’re about to begin construction, especially if you share a fence, and communicate about your plans. Build within your property lines and respect your neighbors' property when planning out your fence and during construction. Building your fence outside your property, or creating unnecessary mess, stress, or destruction can cause tension and can result in your fence needing to be taken down.
Outside of your neighbors, don’t forget to consult with your homeowners' association and/or local government about regulations for fencing. These rules can determine your fence’s height, color, style, and really everything about it. So make sure before starting that you know what kind of fence you can safely build without having to have it taken down.
What Kind of Climate Do You Live in?
Once you’ve looked into what sort of fence you can build in your area, it’s time to start planning the type of fence you want to get. There are a few factors you should take into consideration when deciding on the materials for your new fence.
Where you live impacts what kind of fence you can get. In colder climates, an aluminum fence may be your best choice since vinyl gets brittle in cold weather, and wood is subject to taking water damage from the snow and breaking more easily than metal. People in warmer climates may prefer vinyl because of its flexibility and ease of cleaning that allow it to last for a long time in warm climates. In contrast, aluminum may become too hot to the touch, and wood may take on sun bleaching or insect damage.
If you live somewhere with cold winters, you will want to consider the potential effects the weather might have on your fence and what sort of maintenance you may need to do in the winter. When pouring the foundation for your fence posts, make sure to dig 36 inches down to avoid the concrete footing cracking from the cold.
What Style are you Looking For?
Another thing to consider is that the material you decide on affects the look and style of the fence you can get. If you have a certain look in mind, that can influence the material you can build with.
Chain link fences have a very distinct crossed look. They are cheap to build, but they may not fit the aesthetic that you’re aiming for. If you’re looking to put up a fence as cheaply as possible without caring about how it looks, a chain link may be the best choice for you.
Wooden fences are good for privacy and have plain slats/pickets. Wooden fences are sturdy and have a distinct look. They can be stained and painted, making them more customizable than chain link fences. This customization comes at a cost, though, since wooden fences require more upkeep than other fence styles because wood breaks down faster than metal or vinyl. They are also one of the more expensive types of fences to build and style.
Aluminum fences showcase your yard and create a more modern, stylish look. They come in pickets and are much more durable than wood and chain link. They are weather-resistant, do not need as much upkeep, and can still come in whatever color you need for your project. Aluminum fencing is also better for the environment than wood, as they are made from recycled materials. You can check out our catalog of aluminum fences for more details.
Vinyl fences are also best for privacy and have the widest range of styles and colors to choose from. They are sturdy, weather resistant, easily maintained with just some soap and water, and do not get sun damaged. Vinyl is the most versatile and long-lasting fence you can germ check out our catalog of vinyl fencing for more details.
What Kind of Maintenance Does it Need?
Another detail you need to consider before committing to a fence is what kind of maintenance you need to do for it. Maintenance is crucial to a fence’s lifespan and curb appeal, and some fence types are harder to maintain than others.
Wooden fences require detailed yearly maintenance. They need to be scrubbed down, repainted, resealed to prevent weather or fungal damage, and repaired as they begin to break down. If you are not wanting to commit to maintaining your fence to lengthen its lifespan, consider getting an aluminum, chain link, and vinyl fence. They don’t require a lot of maintenance outside of a yearly cleaning or powerwashing just to keep them looking fresh and clean.
Which Side Do You Want to See?
Which way should your fence face? For traditional wooden fences, there will be a rough side. So there will be a less appealing side to choose which way it needs to face. Typically, you should keep the finished side facing outwards towards your neighbors and passersby. The hardware and the rough side should be facing your yard.
This may not be ideal, but for a fence to add to your curb appeal, others have to be able to see its beauty. The best way to get around this conundrum would be to buy a “board on board” fence that would cover the rough side and make the inside of your fence look like the outside. This is more expensive and can add a lot of money to your project, so you may consider using a different material like vinyl or aluminum as they do not have a rough side.
Should You Build Your Own Fence?
When it comes to fence installation, you have a couple of options. You can either hire a contractor to help you or try to do it yourself.
The allure of building your own fence is a strong one. If you are able-bodied or are knowledgeable in how to build a fence, you can save yourself a lot of money in the long run. Building it yourself also means you have the freedom to choose every detail about your fence, and comes with the added bonus of the satisfaction that comes from just doing it yourself. The downside is that if you do it incorrectly, you may still need to hire a contractor to come and fix what is wrong.
Contractors are more knowledgeable in how to build the fence and how to keep it standing. They also have a crew of people who can get your fence put up more quickly than you would be able to by yourself. Hiring a contractor can cost a lot of money, though. You can save on some of those costs by purchasing your own materials through Direct Fencing, but hiring someone to put it together might be outside your budget.
There is no ultimate correct answer about what you should do. Just make sure to weigh out the pros and cons of both sides and do what is best for you and your project.
Decorations
Now for the fun part, how to decorate your new fence! It’s always fun to decorate for the holidays, so why leave your fence out? String up some lights or garland for Christmas, hang some gourds and pumpkins for the fall, and maybe even add some extra flowers and sparkle for Valentine's Day!
If you're someone who likes gardening, climbing vines are a must and can also serve to cover up the rough side of a wood fence. In a similar vein, you can also get hanging planters to hang from your fence or raised flower beds to cover the bottom and fill them with seasonal plants to add that extra flare to your yard.
Like spending time outside at night? Consider hanging string lights. Are you artsier? Add your own personal touch by painting a mural on your fence or hanging garden art from them.
The sky is really the limit for decorations, just have fun and remember anything you put on your fence should be weather-resistant.
While there may be a lot of things to think about and plan for when buying a fence, don’t stress. Fencing Direct is here for you, so kick your feet up and start planning out your new fence.
