Your choice of fence for your home can make a huge difference to its overall aesthetic appeal while also providing enhanced privacy and security. Whether you are looking to increase the feeling of seclusion in your home or garden, want a fence to block a prevailing chilly wind or just want to keep your pets and kids safe in the garden, there is a huge range of options available.
If
you are looking to install a new fence or replace an existing one, read on for
some tips you should consider to help you choose the right fence for your
needs.
Is the point of the fence mostly to improve privacy?
If you are looking to add a fence mainly to improve the sense of privacy and isolation around your home and garden, there are certain styles you should most definitely avoid. Fences with large gaps between the boards will do little to prevent prying eyes peering in - though, of course, you could also add vertically climbing plants to block the spaces. However, as a rule, if you are getting a fence mostly for privacy, you would be far better just choosing a style with little to no spaces.
To work out the height of fence you need, you should get a friend to walk around your outside space with a length of wood or paper while you sit in various spaces around your garden to assess whether neighbors can overlook the different areas.
Do you need a fence or a wall?
Fences are not the only option for adding a boundary around your home and garden so you should think carefully about whether you are better getting a fence or a wall. Often the choice will come down to climate, as stone walls tend to be harder wearing than the plastics or woods commonly used in fence construction. Alternatively, if you are not sure whether you prefer a wall or a fence, you could consider a Gabion fence instead.
Do you need increased privacy only in certain areas?
Many people fit fences to provide increased privacy around hot tubs or seating areas so, rather than keeping the fence at the same height around your garden, it might be an idea to take a stepped approach to the design, increasing and decreasing the height of the fence in strategic places.
Where appropriate, remember the option for glass fencing
In some instances (for example, a roof garden) you may find a glass fence works best to ensure you keep the view but block the wind. Clearly, you need to ensure you use properly treated, thicker glass for this type of fence.
Is the point of the fence to stop your dog from straying?
When
building a fence to protect your dog, it is essential you first work out whether the dog
is a digger or a jumper. You should also bear in mind its tendency to escape -
plus, if it is a jumper, how high it can jump. As an estimate, a fence of
around 3-4ft should be enough for smaller dogs - but each case is different.
Also, if the dog tends to dig, you should ensure the fence goes at least 6”
into the ground or place gravel or concrete around the base of the fence.