How to choose the right fence

Laura Gaskill, Houzz employee

Do you need a new fence for your garden or terrace? Whether you want more privacy in your outdoor area; You’ll need to block out cool winds, obscure the street, or secure your pool. or keep your dogs in (or deer out), we’ve got you covered. Here you will find important information on choosing the right fence based on space and needs.

Gain privacy

If you want real privacy, choose a fence with little to no space between the boards. A closely spaced trellis, when combined with the lush foliage of climbing plants, can be almost as private as a solid material. The height will depend on the slope of your yard and your neighbor’s yard, the location of your seating areas, and applicable local building codes. Try using a piece of paper or cardboard about the level of the fence you are considering and have a friend hold it up as you walk the perimeter of your yard. Stand up and sit in each area of ​​your yard to see if the fence is high enough for your privacy.

Consider going scoreless. If easy access is more important to you than security, avoid the gate altogether and install multiple staggered fences to make room for a path while blocking the view of the street, as shown here.

Find a local landscape designer

Consider a tiered design. If having a tall privacy fence around your yard seems too much to you, consider choosing a stair tread design to get privacy right where you need it. For example, you could have a larger section of fence around your seating area and hot tub, and have a lower fence next to the lawn.

Shield wind

When you need to block a strong breeze but don’t want to lose the light or great views, glass is your best option, as shown on this stunning rooftop terrace. If blocking a view isn’t a problem, any privacy fence will work fine with little to no gaps between the boards. When it comes to the height, note that the fence can be a few feet lower than in an area where people are standing, e.g. For example, around the grill if your primary requirement is to keep the wind away from a seating area.

To feel safe

The most important features of a security fence are a higher height, lack of durability and a stable, lockable gate. Each security fence should be at least 8 feet high, although you can add a few feet of grating to the top of a 6 foot fence for security that doesn’t look quite as imposing. Choose a fence with flush boards and no horizontal rails on the outside to keep potential intruders from climbing on it.

Block a street view

If your home is on a busy street, creating a peaceful back yard starts with the right fence. If you want to let in some light, choose a fence with small gaps between the boards (or even a trellis-like design) and layer lush planting on either side for extra privacy. Or try a frosted glass design as shown here. As with privacy, it can be helpful to test the fence height you are considering before making a commitment.

Keep your dogs in

The first step is to know your dogs. Are you jumpers or excavators? How high can you jump? Are they probably trying to escape from your yard, or are they generally content to rest? A 3 to 4 foot fence might be sufficient for smaller dogs and those who don’t jump. Bigger dogs need something bigger. If your dogs are diggers, bury the fence at least 6 inches underground or place hardscaping along the fence line.

6 Ways You Can Help Your Dog And Your Landscape Play Well Together

Consider blocking out visual stimuli with a solid fence. While almost any type of fence can keep your dog in the yard, you should invest in a solid fence to block out the visual cues (cars), if your dog is excited or likes to bark, pedestrians, cats) that him for Get going.

Keep deer outside

Some deer can jump almost 8 feet high, which makes it quite difficult to keep them out of garden beds with regular fences. A solid privacy fence is ideal as it blocks the deer’s view of your tasty plants. Deer are unlikely to jump into an area if they are not sure that it is safe. If privacy protection is not desired (for example, if you want to see and enjoy your own garden), you can make a regular garden fence taller by attaching a net to higher poles, which creates a larger (but almost invisible) fence. Another option is to make your fence significantly wider by planting large hedges along one side. Deer cannot jump that high when they also have to travel a great distance.

Secure your pool

Even if you don’t have children in your home, it is important to take steps to secure your pool – friends or relatives with children could visit, and neighborhood kids could try to sneak into your pool without your knowledge . Be on the safe side by securing both your yard (with a security fence) and the pool itself. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s home pool safety barrier guidelines recommend the use of a fence that is at least 48 inches high, with a maximum of 1¾ inches between parts, and no holds or kicks that children can use to climb. The gate should close by itself, lock itself with a child-resistant latch and open outward from the pool.

Before you buy this fence …

• Check local building codes and apply for a permit if necessary.
• Find out where your property line is. Hire a surveyor to map it for you if you are not sure.
• Make sure there are no underground utilities in the way.

Find the right fence style for your home