You might have heard the saying, “Good fences make good neighbors.” If you are looking for more privacy from your neighbors or want to give your home more curb appeal, investing in a fence for your property is a great solution. We detail 8 reasons why you should install a fence in your yard.
8 Reasons for Installing a Fence
1. Safety for Kids and Pets
Protecting your home and loved ones is one of the most important reasons to install a fence. A fence can be a protective barrier around your home, whether you want to keep the kids or intruders out.
Adding a fence to your yard will provide a safe space to send your children for outdoor playtime, ultimately keeping them away from the digital devices that rule our world. Once installed, children and pets would be free to run and play without fear of running into traffic, providing you with peace of mind.
A fence can protect kids from dangerous elements outside your property, like lakes, ponds, cliffs, or hills. It can even prevent a stranger from approaching your children.
If you have a pool, a fence can also help prevent incidents such as drowning, as it can serve as a deterrent to prevent people from using your pool without your permission.
A fence also gives an aggressive dog space to run and play without worrying that it may attack an innocent passerby.
Best fence types for safety:
Wood
Vinyl
Aluminum
Iron
Chain-link
2. Provides Security
No one wants a bunch of strangers traipsing through their yard or garden and potentially ruining their precious petunias. A fence is your first defense against trespassers, intruders, criminals, or vandals. It can also act as a barrier and even protect your home from an out-of-control vehicle on the road.
Steel
Iron
Aluminum
Chain-link
3. Creates Boundaries
Building a fence will clearly define your property lines which could prevent possible future disputes with any current or future neighbors. This can be especially important if you live in a neighborhood where your houses are close. It also will mark where your maintenance responsibilities begin and end for lawn mowing, cleaning leaves, and removing trees.
Visually, it can also make future landscape or home improvement planning easy. If you plan to add to your home, build a swingset or treehouse, or install a pool, it helps to see how much space you have for your project.
Best fence types for creating boundaries:
Wood
Steel
Iron
Aluminum
Vinyl
Stone
Chain-link
4. Adds Privacy
Many homeowners think of their outdoor living space as an oasis away from the world, their little piece of paradise, or even an extension of their indoor space. A privacy fence can be a great solution to prevent the neighborhood busybody from spying on your family. You can also plant trees and/or bushes near your fence to add even more of a barrier, helping to prevent prying eyes.
As many dogs love to bark at anyone walking past, a non-see-through fence, such as a wooden fence, could help stop your dog from barking at passersby.
Best fence types for privacy:
Vinyl
Wood
Shrub
Aluminum
Bamboo
Brick
5. Increases Curb Appeal
A fence doesn’t have only to serve a security or privacy purpose. Installing a high-quality fence also can be a way to add to the visual aesthetics of your property.
Whether you choose a stylish ornamental fence or the classic white picket fence, a carefully selected fence can make your yard go from ordinary to the envy of the neighborhood. You could even incorporate it into your garden with vines or shrubs along the fence. Just be careful, as it can be easy for vines to overtake your fence.
It’s advisable to pick a design that will match the look of not just your home but also the look of your neighborhood. You don’t want your house to stick out like a sore thumb by choosing a fence that clashes with the aesthetics of your neighborhood.
Best fence types to increase curb appeal:
Steel
Iron
Aluminum
Wood
Vinyl
Stone
6. Boosts Property Value
A good-quality fence can increase the resale value of your home and may even help you sell it faster. A fence is one of the first things buyers can see of your home. Spending time and money is one extra thing your home may have over another house.
However, more than any fence will do. You need a fence that buyers would want. Buyers typically seek something that provides security, privacy, and curb appeal.
Best fence types to boost property value:
Wood
Iron
Aluminum
Vinyl
7. Protects Against Weeds and Wind
While not 100% effective, a fence can help deter intruding weeds from your yard. Choose a fence without gaps that touch the ground to help keep unwelcome plant life from springing up on your property.
A fence also can help protect from the wind for some of your more delicate landscaping. A well-chosen fence can help shield property and tender plants from the harsh winds of a springtime storm, summer tropical storm or winter snowstorm.
Best fence types to protect against weeds/wind:
Vinyl
Wood
Iron
Stone
8. Barrier for Sights and Sounds
A tall fence can help absorb noise from the surrounding area, such as loud neighbors or traffic along a nearby road. Anyone who lives near a school, concert venue, restaurant, or generally lively streets may benefit from a noise-buffering fence. Look into a foam-filled aluminum fence to help muffle street noise or noisy neighbors.
Fences are also a great way to block out unsightly scenes beyond your property, such as a neighbor’s trashed backyard that may be overgrown with grass and plants.
Best fence types for sight/sound barriers:
Vinyl
Aluminum
Wood
Shrub
Stone
FAQ About Installing a Fence
Should I DIY?
When deciding whether to hire a contractor to install your fence or do the work yourself, there are many factors to consider.
Budget: You may save money by doing it yourself. But you’ll likely pay for it with your blood, sweat, and tears. And if something goes wrong, it could be a costly mistake.
Knowledge: While hiring a professional fence contractor is unnecessary, they are the experts. They have fence installation down to a science and know local city ordinances, regulations, and permitting.
Customization: While there are ways to make DIY easier, buying a pre-made fence kit or pre-built sections lets you get what you get. There’s no room for customizing for the graze of your land or personal preference.
How Much Does A Fence Cost?
Naturally, many factors will determine how much your fence will cost. The material and the size of the area you are fencing will be the two factors that drive the cost. Fences typically range from $1,330 to $5,550, with a national average of about $3,440. Check out LawnStarter for a privacy fence pricing guide.
How Do I Choose A Contractor?
Do your homework before handing over your hard-earned cash to a contractor.
Read online reviews and estimates from other homeowners in your area. Google are a good resource for customer reviews.
Research the company or contractor on the Hipage website.
Always get an estimate in writing. Any reputable contractor will always provide you with a written contract to review.
Ask about any warranty they may offer.
When to Hire a Professional
Whether you decide to DIY a new fence or call a contractor, you can’t go wrong with installing a fence. If your fence is simply for aesthetic purposes or to protect the things most precious to you, it will ultimately be worth it.
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